Should Hollywood clean up Heath's legacy?

Is Hollywood whitewashing Heath Ledger's biography?

"Entertainment Tonight/The Insider" paid a hefty chunk of cash for a video that reportedly shows Ledger doing drugs at the Chateau Marmont in January 2007. In a clip that has been widely teased, Ledger is seen talking about smoking five joints a day for 20 years.

But after an e-mail from the actor's publicity firm, ID PR, was circulated throughout Hollywood, both shows decided not to air the video.

My inside sources say the decision was less about taste and more about a threatened lawsuit.

"Out of respect for Heath Ledger's family, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider have decided not to run the Heath Ledger video which has been circulating in the world media,"' said a statement on the show's website.

But is this a good precedent to set for so-called entertainment news shows?

I'm a huge fan of Heath Ledger. I first talked to the then-unknown young Australian actor for USA Today about his role in Mel Gibson's "The Patriot."  And I was fortunate enough to speak with him often during "Brokeback Mountain's" sweep of the 2006 awards season.

I found him to be gentle, sensitive, sweet-natured, incredibly talented. He also seemed incredibly vulnerable, a lot like Johnny Depp.

That said, I'm also a fan of the media serving the public with information that might help prevent unnecessary tragedy. If the public knew that Ledger was struggling with addiction, is it possible that resulting media scrutiny could have forced Ledger's loved ones to get him the care he needed?

Dr. Drew Pinsky had viewed the tape and was interviewed to offer perspective.

"I have treated many celebrities and many of them have been functioning at a very high level using a lot of substances. The reality is that when a 28-year-old seemingly healthy man, whom we love and respect, dies suddenly, there is a reason. His death plays upon our deepest fears. We owe it to the public to try to answer the question why. I am convinced that if this heart-wrenching video had aired, it would have gotten through and had a positive effect on young people in America. Perhaps it could have even saved lives," Pinsky told "Entertainment Tonight."

I watched a very under-the-influence Brad Renfro make quite a scene at a swanky Hollywood party several years ago. Not only did none of his celebrity friends, or the publicists throwing the bash, find his stumbling, slurring, falling down and bleeding nose unusual, but not one reporter covering the party reported it. I tried to. But it was edited out of my then-newspaper's party item.

Hollywood publicists, managers and agents can often be the worst enablers. They are the spin-meisters, part of the protective circle that surrounds stars and tries to keep any bad behavior -- drugs, spousal abuse, drinking -- out of the news.

Why? Because that is what they're paid to do. Make no mistake, they make money off celebrities just like the paparazzi.

The big problem I have with Hollywood's time-honored "Cone of Celebrity Silence" is this: When drug use or addiction goes unreported, unspoken and unnoticed, the addict continues to use drugs without the consequences needed to help them hit bottom and seek help. And very often, these people die.

And when the truth about a celebrity's drug use isn't reported, that person's millions of fans never know how dangerous drug use -- often perceived as glamorous and cool -- really is.

So I don't think showing a video of Heath, reportedly showing him doing drugs and talking about his use, would be doing Ledger's memory a disservice.

Perhaps it's a little too soon and feels a little too sensational. But as the days go by, if I were his parents, or his girlfriend and mother of his child, I would want his fans to know how evil, deadly and dangerous drugs can be.

Revealing possible drug use doesn't take away from his talent or his legacy. It spreads awareness.

So think what you want about "The Insider" teasing the video and attempting to air it. And say what you will about TMZ dogging Britney Spears. Sure, the paps are making money off the videos and photos of Britney. I'm not saying their motives are noble. But consider for a moment that the resulting media attention might have spared Spears from many more months, perhaps years, of confusion, unhappiness, questionable behavior or worse.

Had TMZ not videotaped her high-speed driving antics, her erratic mood swings, her British accent, those kids might still be riding around with her -- and probably not in child-safety seats. And she might not be in UCLA Medical Center right now, with her parents around her, finally getting the medical help she desperately needs.

So if you want to honor Heath's memory, don't censor yourself from reading or viewing new information about the causes of his untimely and unnecessary death. In my opinion, drug abuse is an important public discussion. But please post your comments on this topic if you disagree.   

Below you can read the statement released by Heath's former publicity agency IDPR....

Here's the e-mail from the publicists:

Subject: Entertainment Tonight and Heath Ledger - FYI

Tonight Entertainment Tonight/The Insider are previewing an extremely distasteful segment regarding Heath Ledger. The segment centers around a two-year old video ET purchased for a large sum of money in the hopes of stirring up a salacious and exploitive story about Heath, which would win them big ratings on the first day of sweeps. The two outlets did not even have the courtesy to wait until after Heath's burial to broadcast this segment. They intend to air the full segment tomorrow.

