Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)

Subject: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 04:52 PM

MSN is reporting the young actor found dead in his New York apartment. What a damn shame.

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:03 PM

Only 28 years old.

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:20 PM

Very sad. Known of him since he was in Aussie soaps in his teens and enjoyed his work.

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:23 PM

I heard from a gay friend who lives in NYC. It is sending sad ripples through that community--Brokeback Mountain was a dramatic turning point for the film portrayal of gay men, and special reverence is held for the stars of the film.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:24 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Say it isn't so.....

Bugger.

LTS

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:30 PM

Of the new breed of serious young actors, Ledger was among my favorites. He gave consistently strong performances, and showed a remarkable nose for substantial roles, avoiding the pretty-boy and action-hero traps. Already Oscar-nominated at 28, he had a knack both for comedy and drama. I feel terrible for his little girl.

Subject: RE: Obit: Heath Ledger
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 07:55 PM

According to BBC News 24 he died of an OD.

Very sad

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: GUEST,Mrr elsewhere
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:26 PM

Yes, I just saw this terrible news... the US news is saying they don't know what he died of but he was found nude with pills nearby...

And not even 30. This is really sad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:43 PM

Several sources say accidental overdose as he had pneumonia but police have also not ruled out anything including "foul play." Need to wait for the pathology................Doesn't matter really to most.....still a tragic loss. I can only echo what Leej said............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 09:45 PM

The latest I heard was no foul play and very ill from pneumonia, but Spaw is right. They won't know much until the toxicology reports come in which could take 4-6 weeks.

It is really sad, regardless of why it happened.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 11:14 PM

What a waste -- a terrific actor and BrokeBack Mountain was just marvellous....so well acted and pertinent.......damn!

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 06:23 AM

Why is the alleged fact that he was nude so newsworthy? He was in bed, a lot of people sleep naked.... it's like Marilyn Munroe - no-one will remember them for what they did during life, just that they were found in the nude.

LTS

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 06:32 AM

Very sad news, he was a very talented actor

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 07:00 AM

I heard on the radio that the film star Heath Ledger died. Star! I have never heard of him, although I have heard of the film, Broke Back Mountain, which I havent seen. Still, it is sad someone so young has died.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 11:38 AM

He had apparently been suffering from depression, not sleeping for weeks and weeks. That, plus the pneumonia, undoubtedly rendered him extra-susceptible to a bad reaction to whatever drugs he took. A dose that would not normally be an overdose might well have killed him.

His recent portrayal of The Joker, in the yet-to-be-released next Batman movie, is said to be extremely "dark," much different from Jack Nicholson's take on the same character a few years ago. Ledger makes The Joker into an evil psychotic serial killer with no comic-book overtones; apparently, he immerses himself very deeply into all his roles (the generally excellent results would indicate as much), and this role may have taken him into depths he was unable to escape.

The Today show showed a few brief clips of Heath as The Joker, and he certainly did look demented and scary

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 12:37 PM

And don't you know that the media will jump all over that. I'm sure the publicity for the movie will be revamped. Regardless of the quality of the movie - and the buzz is that it's good - it's bound to be big at the box office because of Ledgers untimly death.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 12:42 PM

Very sad. I really enjoyed this young man's work, and watching him grow as an actor. His role in Brokeback Mountain was extraordinary.

I am curious if any of our Irish friends saw the TV series "Roar" and what their reactions are to it.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 03:23 PM

They are going to be all over this, too, Wesley. I hope the estate of Drake does not release it:

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The fate of an eerie video of actor Heath Ledger "drowning" himself, set to a song by singer-songwriter Nick Drake, is being mulled by the estate of Drake, who committed suicide in 1974.

Ledger was found dead Tuesday (January 22) in a New York apartment, with prescription sleeping pills nearby. An autopsy will be performed Wednesday to determine the cause of death.

The black-and-white Drake clip, which Ledger shot and edited himself, was included in a multimedia installation, "A Place To Be," devoted to Drake at Seattle's Bumbershoot festival in September 2007. It was also on display during a Drake celebration of the same name in Los Angeles in October.

In it, Ledger turns the camera on himself while Drake's "Black Eyed Dog" plays. At its conclusion, he drowns himself in a bathtub. "Black Eyed Dog" is allegedly the last song Drake wrote before overdosing on the antidepressant amitriptyline.

Sources confirmed that the video is the property of the Drake estate, which is deciding whether it will release it in any form.

