Heath Ledger has died. Updates will be posted in this post, so keep checking back!
TMZ has learned that Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has died in NY.
He was found dead in his bed in one of his residences in Soho by his housekeeper at 3:35 PM ET today. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime.
The 28-year-old actor has a two year old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams. He was set to play the Joker in the upcoming Batman film “The Dark Knight.”
These two pictures were taken just this last Friday – on the 18th – on the set of his new film, ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ in London, England.
UPDATE #1: The NY Times is reporting a masseuse arrived at his apartment and was let in the door by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they found pills near body.
UPDATE #2: When paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
UPDATE #3: Law enforcement tells TMZ Ledger’s body was found face down on the bedroom floor. There is no visible signs of any trauma. Prescription pills were strewn around Heath Ledger’s bed. The cops are waiting for the Medical Examiner. Law enforcement tells TMZ Heath Ledger’s autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.
UPDATE #4: Talk about RANDOM, TMZ has learned that Heath Ledger was found dead at an apartment owned by Mary-Kate Olsen. Weird?!
UPDATE #5: Okay, I take it back. It was NOT Mary-Kate’s apartment.
UPDATE #6: Cops tell TMZ Heath Ledger’s death was accidental.
UPDATE #7: Heath Ledger had a substance abuse problem. A Ledger confidante tells us he had been clean for a year. Contrary to several published reports, we’re told Ledger had not been in rehab.
UPDATE #8: Law enforcement sources tell TMZ sleeping pills were strewn around the bed of Heath Ledger. One law enforcement source told us it is much too early to determine if the death was accidental or suicide.
UPDATE #9: I’ve added some pictures of Heath throughout the last couple years below. You can also go through past Heath articles and posts here.
UPDATE #10: Heath Ledger’s body has just been removed from the Soho building where he was found dead. It was carried out in a black body bag and put in the back of the City of New York Medical Examiner’s truck.
UPDATE #11: Alan Horn, President and COO of Warner Bros. and Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group have issued the following statement to TMZ. The studio is producing the next Batman film, “The Dark Knight.”
“The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. 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.”
UPDATE #12 (5:OOPST): TMZ has learned Heath Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died today in NY. TMZ has been contacted by a rep from Heath’s family. The cops told the family Heath’s death was accidental and there is no evidence to support the buzz that he may have committed suicide.
They are particularly distraught over media reports that he may have taken his own life. The family says he was not that kind of person.
UPDATE #13 (5:00PST): There are reports circulating that Heath Ledger was found on the floor — not exactly the case.
As we first reported, Ledger was found naked on his bed. We’re told emergency workers put him on the floor in an attempt to resuscitate him.
A police official says there were pill bottles scattered around the apartment.
UPDATE #14 (5:00PST): Michelle Williams is “devastated” by the death of her former fiance, Heath Ledger.
We’re told that “words cannot describe” the pain she is in over the news about the father of her child, Matilda Rose.
We’re told she is on a plane heading to NY right now.
UPDATE #15 (5:05PST): Picture of Heath Ledger being wheeled out of the apartment where he was found dead this afternoon. (Via Splash)
UPDATE #16 (5:17PST):
Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the New York Police Department, held a press conference on Heath Ledger Tuesday night.
He confirmed the following:
• The deceased was discovered by a masseuse and a housekeeper at approximately 2:45 p.m. today.
• The masseuse was there for a regular appointment.
• The deceased was found in his bedroom.
• The deceased was lying on the floor, curled up, at the foot of his bed.
• The deceased was naked and face down.
• There were not pills found scattered around the room as had been previously reported.
• There were some prescription bottles, including prescription sleeping medication, uncovered.
• Police do not know how long the deceased had been in the apartment.
• The deceased was renting the apartment.
• The cause of death has not yet been determined. The determination will be made by the medical examiners office.
UPDATE #17 (5:20PST): His role as the Joker was so troubling and demonic to him that he had trouble sleeping at night. “physically and mentally draining”, “i took one ambien and it didnt work. i took a second and i fell asleep only to wake up an hour later.” Rough quote from an interview about being the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie.
UPDATE #18 (5:40PST): The Olsen twins’ connection to Heath Ledger’s apartment is now clear.
Here’s the way it went down. A cleaning lady for Heath arrived at the apartment first, followed soon thereafter by a masseuse. They both entered the room at around the same time and discovered Heath’s lifeless body.
The cleaning lady called police. The masseuse, we’re told, called the bodyguard for the Olsens. She called him because they’re friends and he’s an EMT. The bodyguard was around the block at Ashley’s and he immediately went over. By the time he arrived, the cops were already there.
We’re also told it appeared Heath “had been dead for a while” and there were no visible signs of trauma. There was a pill bottle on the nightstand.
RIP Heath, this is terrible, tragic news. I’m so sad about this one. I just didn’t see it coming! I just can’t get over it. I hope it was an accident, and he didn’t intend to kill himself. He was so incredibly talented.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
What what what? WTF ?!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
This is horribly sad! My prayers and thoughts are with his family, and small daughter. SHOCKING!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
This is awful! He was so talented and amazing!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
THIS ONE CAME AS A HUGE SUPRISE! I HAD NO IDEA THIS GUY WAS INTO ANYTHING SHADY AND DISTRUCTIVE. HE USUALLY STAYS UNDER THE RADAR
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
OMG!!!! Not Heath!!!!
