Heath Ledger Dies from drug overdose

[Silentscream]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222008...ead_916418.htm

January 22, 2008 -- Actor Heath Ledger was found dead today in his Broome Street apartment, apparently from a drug overdose.

Ledger, 28, was well known for his role in "Brokeback Mountain," and he stars in the upcoming "The Dark Knight" Batman movie as the Joker.

He split last year from wife, Michelle Williams, with whom he has a daughter, Matilda.

His apartment was strewn with sleeping pills and it was unclear if it was an intentional or accidental death.

His housekeeper tried to wake Ledger up for a massage appointment and found him unresponsive at 3:20 p.m.

She then called paramedics at 3:26 p.m. and father of one was pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m.

Ledger's early career as an actor was marked by small roles in several independent features in his home country of Australia.

He broke onto the international movie scene in 1999 with his turn as the brooding high-school heart-throb who captures Julia Stiles' attention in "10 Things I Hate About You." After starring roles in "The Patriot," "A Knight's Tale," and "The Brothers Grimm," Ledger earned critical acclaim with his poignant performance as a gay cattle rancher in director Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.

In 2007, he appeared in the independent film "I'm Not There," as one of many incarnations of Bob Dylan. He recently wrapped filming on 'The Dark Knight,' the sequel to 'Batman Begins,' in which he plays the villainous Joker. His most recent role was in director Terry Gilliam's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,' which is listed as still "in production" on imdb.com.

Ledger's love life earned him as many headlines as his acting career. He has been romantically linked to such A-list starlets as Naomi Watts and Heather Graham. He has a daughter, Matilda Rose, with actress Michelle Williams. The couple, praised for their down-to-earth lifestyle in Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens, announced their split earlier this year.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good post very sad, but something that people need to be aware of OTC medication dangers.

[BobTheGreat]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movi...rss_topstories

[top]Actor Heath Ledger dies at 28

• <LI class=cnnhiliteheader>Story Highlights
• Police: Ledger's housekeeper found him unresponsive in a Manhattan apartment
• Ledger was declared dead at about 3:30 p.m.
• The Academy Award nominated actor was the father of a young daughter
• Police: Pills that appear to be over-the-counter sleeping medication found near bed

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday of a possible drug overdose in a Lower Manhattan apartment, the New York Police Department said.
The Academy Award nominated actor was 28.
"Pills were found in the vicinity of the bed," police spokesman Paul Browne told CNN.
"This is being looked at as a possible overdose, but that is not confirmed yet."
The pills appeared to be over-the-counter sleeping medication, said police spokeswoman Barbara Chen.
Ledger was unresponsive when he was found by a housekeeper who had gone to wake him for an appointment with a masseuse in the Soho apartment, Browne said.
Ledger was declared dead at about 3:30 p.m., Browne said. Watch a report about Ledger's death »
A crowd of onlookers, photographers and reporters gathered outside the apartment building after news of Ledger's death was reported. Police officers were guarding the doors.
Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, and named Heathcliff Andrew after the main characters of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." He began acting at a local theater as a child.
Ledger's first American film was the teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999, and he immediately attracted attention from Hollywood. He passed up several scripts before taking a role in the Revolutionary War drama "The Patriot" in 2000 and "A Knight's Tale" in 2001. He also played a supporting role in "Monster's Ball," among other films. See a photo gallery of Ledger's life and career »
"In a way I was spoon-fed a career," he told the Glasgow Herald in 2005. "It was fully manufactured by a studio that believed it could put me on their posters and turn me into a product. ... I hadn't figured out properly how to act, and all of a sudden I was being thrown into these lead roles."
But Ledger was perhaps best known for his 2005 portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain," about two cowboys who had a secret romantic relationship. The role earned him an Oscar nomination.
"I felt that choices were being made for me, so I feel this has been my time now to find the good stories and test myself," Ledger told the Glasgow Herald in the 2005 interview. "It has been an interesting year, where I finally have a sense of accomplishment."
Asked how he felt about filming love scenes with another man, Ledger said he and his co-star Jake Gyllenhaal simply focused on their roles.
"We can't say that we weren't nervous about it," Ledger told Oprah Winfrey in 2006. "But once the first take was over, it's like, 'OK. So what? It's kissing another human being. How are we going to finish this scene? Let's get on with it and let's get out of here.' "
In a written statement, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it mourns Ledger's death, adding that his portrayal of Del Mar "changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways."
Ledger has a daughter, Matilda Rose, born in 2005 to his then-girlfriend, Michelle Williams, who played his on-screen wife, Alma, in "Brokeback Mountain." The couple have since separated.
"He was just so respected in the industry," said Kim Serafin, senior editor of In Touch Weekly.
"It's just horribly tragic. He was just a fine actor and a good person, so this is horribly sad and very unexpected."

