Why Heath's death is like a body blow

I know how you feel.  This is just unbelievably awful.  Not only was his performance in Brokeback one of my favorites by any actor ever, he seemed like such a genuinely nice guy.  It's shocking to think he could go this way, because of all the actors who I'd expect to OD, he would be towward the bottom of the list.

I was really hoping he'd go on to make so many more movies, and I was sure he'd be back up for an Oscar, which I think he should have won in the first place.  His legacy will endure, though, because that performance will live on for many years to come.

because it was so believable and honest.  That is not easy to do especially in a role that was a groundbreaker in Hollywood.  It would have been very easy to screw it up, instead he gave the character the complexity that it deserved.

My comment about being very upset if it is an overdose is due to personal experiences.  I had someone close to me almost die from an overdose.  It is hard to describe to people what goes through your mind when you hear the news, but one of the emotions is definitely anger.  I guess you feel the person is being selfish and does not consider their loved ones feelings,  You think "what am I chopped liver?"  That might strike some people as not being understanding or emphathetic, but there it is I am just describing the feelings you have, besides the obvious one of tremendous sadness for the loved ones suffering.

Cheers

JBE

I am totally devastated by the news of Heath's death.  For me this is far more significant than the death of Princess Di, which I recall enthralled us all when it happened.  But Heath... Heath'sperformance in Brokeback was the most stunning performance I may see in this lifetime, and I felt like he was telling my own story, which made me in awe of him.  Add to this, the many wonderful things he said which revealed him to be one of the very, very, very few straight men who actually "got it" where it concerns gay people, and we have a man whose loss is devastating and tragic.  I wish I were in New York City to leave flowers in front of his building.

Michael,

I too am deeply moved and saddened by the death of Heath Ledger. My hands shook and my eyes welled into tears when I had to type, "Heath Ledger, Dead at 28". Such a loss of a talented young actor... and for me as a gay man, Heath will always have a special place in my heart thanks to his beautiful portrayal in the film Brokeback Mountain.

Godspeed, Heath.

- QTC

Editor and Publisher, QueerTwoCents.com

I was very saddened by the tragic news of Heath Ledger's sudden death. I have created an "In Memoriam" page in the AfterElton Community Forum section HERE so that all his fans can share their thoughts and feelings about this wonderfully talented young actor.

- QTC

QueerTwoCents.com

Heath Ledger was an excellent actor. I bought "Roar" a DVD of an old tv series from when he was pretty young. It is dated from 1997 so I guess he would have been about 18. It is excellent but I like these types of movies. I also loved him in "10 things I hate about you" an excellent movie of young teens based on taming of the shrew. It was a great performance from him and a great one from Julia Stiles. When he did "Brokeback" he was amazing. He was a good actor and I can only imagine what he could have done with more time. Such a tragedy.

afhickman

"The mountain has wings"

I am heartsick.  What horrible news to wake up to.  Why are these young guys so vulnerable?  I just can't think.

 

afhickman

"The mountain has wings"

Heath was 28 when he died.  So young!  Here is Shakespeare's Sonnet 28, addressed to another troubled young man:

How can I then return in happy plight,
That am debarre'd the benefit of rest?
When day's oppression is not eas'd by night,
But day by night and night by day oppress'd,
And each, though enemies to either's reign,
Do in consent shake hands to torture me,
The one by toil, the other to complain
How far I toil, still farther off from thee.
I tell the day, to please him thou art bright,
And dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven:
So flatter I the swart-complexion'd night,
When sparkling stars twire not thou gild'st the even.
    But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer,
    And night doth nightly make grief's length seem stronger.

That I remember, I've only seen him in Brokeback Mountain.  I didn't care for the film. No-strike that-I hated it on my first viewing.  The pivotal scene in the tent dredged up intense feelings of sexual abuse. Of rape. This was no love story to me. I was horrified at the effusive praise it got from the gay community. I'm still a bit baffled. Later viewing, knowing what was coming, I did not react as strongly but the film was still not one of the all time love stories in my book.  I thought Heath was fine job as Ennis Del Mar but it was not life changing.

His death? That is life changing for some in particular and so my thoughts go to the devastated Michelle Williams and their little daughter.

afhickman

"The Mountain Has Wings"

Heath Ledger's death has left me mad.  Up to a few minutes ago, that anger was directionless, but now it has an object.  Why would anybody pick a moment like this to turn critic and offer a negative analysis of either Heath or, what is surely his finest moment on film, "Brokeback Mountain"?  I am astounded at the insensitivity of some people.  Have you ever had a seriously introspective moment in your life?  Have you ever taken a good look at yourself in the mirror?  There are people mourning out here, for chrissake.  When you "don't get it," that means you are ignorant of the facts.  And that's the time to keep your solipsistic mouth shut!   

This is so very sad, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Heath since I heard the news yeaterday.  Entertainment reporter Roger Friedman is always very reliable about show business news and here's what he has to say today.  It sounds like Heath was killed by his drug demons - a sad, familiar story.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324785,00.html

ROBCAT IT'S   SAD &TRAGEK!    HE  WAS   A  GREAT  ACTOR .   I  LOVE   BRORKEBACK   MOUNTAIN    IT     WAS     A   GREAT    LOVE   STORY  I    LOVE   GAY  MOVES.  THE   FILM    SHOULD   HAVE    WON  A  OSCUR &HEATH LEDGER  SHOULD   HAVE   WON    OSCUR   AS   WELL .  &  HE   WAS    A   FRIEND  TO    THE  GLBT ,  HE   WILL    BE   MISS.

Very tragic & sad. I respected him for having the BALLS to except & play the part. Brokeback Mountain is the one movie anyone should see who does not understand that true love exsists.or to understand what us in the community have to put up with & live with daily

I couldn't stop thinking about his death all day. I don't think it's really sank in yet.

Heath deserves much credit for taking on the role of Ennis in Brokeback Mountain. I read quite a few actors, at the advice of their agents turned the role of both Ennis and Jack down, off course now regretting that decision. Nevertheless, it was Heath that took the role of Ennis Del Mar and put in one magnificant performance. And he was clearly proud of to be a part of this great movie.

I do think when he took the role in Brokeback Mountain he thought it was going to be just one of those small independant movies that would make a brief appearance at the cinemas, and then out on DVD soon after. But to everyone's supprise it was a huge hit across the world, throwing Heath onto the world's stage, something he was terribly uncomfortable with. I remember when Heath, Jake and Michelle were on the Opera show promoting the film, and Jake said...if he had know the movies was going to be this big he didn't he would have taken the role. It was quite overwhelming for all the young cast.

Anyway, from the reaction around the world, Heath was a dearly loved actor, more so then he could ever imagine. So very sad. 

  

 

If Heath would have died in a car accident I think his fans would have accepted his death a lot easier. He died from a drug overdose (accidental or not), he died from his own hand and it feels like such a waste and loss even now. I'll never understand why he didn't solved his drug problems in a drug rehabilitation center, he had such a promising life...