Ledger news sweeps across Sundance
Via Blackberry, AIM and text message, the news of the death of actor Heath Ledger is slowly sweeping across the film conclave.
In the bar of the Yarrow Hotel, one woman raced in and asked the innkeeps to switch the TVs to the news, where the first reports were coming in. "He's my favorite actor," she said. A slow trickle followed to check for reports. Out in the lobby, people are hunched over Blackberries looking for news and exchanging shrugs, frowns and "did you hear"s with new arrivals.
From the MySpace cafe, Andrew Brin reports: "All of a sudden people were hushed and whispering. It became a very small room where it was obvious for a moment that everyone was on the same page at the same time. All the computers were switching to CNN.com."
Brin himself remembers knowing Ledger slightly from when he was shooting a film in L.A. "He seemed like a nice guy," Brin recalls.
What a world, eh? I guess his work was done here. His luminous performance in "Brokeback" did more for gay rights than all the politicians put together.
Thanks, buddy.
Posted by: roberto | January 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
how sad to loose a young very talented actor. that will be missed in the spot light. i send my condonce to his wife, precious daugher and the rest of the family at this time of sorrow. RIP Heath.
Posted by: Griselle Ortega | January 22, 2008 at 03:14 PM
"What a world?" "His work was done." He destroyed his own life with drugs for crying out loud. Pretty tragic for his family if you ask me. And Roberto righs "Thanks Buddy"?? Bizarre...
Posted by: Michael | January 22, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Let's not be so quick to judge. He just died for crying out loud. They said it was sleeping pills. Working long nights on a movie set probably gave him insomnia, so he got sleeping pills to help him sleep. You don't know what the circumstances were. he was a hard-working soul who made a tragic mistake.
Posted by: Jody | January 22, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Sad, very sad. With up and coming films, a new babe and such - I certainly hope it wasn't a suicide. A loss. Just watch the new Batman trailer. It would've been fun, so fun and he would've broken back into the blockbusters...
Posted by: Morgan | January 22, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Of course if it was alcohol michael wouldn't be *&$! about it. Let freedom ring...
Posted by: roberto | January 22, 2008 at 04:01 PM
So tragic , noticing from interviews he seemed a lonely and uncomfortable with his fame I really hope he is at peace my heart goes out to his Michelle Williams and their daughter I can't even imagine the pain she's feeling at this moment.
Posted by: june | January 22, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Brad Renfro now Heath Ledger. I can't believe it!
Posted by: Kevin | January 22, 2008 at 06:16 PM
A suicide just doesn't make sense with Heath.
Let it be with all the harsh comments wait until the coroners report comes out. He was an amazing actor and he will live on through his daughter .
The heavens must have needed an angel quickly , we should all think about how life is so precious and make each moment count.
RIP heath ledger .
Posted by: candice | January 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I can't believe it. This is a real tragedy. He was such an amazing actor that I keep thinking he's just displaying his art and will show up somewhere...alive...
Posted by: hoot | January 22, 2008 at 09:52 PM
As an Australian it saddens me to lose Heath Ledger one of my brothers and truly great Australian who I could call a friend,,,I knew him and had many a beer with him in Sydney in times gone bye...he was a great guy....heart felt sympathy to his parents...Dad Kim and sister....Too many Australian talents leaving this earth early...Michael Hutchence now Heath..
God bless mate..garry.
Posted by: garry | January 23, 2008 at 05:41 AM
What a tragedy! I pray our young people will discover that the empty space in their hearts can only be filled by God. "When you've tried everything, and everything has failed, try Jesus." May God have mercy on this precious soul.
Posted by: Idee Davis | January 23, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Im a heath fan from India...ive been distracted for 2 full days now and cant seem to get over it...Ledger is a legend ...and his performance in the remarkable Brokeback is the stuff of cinematic history...its funny...how there is Brokeback the film and Brokeback the real life story of Jake-heeth- Michelle and none of this would have happened if not for the seredipity of them doing this film...and now with jake as the godfather this drama of brokeback simply seems to have a life of it own...i hope its never going to be tragic again...I will u heath...i will miss u so much...i always hoped id see ur directorial debut...and now ur gone...may u be blessed by the greater powers out there..
Posted by: Deepak | January 24, 2008 at 01:48 AM
I have been so upset since I heard. I was looking forward to his next film, since I have loved his performances in every movie I have seen him in. He was different, special, very skilled at slipping into his character. And he was grounded, seemed such a gentleman, goofy, I have enjoyed hearing more about him as a person. Normally I don't seek to know an actor's personal life, respecting that it needs to stay private... But I have only grown to respect him more. I hope his family is comforted, knowing that he was so well-liked. What a terrible loss. My heart goes out to his family, especially his daughter, and the mother of his child. I'm so sorry. May God fill you with peace and comfort you in this time of sorrow.
Posted by: Mimi Oden | January 24, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Thank you Heath. You will always be remembered. See you at the crossroads!
Posted by: Dale, Toronto | January 24, 2008 at 01:05 PM