Police: Pills that appear to be over-the-counter sleeping medication found near bed

If this was the cause of death, it just goes to show how the general public underestimates the safety of otc drugs. The only otc "sleeping pill" I can think of is Diphenhydramine and that would take a pretty big dose to be letal(not to say he knew shit about drugs). Maybe in combination with some other meds or winning the death lottery.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good follow up more thorough RIP Heath

[Ryu]

I just heard, at least he got to finish the Dark Knight before he died which will in some way server as a legacy

[chemlove]

First of all best wishes to his family, I know they need all the support they can get at such a dark time. Yes i agree OTC's are completely not looked at for their power especially in the hands of someone who could be (I'm not saying he was) depressed or has any type of manic order (which I don't think he did) but none the less this is a really sad day

I'll always remember Heath for his memorable roles in 10 things, and one of my favorite movies of all time A knight's tale. I have heard from many people that his role as the Joker will completely open eyes and really excite people, I just really really wish he was there to see all the praise he will get and to see the world with one more child with out a father is really sad.

RIP and best wishes to his family, friends and daughter.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good comment & warm words

[Bajeda]

Originally Posted by chemlove

I have heard from many people that his role as the Joker will completely open eyes and really excite people, I just really really wish he was there to see all the praise he will get and to see the world with one more child with out a father is really sad.

I thought they hadn't filmed all (or even most) of his scenes and they have to reshoot with a new actor. Maybe I'm mistaken, but thats what I heard.

[umbra1010]

Originally Posted by Bajeda

I thought they hadn't filmed all (or even most) of his scenes and they have to reshoot with a new actor. Maybe I'm mistaken, but thats what I heard.

From what I have read, they did finish all the scenes. I have only seen him play in the Patriot and he was good. Sad to see him go.

[zera]

From what I read the sleeping pills discovered were Ambiens (Zolpidem). If indeed it was an overdose, he would have had to take a shitload and probably mix with booze.

[BobTheGreat]

Originally Posted by zera

From what I read the sleeping pills discovered were Ambiens (Zolpidem). If indeed it was an overdose, he would have had to take a shitload and probably mix with booze.

Why did the first artcles say otc? ambien is script only. Like I said with the death lottery, he could have had an allergic reaction or done some other drug like opiates that would have all been eaten and in his system before the OD.

His death is a tragedy and not to trivialize it but how many people died from famine in third world countries or homless people froze on the streets that night? Like Stalin said, "A death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic."

[Nature Boy]

A sad story and what a waste. Ledger was a pretty talented actor. Somehow I don't suspect it was a suicidal overdose. It may have been an accidental OD or some sort of unforeseen physical reaction as a result of whatever pills he was taking. One thing's for sure though, that new Batman movie is gonna haul in buckets of revenue when it gets released.

[grandbaby]

Dammit, that guy owed me fifty bucks! Now I'll never get it back...

Seriously, though, that's too bad. He was the best Dylan in I'm Not There, by at least two lengths. And Brad Pitt's still alive. Where's the justice?

[BobTheGreat]

http://www.people.com/people/article...fullcontentcnn

Drugs Found on Rolled-Up $20 Bill Near Ledger
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2008 02:50 PM EST
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2008 07:10 PM EST UPDATED


Tests found no drug residue on a rolled-up $20 bill found near Heath Ledger's body, police said Wednesday.