He was one of my favorites!!!!
I’m taking it hard.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
RANDOM!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I dont even know what to say…. I am in shock.
This is just crazy??$^%$
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
This sort of thing always happens in threes . . . Brand Renfro last week, now Heath. Wonder who number three will be? I feel so bad for little Matilda.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
That is so horrible
Oh no…
Very random too =/ wow. I hope he didn’t overdose.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Gosh, this is so depressing. I really, really hate this. It’s almost unbelievable. RIP, Heath.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
So heartbreaking! He was a talented actor. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Wow. I’m floored and very, very upset.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
This is so sad. i feel bad for his family and friends but more for his little girl. My prayers go to his family. May he RIP.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This is so sad. His baby girl… God so sad. I’m in utter disbelief. I hope he finds peace.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I heard on the news that it was Ambien?? Prescription medicine scares me!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
i am in total disbelief.. i am so sad. RIP Heath..
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
So tragic, so sudden and out of the blue…. so sad
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
ooh my god. u just never expect for him to die! RIP Heath.
i loved him as an actor. *tear*
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
WOW…I’m stunned at this news! How very sad, he was so young, and his poor little girl will never get to know her daddy. Very Sad News!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I’m stunned. I was in total shock when they announced that he had died. I hope everyone will offer his family privacy. This is terrible news.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Sad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
See you in the new system
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Terrible news…
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
RIP Heath.
Secondly, they haven’t been called “Masseuses” for years. They are called “Massage Therapists” or “Body Workers”
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
This is so, so tragic. The poor man, and his poor little girl.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
This is so sad. He was one of my favorite actors. He was so talented. And to think that all of this was because of a movie role. My heart goes out to his little girl
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
This is sad but not too shocking.
——————————————————————
Check out my Heath Ledger prediction from Dec 2007:
http://www.celebpsychic.blogspot.com
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am deeply saddened but not too shocked. I always found Heath Ledger and Brad renfro very talented but very dark.
May they rest in peace.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Such a tragedy.
What I’m wondering is why there needs to be a press conference to confirm whether or not he was naked or lying on the bed/floor? Why does that matter? Ahhhhh… cuz he’s a celebrity, I know, but still!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
RIP
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I agree Skye – they should not release that kind of information publicly out of respect for the deceased as well as the family. There should be some common sense on what is tactful. I know it would probably get leaked anyways but that doesn’t mean that having respect by not officially providing that information is not important. This is terribly tragic.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
It’s a ver very sad loss indeed… but please remove the picture of his body bag, I find it somewhat disrespectful or something… It makes me, I don’t know, uneasy…
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
i cant believe
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…
He’s…so amazing…he…can’t be gone!… NOT FAIR!!!
And his daughter is only two… :’(
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:41 am
This is so sad. I heard about it last night on Sky News. I was in shock, I still am. Heath was so young, so talented. My heart goes out to Michelle and poor little Matilda, and to all his family.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
Here we all are waiting for breaking news that Britney has passed, and this happens. What an absolute waste of excellent talent and a rising star. Im sure his best work was still to come. His poor little girl, now having to grow up without a father. So tragic, i am so shocked, it really wont sink in. Just goes to show, no matter who you are and what you do, in the end we are all mortal.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:36 am
Gosh, I just saw the updates… I loved his way of acting, it is just not fair.
I am very disappointed about all the paparazzi who took pictures of the dead body, this is no respect for his family.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 am
This is really sad. Its even worse that blogs and shit are posting that it was a suicide. This young man had a family and a child people who print misleading information should be sued its very unfair. May he Rest In Peace, unfortunately we had to lose a good one. And yes removing the picture of the body bag would be the proper thing to do that is disturbing and unacceptable.
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
I agree with other posters, please take down the pics of his body bag. Very disrespectful and tacky.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
This is really sad. He was a great actor, and was amazing in Brokeback Mountain.
I’m really sorry for his family and Michelle Williams and his daughter.
RIP Heath — you will be missed.
=[
January 27th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
WHERE WAS HE IN BED FACE DOWN OR CURLED UP IN A BALL AT THE AT THE END OF THE BED~!
WHY CAN’T THE MEDIA GET THERE FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE SAYING A LOT
OF B.S. HE HAD TALKED TO A DIRECTOR THE NIGHT BEFORE././AND HELENA
CHRISTENSON WAS GOING TO COME AND VISIT HIM.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I am totally heartbroken! What a great guy to lose. It hurts even more to read articles that are not true. Why do people have to assume the worst? In the past, I have come home from surgery and taken too much medication because I was in so much pain that I could not remember taking any meds at all. Accidents happen to the best of us! Why can’t we just accept the truth being just that??? And who doesn’t call 911 FIRST when someone is not responding?? Even complete strangers and very small children know to call 911 first! God Bless Heath’s family during their loss.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Good afternoon. Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious.
I am from Malta and also now teach English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: ” She had chosen that her family deployed at center to reading her.”
With respect
, Voleta.