Did anyone see the news report, either on MSNBC or CNN, which included a lovely quote by Ledger about the earth, life, and otehr metaphysical stuff? I haven't been able to find it. It's not the one about him having no plans except for each day. It was more than than.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 12:21 PM

Did anyone see that idiot, John Gibson making fun of this tragic death? It even turned Joe Scarborough's stomach. What do you expect from Faux news? I sent Fox an e mail telling them that this albino makes Imus look like Mary Poppins.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 01:03 PM

Kendall, he's of the same ilk as that damn idiot who has the anti-homosexual church in Kansas who is advertising that he and his congregation are going to picket Ledger's funeral because of the "gay movie" he made. That's the same idiot who picketed Matthew Shephard's funeral in WY.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 01:44 PM

I heard the funeral was going to be in Australia. Maybe the Kansas preacher will stay there after the funeral.I won't miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 01:53 PM

I wouldn't wish him on them, though.:-) I see by news reports, they are going to confine their protests to memorials in the States. Oh, and they are going to picket the Academy Awards. Did you know you can go to hell for portraying a gay in a movie? I wonder why they don't say that about actors who portray serial killers, etc. What about the actor who was Pontius Pilate in the Greatest Story Ever Told? *shaking head* over the stupidity

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 02:03 PM

He's from the shallow end of the gene pool Kat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:55 PM

His gene pool needs more chlorine

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 06:40 PM

Casanova was a mostly overlooked comic gem with Ledger in the title role. Check it out at the video store.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 07:09 PM

That one has been playing on some of the cable movie channels lately.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 09:02 AM

And if all the other hoopla isn't enough, have you heard that the idiot masseuse didn't call 911 immediately but rather waited 15 minutes while she calle Mary Kate Olson of all people for advice. Seems she was in a relationship with him (story here).

And look, just in case it ever comes up, if you should find me comatose,    please don't call for advice from a ditzy, goofed-up, former child star.   Just call 911.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 01:12 PM

Naw, we'll just call in the dogs for you, Spaw.:-)

Too bad the paparazzi here can't take a cue from those in Australia when Heath was visiting family over the holidays:

Before heading back to the United States Ledger rang the film editor of The West Australian newspaper and left a message thanking the media for leaving him alone, the paper said.

"I don't know whether it's a conscious thing or an unconscious thing, giving me space and respecting my privacy," Ledger told the paper. "It's just been awesome."

"I've had the most beautiful time back here and being able to see all my friends and family ... It's really enabled me to be a boy again from home and feel like I'd never left," he said.

"It's truly been an incredibly therapeutic and a much-needed trip home..."

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 11:58 AM

From his dad: "While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy," the statement said.

"Today's results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts."

News report: "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.

Oxycodone, which is often abused, and hydrocodone are painkillers. Diazepam and alprazolam are anti-anxiety medicines. Diazepam is sold under the brand name Valium and alprazolam is sold under the name Xanax.

Temazepam is a sleep aid sold under the name Restoril. Doxylamine, a sleep aid and antihistamine, is an active ingredient in a number of over-the-counter medications, including NyQuil.

If those all came from one doctor, that doctor should be investigated. Regardless, it should be looked into, who prescribed all of those and why there apparently wasn't any warning about the dangers of them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Becca72
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 12:38 PM

They did not come from one doctor, kat. From what I've read he had scripts from at least 3 doctors located in Europe...you can bet one didn't know what the other was doing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 07:48 PM

It was suicide plain and simple and claiming that it wasn't is doing a major disservice to the people who work in the mental health industry. Why can't we learn from this tragic event and try to prevent more people taking thier lives?

Calling him anything but a scared young man who had problems and took the cowardly way out is not doing anyone any favors.

Or do you believe that anyone over 16 years of age who is on sleeping pills can overdose because they where not warned to watch the meds that they take with them?

From all reports I'd heard Mr. Ledger was a depressed confused kid who was prone to bingeing and had talked about suicide reciently.

Yeah it sucks that he's dead but if suicide was acknowledged and addressed instead of denied in shame it might save some people from taking thier own lives. And if it wasn't treated with such embarasment mabe people would not be ashamed to admit that they were depressed.

Quit treating this kid like some hero.

He's just some kid.

I did enjoy his work and I think the world was better with him here but call a spade a spade!

Raptor

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 08:31 PM

1) Kid!?

2) If you know something the authorities don't, get in touch with them.

3) If three different doctors gave him 'scripts, they would have known he was taking anything the drugs they prescribed could react with. If he was suffering from anxiety and insomnia, he might have been fairly desperate for some relief, and at least a few of those drugs can mess with your head. You take one thing, it doesn't work, so you take something else and at some point you forget what you've already taken and take something else.