A source had said white powder was found on the bill – but authorities later said a drug test came up negative.

Police did find prescription medication near the body of the Brokeback Mountain star, said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said during a press conference.

"Some of them were sleeping pills, in essence, and some other drugs there as well. ... We are going to wait for the toxicology report."

The Associated Press reports that six different types of prescription drugs were found in the apartment, including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills.

Meanwhile, Ledger's body has been released to a New York City funeral home. Arrangements have not been disclosed.

According to WCBS-TV's Web site, several packets containing an unknown substance were also inside the Soho apartment where Ledger was discovered Tuesday.

The TV report stressed that it is not known whether Ledger, 28, owned the substances in question or if he even ingested them.

So now its otc to script and sounds like some kind of benzo but who knows since ever reporter has a different story....

[~lostgurl~]

He played a fantastic heroin addict in "Candy" I wonder why that wasn't mentioned? Maybe because it too closely resembled his true life? There has to be more to the story than just ambien. A great actor, I feel sad for his family and close friends, as with any accidental overdose, there can be a lot of stigma attached that can take away what should be support from people.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good post, Candy was a good film

[BeachBabeluvinlife]

It's sad to see one of my fellow aussie's pass over like this. He certainly had talent that won't be forgotten. R.I.P mate. May his family grieve in peace too.

[Mescaloid]

I've read he was working on the new Terry Gilliam movie "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus". And that maybe Johnny Depp will assume the role.

Best wishes to his family.

[molly_asher]

Originally Posted by Silentscream

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222008...ead_916418.htm

I love the way its been printed in the paper as a drugs overdose.

Personally I think there is a difference to a drugs overdose and taking a overdose. When you take a drugs overdose you dont mean to, when you pop something like sleeping pills or pain killers you mean to do it as it always states on the boxes how many you need to take.

When you hear he died of a drugs overdose you automatically think heroin or cocaine. Not this guy. No it looks like he took to many sleeping pills on purpose to end his life, I think he meant to do it (poor thing) I might add. He must of had some mejor worries in his life to do that.

My point is he was no druggy like the news and that papers print.

Do you understand what im trying to say.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Nope

[lulz]

According to the Australian Daily Telegraph, he was in posession of a laundry list of benzos and sleeping pills:

Ambien
Xanax
Valium
Ativan
Lunesta
Restoril (temazepam)

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...015791,00.html

When I first heard he died of a drug overdose and was found with pills around his body, my first guess was opiates. Then again, perhaps these benzos and sleeping pills are not the drugs he ODd on. But normally benzos are fairly safe drugs, unless taken in large doses along with alcohol, this is why they replaced barbiturates as I understand it.

[FuBai]

His name's Heath? I thought it was Keith, but that shows how much interest I have in actors I suppose. Anyway, I was reading in the Sunday Times that he was "obssesed" by a folk singer who died aged 26, an article which can be found here

Here is the text:

Originally Posted by The Sunday Times

HEATH LEDGER, the actor whose sudden death at 28 is under investigation in New York, was planning a film biography of Nick Drake, the cult 1970s British folk singer, whose death had similarities to his own.
Ledger, co-star of Brokeback Mountain, made an amateur video for the last song Drake wrote before, according to a Warwickshire coroner, he killed himself aged 26 with antidepressant pills in 1974.
In the disturbing video for the song Black Eyed Dog, named after Sir Winston Churchill’s “black dog” phrase for depression, Ledger used a hand-held camera to film himself slowly drowning in a bath.
Like Drake, Ledger was shy in public, last appearing at a New York nightclub called the Beat-rice Inn on Sunday wearing a ski mask. And like Drake he was found in his bed at home after taking prescription antidepressants, which has given rise to suicide rumours.
Dr Michael Baden, former chief pathologist for the city of New York, said the number of such pills needed to kill a healthy young man ruled out “a groggy accident”.
Friends say Ledger was talking about a Nick Drake film on his return to Manhattan after spending Christmas with his family in Perth. “He was still excited about a Drake film, especially after the Drake family spokesman described his video as extremely moving,” said one last week.
Ledger spoke about the singer at the Venice film festival last September. “Nick Drake is a very mysterious figure,” he said. “I was obsessed with his story and music and I still have great hopes to tell his story one day.”
People magazine has claimed that after his split in September from his Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams, Ledger was “drinking and taking drugs to excess”.
But friends said in recent weeks he had spent more time with his daughter Matilda, 2, and started a relationship with the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, 21. They said he was drinking only water and staying home a lot in his Manhattan flat. Additional reporting: Julie Earle-Levine in New York and Paul Ham in Sydney

