Heath Ledger Dead – Aussie actor Heath Ledger dead from pneumonia and a sleeping pill overdose, dying in his sleep two days after returning from London where he was filming “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.”

Heath Ledger dead from pneumonia and sleeping pills

Initial reports saying “Heath Ledger dead in suicide” were completely wrong. Heath had a couple of prescriptions to treat his severe lung congestion, aka walking pneumonia, and a bottle of prescription sleeping pills, which is not unusual when you just traveled seven time zones the day before.

Heath Ledger on his way to morgue

Heath was found dead in his bed by a housekeeper and a masseuse who both arrived about 3:15 PM today. The masseuse phoned a close friend, a bodyguard for the Olsen twins who is also an EMT and was just around the corner while the housekeeper called 911.

Heath Ledger final ride

EMTs arrived quickly, but Heath Ledger died some time earlier and could not be revived. Michele Williams, mother of his daughter Matilda Rose, was informed and is on her way to New York along with Heath’s family.

Scene inside Heath Ledger's apartment

The lid on the bottle of sleeping pills was loose and they and the other presription bottles on the nightstand were knocked over when the EMTs pulled Ledger from the bed and attempted CPR on the floor, leading to news reports that there were prescription pills and pill bottles scattered about.

Heath Ledger dead at 28
Heath Ledger dead at 28.

Australia’s Prime Minister Paul Rudd said: “It was with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Heath Ledger. It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation’s finest actors in the prime of his life. Heath Ledger’s diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor.”

Heath Ledger became a star in “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Heath and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You

Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson — who cast Ledger to play his son in 2001’s US war of independence epic “The Patriot” — described the 28-year-old actor’s death as “tragic” in a statement.

Heath Ledger and Mel Gibson in The Patriot

“I had such great hope for him,” Gibson said. “He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Heath starred in A Knight's Tale

Australian screen star Nicole Kidman echoed Gibson’s comments in a statement. “What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family.” 

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain

Studio giant Warner Bros. said the entertainment industry had lost a “brilliant actor and an exceptional person.”

“The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news,” Warner Bros chief Alan Horn and Warner Bros Picture Group president Jeff Robinov said in a statement.

“The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Heath Ledger January 19, 2008 in last film role
Heath Ledger in London on January 19, 2008 filming his final role…

And that’s the sad news on Heath Ledger dead.

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