It always sounded like it was an accident to me. Of course, it doesn't really matter to me if it was a suicide or not, and it doesn't matter what anyone calls it. I don't really understand why anyone would get so upset that the authorities don't agree with them. He was a wonderful actor and he guy's gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 09:07 PM

THAT particular combo is deadly. About the only thing he was missing was lorzeapam/Ativan. Closely related to diazapam/Valium.

Most doctors wil ASK what you already are taking.....did they? They may well have. Maybe he lied, or just didn't say. Maybe HE didn't know, lots of people don't. We'll never know.

And we'll never know if it was on purpose or an accident. I know many, many people who have multiple doctors on their 'string' and don't/won't/refuse to tell them what else they have scripts for. They also use different pharmacies/chemists for each doctor.

It's actually pretty easy to do if you want to.
As I said, we'll never know. His family can believe whatever brings some peace to them. Blessings on them all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 10:39 AM

There seems to be a rash of people mixing things a la Karen Anne Quinlan - didn't both Anna Nicole and her son just do the same thing?

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raedwulf
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:00 PM

Raptor - Undignified & unwelcome speculation. As far as I understand it, people who suicide by overdose take a handful; not one of this, one of that, pick 'n' mix. If he was rational enough to have sat down & worked this out as a method of suicide (& it's highly debatable as to whether anyone would have the pharmaceutical knowledge to be sure that it'd work), he was far too rational to have done it deliberately. In my limited knowledge of suicides (dead & living), if they don't actually want everyone to know they've done it, they're certainly not trying to conceal it, which is what you're implying.

A man's dead. Please don't use his death to bang some drum that interests you. You may well have a point. This isn't the thread for it, & suggesting that Heath Ledger was a deliberate suicide is unsupported by any factual evidence at this point in time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 12:34 AM

"If he was rational enough to have sat down & worked this out"

If he was rational enough he wouldn't have killed himself would he?

"it's highly debatable as to whether anyone would have the pharmaceutical knowledge to be sure that it'd work"

Read a label on a pill jar. The warnings right there


"suggesting that Heath Ledger was a deliberate suicide is unsupported by any factual evidence at this point in time."

What about the fact that he OD'd on pills that millions take without trouble and you can't even buy without countless warnings? Or the fact that he was talking about suicide reciently and did a video about it?



"Please don't use his death to bang some drum" Re read my post and try to grasp that I'm suggesting that we address suicide to help people!

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 11:33 AM

Raptor, read anything on the results of his death. He did not OD in the traditional sense. It was the combination of pills in his system that was lethal, NOT the amount. Unless you are a medical examiner who performed the autopsy or drug analysis I'd say you don't know jack shit about what happened.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:09 PM

So you were there?

And you are a medical examiner who performed the autopsy or drug analysis?

I guess you DO know "Jack Shit!"

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Zhenya
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:24 PM

Another consideration is that people have different body chemistries, and metabolize drugs differently. How the drugs were metabolized could depend on whether they were taken with food, or even the time of day they were taken.

Many medicines have side effects, including fuzzy thinking, and if he had already taken one and wasn't as clearheaded as usual, he may not have thought about the implication of mixing something else with it.

It sounds like a sad unfortunate accident to me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 02:51 PM

No, but I have read their information that completely contradicts what you are saying and I take them at their word.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 05:22 PM

Taking the media reports at thier word ?

Carefull you don't OD on whatever drugs you're on.

I got news for you You can't believe everything you read.

And Depressed people kill them selves by ODing.

And rich people own the papers you are taking at thier word.

People get warned when given powerfull drugs.

Especialy by the medical profession that are all about covering thier ass.

People on sleeping pills don't die by forgetting thier are on sleeping pills unless they want to.

... Oh shit whats the point you can't argue with heroworshipers...

Believe what you want.

Screw the kids that we might be able to help with depression cause some people would like to deny that some kid in hollywood might be fucked up because he's cute.

What a comment on society.

Go back to saying how great he was.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 05:59 PM

His loss is a tragedy no matter how he died. COndolences to his family and friends. Neil

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 06:31 PM

Raptor, you are full of contradictions. On one hand you call it the "coward's way out" and the next you seem to be seeking sympathy for those who commit suicide. You can't have it both ways. Yes, there should be more discussion about the subject and the stigma should not still hold in society, but if anyone read your postings they would think you have an extreme prejudice against any suicide, but esp. against Mr. Ledger, suicide or no.