For the sake of his grieving family and friends, his child, and common decency, we hope to pressure Entertainment Tonight and The Insider to do the right thing and pull the spot. This is not journalism, it is sensationalism. It is a shameful exploitation of the lowest kind, to a talented and gentle soul, undeserving of such treatment.

We are asking the Hollywood community to pressure Entertainment Tonight to pull the segment. Please take action so that Heath's family can grieve in peace. Please forward this message to everyone you know and ask them to personally call Linda Bell Blue at Entertainment Tonight and Brad Bessey at Paramount to express their outrage and request Entertainment Tonight to pull the distasteful spot. Their information is listed below.

Thank you.

Photo: WireImage

Comments

[Patricia]

How many designer vodka launch parties have you covered, Elizabeth?

Alcohol kills people too.

Why all this focus on drugs and NOT alcohol? You sound like some empty sloganeer.

People like myself on the verge of losing family members to alcoholism just don't rate around you, do we?

If you're going to campaign against deadly addictions, then don't forget the ones that YOU help enable, dear.

[Jay Rancho SantaFe]

Let the video rip. It might truly help someone. Sorry for the family but it is such a big world. People need to know a little more about these celebrities and substance abuse -- not to show the video fuels the notion that such people are bullet-proof. They are not. Toxicology test results are pending, as they always say.

[I agree]

Amen. My thoughts exactly; I agree with you. I think knowing the truth could potentially save someone else's life. We can blindly patronize him or learn a lesson, and still appreciate his movies that he's left us. Thanks for the article.

[sanity]

you ask: "If the public knew that Ledger was struggling with addiction, is it possible that resulting media scrutiny could have forced Ledger's loved ones to get him the care he needed?"

The idea that this information about Mr. Ledger's drug use could have saved him from himself (if drugs were in fact the cause of death - it has not yet be determined to be so) is ludicrous. We have no idea what his loved ones attempted to do or not do to help him. In point of fact, we do not know he needed "help" at all.

I checked out the video on youtube so I could respond to Dr. Pinsky's comments. It never ceases to amaze me when physicians feel it appropriate to discuss the health of someone who is not their patient. As to his suggestion that the airing of this particular video "could have even saved lives" well, it's too ridiculous a comment to respond to in a brief manner.

This video holds no value to anyone struggling with addiction. This video was going to be played for one reason - greed. People with addictions do not need to be fodder for these entertainment magazine shows. They need support, not humiliation.

As for Brad Renfro, that was a terrible loss as well. And Ms. Snead seems to think if only she reported on his stumbling, slurring, bloodied nose escapade a few years ago, maybe things would have been different. Oh, yeah, that's right - you tried to report it but it was edited out. Look on the bright side - you got to report it now and also claim some sort of moral high ground. With friends like you...

[Rob]

The video does not show Mr Ledger doing drugs. That is not true.

[may]

I agree that we should know the fact--Heather may have a drug addiction problem, but I don't agree that we should broadcast a video, which violates someone else’s privacy. I haven’t seen this video so I cannot comment on if this particular video should be broadcasted. I still believe that even celebrities deserve their privacy and dignity. I don't know about this particular video, if it was recorded under the condition that Heather knew it would not go public. As a result, he felt he could express himself freely. If this was the case, then I don’t feel it is fair to be broadcasted now. The answer simply is—if Heather didn’t think this video should go public when he was alive, then his wish should be respected even though he is dead. In terms of those mainstream media, I simply don’t believe that they want to broadcast this video for the sake of public good, but poll rating and profits.

[gidget]

Hollywood is full of double standards. Remember Anna Nicole Smith? Remember the pathetic video of a pregnant, obviously under the influence, messy clown-faced former model, slurry her words and acting crazy? did that help anyone? nope. it didn't help anyone at all. for if it did, then perhaps Renfro and Ledger would still be alive, if they both did in fact die of drug overdoses (and I say IF since the autopsy reports are NOT in and anything else is purely speculative). No, these videos don't serve anybody but the horrible entertainment shows and the public's morbid curiosity.
and why the double standard? why didn't anyone stand up and ask these shows to not show that Anna Nicole video? It all boils down to their status and representation. Oscar winner vs. Playboy model. ID/PR vs. whoever repped Anna Nicole. ID/PR is very powerful and reps a slew of A-list clients. Anna Nicole's reps? Not sure who they were, but they obviously didn't care. I personally don't want to see the video. I don't care. He's dead. He's not coming back. Matilda has no dad. That's the tragedy.

[mary candace cavanaugh]

Twenty-somethings often party.
What else is new?

It's a time of life that's wide open to exploring the world and ourselves
in all kinds of ways and settings.
Just how it is.