[0utrider]

SHOCKING footage has emerged showing the tragic actor Heath Ledger partying with strangers at a drugs fueled Hollywood party. In the video, which was shown on US shows The Insider and Entertainment Tonight, the 28-year-old ‘Brokeback Mountain’ star can be seen talking to the men, who are snorting cocaine.
The grainy footage was apparently shot at the Chateau Marmont hotel on January 2006, and Ledger can be heard talking to the men about his then-three-month-old daughter Matilda.
And while Ledger was partying, his then-girlfriend, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ star Michelle Williams was upstairs with their baby Matilda in a separate room.
At one point, he can be heard saying: “I’m going to get serious s**t from my girlfriend. We had a baby three months ago…
“I shouldn’t be here at all.”
Ledger - who was found dead in his New York City apartment on the afternoon of January 22 this year, cannot be seen taking drugs in the footage - the full uncut videotape is due to be aired on US TV today.
Meanwhile, a club owner has sensationally claimed that he used to supply cocaine to Ledger.
American John-Bruce Shoemaker, 45, told a U.S. magazine that Heath was a heavy user of hard drugs while filming in Prague on two different occasions.
And he insisted: “I supplied him with cocaine and we did it together.”
His explosive claims to the National Enquirer in the U.S. come as toxicology reports are still due to reveal if drugs played a part in the Brokeback Mountain star’s death.
He insists the star once confided in him: ‘If I’m not careful, this stuff will kill me.’
And Shoemaker has no doubts that it must have played a part in the star’s death in his Manhattan apartment.
“I feel 100 percent certain that Heath’s lifestyle was connected to his untimely death,” he told the National Enquirer.
Shoemaker says he got to know Heath - and his party habits - while the star was in Prague on two occasions, in 2000 to film ‘A Knight’s Tale’ and then 2003 for ‘The Brothers Grimm’.
“Heath was in my club practically every night for months,” he insists. “There were lots of beautiful girls in my club but he ignored them all. He was interested only in drugs.”
Most alarmingly he says the passing years brought about a noticeable change in how hard he was using drugs - and also in his personality. “The first time, in 2000, he would snort about half-a-gram a day,” shoemaker insisted.

http://www.showbizspy.com/2008/01/31...s-party-video/

[Matt The Funk]

Good actor. That pill combo sounds like a way a few people go out...a way SWIM might end up going out eventually.

[Melalicious]

still havent come to terms with it yet!! definatly shame to see such a talented actor, and Aussie, pass from something like this!

RIP Heath, u will always be remembered for the fantastic aussie and actor u were, and will live on!

Hope his family and friends find some peace and positivity in the good things he had done in his life!

[Nature Boy]

Another victim of either over-medication or "doctor shopping" as some media outlets are labelling this. Apparently Ledger had problems sleeping and was using a cocktail of various downers, sedatives, sleeping pills and benzodiazepines.

[lulz]

Medical examiners have decided that his death was accidental, and that in addition to the benzos in his system he also had opiates:

"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications," the New York City Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," the statement said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...27874720080207

[Archenemy]

Seeing as any Benzo will severly increase the effects of any opiate one would say those are a bad combo. Same goes for Diphenhydramine + Opiates w/Benzo's... if you add Alcohol, I can't even think of a worse combo of drugs. Except maybe if he drinks grapefruit juice.

Also, IIRC Diazepam (Valium) builds up in the body when taken at higher then recommended levels.

I think that this was accidental. I think that maybe he had no knowledge of mixing certain medications, which is really sad.