I have been messed up on just ONE of those drugs and had VERY fuzzy thinking. I was NOT, nor ever have been suicidal, but I was NOT coherent about what I was taking, nor the dosage. If my Rog hadn't been here, there is no telling what might have happened.

This is NOT the thread for you to go off on some rant. Please do it in another thread or, better yet, just let it go.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 07:55 PM

I have sympathy for those who have yet to commit suicide. They can be helped. I don't have anything against Mr. Ledger I only feel that this tragedy might help other people.

Why is that so wrong?

Suicide is preventable but we have to fight the stigma that mental illness is something that has to be swept under the rug. We can learn from that.

If you think that is a rant than so be it but make no mistake I'm not intrested in slamming the poor kid I'm just saying that ignorance is bad for helping the mentaly ill.

Re read my postings please.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 08:09 PM

Raptor, it's good to talk about suicide, preferably before it happens and preferably not when it involves a celebrity that was determined to have overdosed accidentally.

You seem too invested in denying what the authorities have said was accidental, in non-lethal doses of different meds. I don't know if he did it on purpose or not, but I tend to think 'not'. I'm not involved at all though, and only know what I've heard reported, as do you. We've both heard the same stories and I don't understand why you're so vehemently arguing with the medical examiner's findings, and why you expect people to believe your opinion.

Why do you NEED this to be a suicide?
Why is this an argument at all?

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 08:56 PM

What Jeri said...and yes, you can stop SOME of the suicides. Can't stop all of them ever. If a person is TRULY determined, it WILL happen.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 01:22 AM

A good friend of the music community around these parts was found after he hung himself in a used bookstore he owned and we all feel like we could have prevented it.

Heath Ledger was working on a video about suicide one month before he died and was quoted as saying that he wanted to die reciently.

This was reported on CBC news about the time of his death, Not by the national Inquirer.
The authorities do not claim to know what Mr. Ledger was doing only that he died from a deadly combo or drugs that he'd taken.

I don't NEED this to be a suicide.

I'm just sickened by the fact that people want to deny the possibility that this poor kid was troubled and had problems.

Why must we act like mental illness is something that we have to pretend doesn't exist?


I've recieved a few PMs now telling me that I should keep my opinions to myself.

Aside from an uncalled for jab at Becca72 about Being on drugs, which I'm truly sorry about, I don't feel that the point I was triing to make was unreasonable.

Why should it upset people so much that I believe that this poor kid did what he'd threatoned to do?
What is gained by not addressing the issue of suicide?

Why would people get so upset about an opinion?

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raptor
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 01:33 AM

Read this

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 09:54 AM

Raptor, it's not your opinion that upsets me. It's that you have this unusual opinion and think it's right because it's what you believe, and you treat others as poor benighted sheep when they don't buy your theory. THAT'S what bothers me.

The 28 year old 'kid' certainly sounded miserable and depressed, and if he'd said he wanted to die, maybe something could have been done. Maybe not, because it's nearly impossibly to force another person to do what you want, even if it means you're saving his life.

The connection you're making is that because he said something about dieing earlier, he must have MEANT to do it, despite the evidence. Lots of people make comments about wanting to die, but it doesn't mean they plan on killing themselves.

You wrote, "It was suicide plain and simple". You haven't convinced me you know more than the medical examiner. You've made up your mind about the truth, despite the facts, and your 'evidence' takes a humongous leap of illogic to fit. You believe what you want. I'll believe the guy was depressed, and in trying to get through it, took some drugs that combined to kill him.

...and that's as far as this train runs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Heath Ledger (January 2008)
From: Raedwulf
Date: 09 Feb 08 - 04:05 PM

"If he was rational enough to have sat down & worked this out"

If he was rational enough he wouldn't have killed himself would he?

Well, no. That's the fucking point, isn't it? Idiot! No-one kills themself by one-at-a-time pick'n'mix. He presumably had several bottle's full of the assorted pills. He's not going to kill himself by taking one of this & one of that. Would you? No, you'd swallow a handful of each. Cos they're there.

You want to quote me? I can do that too - You may well have a point. This isn't the thread for it, & suggesting that Heath Ledger was a deliberate suicide is unsupported by any factual evidence at this point in time.

I do not give a crap what point you are trying to raise or prove. You have NO concrete evidence to back up your OPINION on Heath Ledger. If you want to debate the nature of suicide, why people think about it, how to recognise the signs, how to stop them, do so. I'm sure it'll be a worthy & intersting thread. Maybe it might even a difference.

But this is not the place for it!! Now shut up & take it somewhere else. This is an Obit thread. Not a Smear thread!