Heath Ledger's family and friends appear at 'Dark Knight' premiere

Heath Ledger's family was understandably low-key at the premiere of "The Dark Knight"  Monday night in New York. The film featured, at the end, a tribute to their son, who died in January of a prescription drug overdose.

While the family skipped the red (actually, black) carpet, the late actor's mum, Sally Bell, her husband and Heath's older sis, Kate, his dad, Kim Ledger, and his wife, Ines, waved to the hundreds of fans.

Afterward, his dad gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Heath's costars - Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart - were more outspoken.

"Working with Heath was fantastic," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader. "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that. He's a hell of a talent and created a Joker that's very iconic and one that will become a classic portrayal of the ages."

(A quick aside: I saw the film last night at the IMAX in Universal CityWalk. Even though I thought I'd had just about enough of the Joker, after seeing all the DK trailers, Ledger's performance was shocking and nothing short of mesmerizing. I swear I will see watch it several more times just to see every move, every subtle facial expression, every lick of his scarred lips. And I bet other viewers will feel the same way. Now back to the story.)

Michael Caine spent almost an hour on the black carpet.

The actor, 75, told the Dish Rag that he connected with his character, Alfred, because he is a “father figure” to Bale's Bruce Wayne.

 "When we were sitting down between takes, he was completely ordinary," Caine, talking about Heath, told People. "He wasn't preparing himself or saying 'Please leave me alone, I've gotta do this.' Instead he was talking to me. We would sit and chat and have a cup of coffee, then suddenly they'd say, 'We're ready, Heath,' and he'd go straight into the Joker. His energy was astonishing, especially when it came from this kind of calm. He's certainly the best villain I've ever seen."

Nestor Carbonell, at left, aka, Eyeliner Man - who plays Gotham's very Antonio Villaraigosa-esque-looking mayor but is best known for his "Lost" role, talked about working with the actor. 

“We were in a scene where I announce something to a number of police officers and he [Ledger] suddenly starts clapping sarcastically and it was totally unscripted. Immediately, I said to myself, ‘He got this role down.' That absolutely made an impression on me.' "

Also at the premiere: Lauren Conrad, Karina Smirnoff, Edie Falco, Emile Hirsch, Mariska Hargitay, "Gossip Girl" stars Ed Westwick and Blake Lively, wearing ... black shorts(?).

 What do you think of Blake's black shorts and gold pumps? Hot or not? Check out the "Dark Knight" fashion action...

Red carpet reporting: Matthew Smith
Photos: WireImage

Photos: Blake Lively, her "GG" costar Ed Westwick and ... Lauren Conrad, who looks inexplicably hotter than Blake. How is that even possible?
WireImage

Comments

[ck]

I don't understand fashion, but I do understand Blake Lively's legs.

[ryan Thompson]

why is lauren conrad able to go to these things? shes not a damn celebrity! id bone her though

[Jenny]

Hear a beautiful song written in tribute to Heath Ledger at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZDbNIa2jGU

[stephanie]

On several reviews I have read about the movie, people say the whole theater broke into applause at the site of Ledger's name in the credits. Hoping his family experienced that in the premier....