Heath Ledger (1979-2008)

1 minute read
By TIME

1979 — 2008

Rising Star

Academy Award nominated actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment, Tuesday, January 22, 2008.Nicolas Guerin / Corbis

‘I’m Not There’

In Todd Haynes' study of seven sides of Bob Dylan, Ledger plays Robbie Clark, a character representing Dylan the divorcee.Weinstein Company

The Joker

In The Dark Knight, the next installment in the Batman film series, Ledger will play .Everett

Farewell To A Young Talent

Heath Ledger was 28 years old.Carlo Allegri / Getty

Beginnings

In the 1997 television show Roar, a young Ledger played Conor, an Irishman battling the Romans in ancient times.Timothy Bauer

Updated Classic

Ledger gave new life to Shakespeare's classic The Taming of the Shrew, in the modern interpretation 10 Things I Hate About You.Everett

Revolutionary

Alongside Mel Gibson, who plays his father, Ledger battles the British in The Patriot.Corbis

Battle Royale

As a peasant masquerading as a nobleman, Ledger's character, William Thatcher, wins the respect of the ruling class at sword point in A Knights Tale.Everett

Aussie Duo

Ledger and his then-girlfriend, Naomi Watts, arrive at the 76th annual Academy Awards.Lucy Nicholson / Reuters / Corbis

Autographs

Film fans crowd around the star at the Venice Film Festival.Chris Jackson / Getty

‘Brokeback Mountain’

Ledger was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his performance as ranch hand Ennis del Mar.Everett

Off-Screen Romance

During the filming of Brokeback Mountain, Ledger met Michelle Williams, who would become his fiancee and the mother of his daughter. They called off their engagement last year.Lucy Nicholson / Reuters / Corbis

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