Heath Ledger Galleries 1

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Early life
Ledger was born in Perth, Australia of Irish and Scottish descent. He lived in Western Australia until he was 16, when he left school (Guildford Grammar), a year early. He then moved to Sydney with his best friend, Trevor DiCarlo, in pursuit of a career in acting. Ledger got his first break by starring in the American television series Roar.

Film career
In 1999, Ledger starred in the Hollywood movie 10 Things I Hate About You and also had the lead role in the acclaimed Australian movie Two Hands, directed by Gregor Jordan. Since then he has starred in The Patriot, A Knight's Tale, Ned Kelly, The Order and The Brothers Grimm.

Heath Ledger's most professionally successful year to date was 2001, with his ShoWest Award for the Male Star of Tomorrow based on his performance in The Patriot, and worldwide release of the hit anachronistic jousting romp A Knight's Tale. In 2003 Ledger was named one of Australian GQ's Men of the Year for acting.

In 2005, Ledger received a Best Actor in a Drama Golden Globe nomination for his fiery and acclaimed performance in Brokeback Mountain of Wyoming ranch hand, Ennis Del Mar. He has a love affair with aspiring rodeo rider Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal.

In the New York Times review for Brokeback Mountain, film critic Stephen Holden wrote, "Both Mr. Ledger and Mr. Gyllenhaal make this anguished love story physically palpable. Mr. Ledger magically and mysteriously disappears beneath the skin of his lean, sinewy character. It is a great screen performance, as good as the best of Marlon Brando and Sean Penn." In another review in Rolling Stone magazine, film critic Peter Travers writes, "Ledger's magnificent performance is an acting miracle. He seems to tear it from his insides. Ledger doesn't just know how Ennis moves, speaks and listens; he knows how he breathes. To see him inhale the scent of a shirt hanging in Jack's closet is to take measure of the pain of love lost."

Among the other recognition Ledger received for his performance in Brokeback Mountain are Best Actor of 2005 awards from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle.

Relationship with the Press
Ledger has a turbulent relationship with elements of the news media, particularly paparazzi photographers. It's alledged he spat and assaulted a photographer in Sydney in 2004, while a relative is alledged to have also spat on a photographer in 2005. On Friday January 13 2006 several photographers retaliated, blasting Ledger with water pistols as he walked the red carpet for the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain.

Private life
Ledger is engaged to actress Michelle Williams, whom he met on the set of Brokeback Mountain. They have a daughter, Matilda Rose, who was born on October 28, 2005.

  Untitled Stacy Peralta Project (2005) (announced)

Casanova (2005/I) .... Casanova
Brokeback Mountain (2005) .... Ennis Del Mar
The Brothers Grimm (2005) .... Jacob Grimm
Lords of Dogtown (2005) .... Skip
Candy (2005) .... Dan
The Order (2003) .... Alex Bernier
... aka The Sin Eater (Australia) (Singapore: English title) (UK)
... aka Sin Eater - Die Seele des Bösen (Germany)
Ned Kelly (2003) .... Ned Kelly
... aka Ned Kelly: Public Enemy No. 1 (Philippines: English title: poster title)
The Four Feathers (2002) .... Harry Faversham
Monster's Ball (2001) .... Sonny Grotowski
... aka Bal du monstre, Le (Canada: French title)
A Knight's Tale (2001) .... Sir William Thatcher/Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland
The Patriot (2000) .... Gabriel Martin
... aka Patriot, Der (Germany)

Two Hands (1999) .... Jimmy
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) .... Patrick 'Pat' Verona
"Home and Away" (1988) TV Series .... Scott Irwin (1997)
"Roar" (1997) TV Series .... Conor (1997)
Paws (1997) .... Oberon
Blackrock (1997) .... Toby Ackland
"Sweat" (1996) TV Series .... Snowy Bowles
"Ship to Shore" (1993) TV Series .... Cyclist
Clowning Around (1992)