[Sandyt]

Heath Ledger may had a problem. But why assume that was what did him in? Why can't we be patient and wait for the drug tests report, which will be out in a few days time. Why are we so anxiously jump to conclusions beyond evidence? The video was taken 2 years ago. And in it, Heath acknowledge his behavior and may well have conscious to make a change for better. He is gone now and he would never be able to defend himself. Why can't the media let him RIP?

[Amy]

I think the family has the right to decide whether they want him to be the "example" for others. If the family wanted a platform to preach Heath as an example, there would be a farther reach on Oprah's show than some silly entertainment show.

[She..]

You know.. In time there will be a true hollywood story and we will find out eveything everyone has to say allegedly anyway.. Im sure alot of people are curious.. not because they care.. unfortunatly.. just because they are curious.. and the thing is.. its not the shows fault people are curious..

they just are..

Im sure everyone is sorry for the loss of the family members.. but keep in mind when you enter into a public line of work like acting.. and the notaritety this level of acting brings with it.. the celebrity goes along with it.. You hafta sorta accept that people have these curiosities..

let the tape roll i think it goes along with Princess Diana's last interview.. If he didnt want people to know.. he would'nt have given the interview? or at least i don't think he would have :)

it will probably be watched more too..

and if some good comes from it.. well then all the better..

I hear Oscar Wilde singing about moderation in the back room right about now.. So i guess il leave it at that..

[Chadimus]

Rating grab - most definitely. And Dr. Drew, Dr. Phil, and all the rest of those phony docs who sit around waiting to provide media comments and appear on CNN are the worst of the bunch.

HOWEVER - This guy lived though publicity all everyone who aspires to be does. So why shouldn't his death get the same sort of coverage? That email from the publicists is so wrong-headed. If one of those vampires would have exposed this drug abusing father long ago, they wouldn't have to send such e-mails. But he's an ACTOR and he's tortured so everyone protects and enables and when death comes knocking it's the media who are the vampires. Give me a break.

This guy OD'd and died a senseless death and left a 2 year old without a father. Where is the decency and shamefulness in that? Oh right, he's a movie star... those rules don't count.

I appreciated his work, but I appreciate the bus driver's work too and neither get a pass when they over-indulge and leave a hole in their loved one's lives. It was senseless and it probably could have been avoided. If the PR firm had put as much effort in protecting their client's health as they did his image, he might still be alive. Think about it.

[Kate]

heath wasn't doing drugs on the video. And ET sat on this video for a year before deciding to air it now to expoilt his death for ratings. How could anyone possible be a fan of that? More non-famous people do drugs than famouse ones. Why does nobody care about them?

[Sheila]

Excellent comment Chadimus. Maybe if Heath's publicists cared more about his welfare when he was alive, instead of their paycheck, he would still be here today. I do think the author of this article should be commended for at least speaking out about how the more seedy aspects of Hollywood life are covered up. Until more entertainment outlets expose the truth, young stars will continue to die.

[are you kidding?]

I can't believe you've bought into this "cautionary tale" lie being spun by ET. If you think they procured this tape for any reason other than ratings, you are delusional or incredibly naive.

Famous people have been killing themselves with drugs for years. Has that ever stopped anyone else from trying them? The footage isn't remotely shocking, and it's nothing that will scare kids away from drugs and alcohol. If anything, it's simply sad.

We don't even know the cause of death. If it turns out to be natural causes, the release of this tape will look pretty evil and pointless.

You raise a good point about publicists. But aren't paparazzi, tabloids and media outlets also out for a buck, first and foremost? Everyone in this game is trying to profit off someone else, including Dr. Drew, who is clearly a crass opportunist.

[Bobster]

Hollywood's flacks and agents have ALWAYS covered up misbehavior by the stars. It goes back to Hollywood's golden age and probably even before. I agree with this column 100%. Perhaps Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, etc. would still be around if their drug abuse had been exposed earlier.

[John]

This whole line of questioning leads to only one conclusion, that you believe he deserved to die because he did drugs. Otherwise what are you really saying? Ledger's death is not a lesson to the average anyone because it is overshadowed by his celebrity (to which you contribute and profit from). Rich, famous, white guys in Hollywood don't translate as an effective deterrent. In the eyes of the media and the public who feeds off the celebrity machine, this is simply the price of fame.

[PGM]

For a moment, I thought that this article would be a call to quit speculating around Heath Ledger’s life and death. How wrong I was. Not only does Snead take a maliciously edited video of the actor at a party where people snorted cocaine as proof that Ledger was a drug addict and his demise a direct result of it, but goes as far to make the preposterous suggestion that tabloids save lives. What’s next? A call to nominate TMZ for the Nobel Peace Prize? Did the photo of River Phoenix in his casket curb drug abuse in the 90’s? If anything, it made many people feel like they needed a drink or two after seeing it, and gave the Phoenix family even more grief.

