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Stars pay tribute to Heath Ledger Stars pay tribute to Heath Ledger
(about 1 hour later)
Hollywood stars have paid tribute to Australian actor Heath Ledger who has been found dead in New York. Hollywood stars, family and fans have paid tribute to actor Heath Ledger, who has been found dead aged 28.
"I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss," said Mel Gibson, who acted with Ledger. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss," said Braveheart star Mel Gibson.
Australian actress Nicole Kidman called the death of the Brokeback Mountain star a "terrible tragedy". Nicole Kidman called the death of the Brokeback Mountain actor a "terrible tragedy". Ledger's body was found in his New York apartment on Tuesday.
Police are reportedly investigating whether the 28-year-old died of an overdose of prescription pills. The city's medical examiner said an autopsy was inconclusive. Police said prescription pills were found nearby.
His father Kim Ledger said the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "tragic" and "accidental". Officers are reportedly investigating whether he died of an overdose of medication.
Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, Western Australia, Mr Ledger said his son had been a "down-to-earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual". His father Kim Ledger said the death of his "dearly loved son" was "tragic" and "accidental".
Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, Western Australia, Mr Ledger said his son was a "down-to-earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual".
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also paid tribute, calling the star "one of our nation's finest actors".Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also paid tribute, calling the star "one of our nation's finest actors".
I deeply respected Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist Cate Blanchett In quotes: Heath Ledger tributes "Heath Ledger's diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor," he said. I deeply respected Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist Cate Blanchett In quotes: Ledger tributes "Heath Ledger's diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor," he said.
Cate Blanchett, who co-starred in one of Ledger's recent films, I'm Not There, said she was "shocked and very saddened by the news".Cate Blanchett, who co-starred in one of Ledger's recent films, I'm Not There, said she was "shocked and very saddened by the news".
"I deeply respected Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist. My thoughts are with his family and close friends.""I deeply respected Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist. My thoughts are with his family and close friends."
American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers. US actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers.
The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved dearly Larry Williams, father of ex-partner Michelle Williams Obituary: Heath Ledger "I don't know how to compare his talent to others but he's touched me deeply as a talent and it's a great loss," he said. The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved dearly Larry Williams, father of ex-partner Michelle Williams (above) Obituary: Heath Ledger "I don't know how to compare his talent to others but he's touched me deeply as a talent and it's a great loss," he said.
Ledger was found dead in the apartment he had been renting for several months at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday. Fans have been leaving flowers and candles outside Ledger's apartment in the SoHo district.
New York police said they did not suspect foul play and were investigating the possibility of an overdose as his body was discovered with prescription pills nearby. Khaled Ali, a 41-year-old Broadway stage manager, left a candle and said: "I felt a connection with him as an actor, as a fellow in the theatre community.
The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday. "With Brokeback Mountain he touched me personally in telling the story of my community. It was very touching."
Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle WilliamsIn September, the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda. The star, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Brokeback Mountain in 2006, was found dead in the rented apartment at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday.
Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. New York police said they did not suspect foul play and the medical examiner's office said it would take about 10 days to determine the cause of death.
HAVE YOUR SAYTerrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movieMark, HoustonSend us your commentsIn September, the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda.
Williams played Ledger's wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.
On Wednesday, Williams and Matilda left Trollhattan, Sweden, where she had been filming.
The actress' father Larry Williams said the worst thing about Ledger's death was that Matilda would grow up without knowing her father.The actress' father Larry Williams said the worst thing about Ledger's death was that Matilda would grow up without knowing her father.
"My heart goes out to everyone in his family and my family. The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved dearly," he said."My heart goes out to everyone in his family and my family. The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved dearly," he said.
Ledger was seen in London last week shooting his latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam.Ledger was seen in London last week shooting his latest film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYTerrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movieMark, Houston class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4134&edition=2&ttl=20080122225001">Send us your commentsNo statement has yet been made on the effect Ledger's death will have on the film's production. The star also plays The Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film The Dark Knight.
The star also plays The Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film The Dark Knight, made by the Warner Bros studio.
Although production has finished, it is unclear whether the movie will be released in July as scheduled.
"The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news," a Warner Bros statement said.
Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando.
He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film.