I’m not saying that Ledger didn’t do drugs. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he indeed started smoking pot when he was 6, but I would be even less surprised if the clip was edited to make it SEEM like he confessed to smoking “five joints a day for 20(!) years” for the sake of ratings. What I’m saying is that I (we) don’t know, and it’s clearly none of anybody’s business other than the people who were close to him.

This has gotten so out of control that I’m almost wishing they would show that whole damn video already, because I can’t imagine the unedited footage being more hurtful or damaging than the speculation encouraged by both that awful and tacky ET teaser, and irresponsible reporting such as this.

[Frank R. Douglas]

I agree with the perspective of Ms. Snead that the public should see the video because it could be a lesson for all about the dangers of illegal drug use but also the truth or at least part of it, about Heath Ledger. Drugs were involved in his death whether legal or not. This may have been a reason for the breakup with Ms. Williams. This may have been why an ex-child star was called instead of 9.1.1. This may be why Heath's father was surveying his apartment instead of getting ready to go with Heath to Australia. Trying to cover up related issues and argue privacy is just incredible. Heath Ledger was a public figure. You lose privacy when you are found dead and you are young and apparently healthy. I think the video would be nicer than a body bag and an autopsy. I was a fan too of Heath Ledger. I think he will become a legend as great as James Dean because he was so very very talented. That is what makes me so upset that we will not get to have decades of his talent and why, drugs legal and illegal need to be reduced and eliminated from our lives. Showing the video which I have seen on the internet should be shown as it shows first how casual some treat it and then how even Heath says his girlfriend would be so upset by it. So in my drawn out way I agree with the article by Ms. Snead.

[Jason Gibson]

I've yet to see anyone query Heath's supposed comments in this video about smoking marijuana. "I used to smoke 5 joints a day for 20 years." Hmm he was 28 when he died, and "used to" smoke pot. So he'd been smoking 5 joints a day since age 7? Really??

Also all this speculation that illegal drugs are implicated in his death despite no evidence of them being found in his apartment is starting to get a bit tasteless and hysterical. My reading of the evidence (as we know it so far) suggests it is much more likely a combination of sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication, stress, exhaustion and insomnia are responsible. If we need to put a romantic spin on it, his devotion to his craft and his daughter and his ill-ease with the celebrity lifestyle and expectations pushed him over the edge.

Perhaps we expect something a little more hardcore from our young stars? The full story of Heath's demise is yet to be revealed, but in the interim this trashing of his reputation simply compounds the tragedy of his loss.

I really think people need to back the f*#k off until the post mortem is released.

[PGM]

.

Ok, here's the deal: if there's anybody out there who can prove that drug use decreased as a result of the National Enquirer publishing a centerfold photograph of River Phoenix in his casket 14 years ago, I will donate a month's rent to every tabloid magazine sold at supermarket check-out lines, and will start a campaign to get them all nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for their community service. I'm not kidding.

.

[James]

I was a huge fan of Heath Ledger and very disappointed about his sudden death. However Hollywood is doing a disservice to its own community by trying to suppress this video. Their community is out of control and a danger to themselves and others. Yet they do nothing to slowdown the train wrecks that are the lives of young Hollywood stars. Shame on the publicist for pretending to want protect Heath's legacy. It was their protection of his life of lies that killed him.

Best of luck to the surviving clients of IDPR- if you are truly lucky your publicist will not do the bang up job that they did for Mr. Ledger

[Passerby]

I agree with Patricia's comment about alcohol. Media purposely avoid talking about the ugly truth about alcohol, alcoholism, and its enourmous impact on our society. The fact that our media (print, web, tv, etc) makes billions of dollars from beer/wine/liquor advertising has guaranteed that alcohol and its costs to our society will be glossed over.

[Joseph Ho]

A few years ago when there was much news about Ben Affleck having a problem with alcoholism, the late Heath Ledger was widely reported to be one of Ben's drinking partners. Now nobody mentioned that any more. Do people have a rather short memory?

[Lynda]

Please, please, someone show us celebrities and role models modeling GOOD behavior.

Sadly, kids and others don't always think about what they see - they seek to copy what their heroes are doing.

There is a reason companies pay millions to have their products shown in movies - in the hope, and knowledge that people will copy what their idols do.

The media's focus on bad behavior is part of the problem. Sorry, but with their power comes responsibility. They have the power to help - but don't. Senasationalism for $$$

Heath is a tragedy for his family and all of us who will not get to enjoy and appreciate his brilliant and increasing talent.

Showing celebrities being way too human doesn't help. The more we see of drug abuse etc, the worse it is becoming - no better. TV sheds a bright light on things and makes them seem wonderful to many people. The light hides the darkness.

Let's leave all these tragedies in the dark. Don't let's make them bright and sparkly and larger than life on our giant TV screens - for the sake of our children.