Heath Ledger 1979-2008

Handsome Bob

On January 22nd, 4 years ago, Heath Ledger passed away. An immense talent who went before his time, he left us with some brilliant performances in Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight and Monster's Ball.

He was one of the few actors who, when originally branded a teen heartthrob, managed to break free and become known as being among the best of his acting generation.

Christopher Nolan once described Ledger as "fearless" and that is exactly the word that comes to mind when I think of his performances in the films mentioned above. Even though he barely scratched the surface in terms of exploring his talent, he still managed to provide us with unforgettable characters and in a way, his talent wasn't wasted because of this. Thus, I am thankful to say that I can look back fondly on his career.

MJ23

Brilliant actor, I got Lords of Dogtown over the weekend, might watch it tonight. His portrayal as the Joker is superb.

AnonoBoy

MJ23 wrote: »

Brilliant actor, I got Lords of Dogtown over the weekend, might watch it tonight. His portrayal as the Joker is superb.

Don't watch Lords of Dogtown before you see the documentary on the same subject. The documentary is far superior.

Duggy747

Personally, I think his best role was as Shane in Home & Away as the little twerp who took Sally Fletcher's virginity away. :pac:

He was an interesting actor who only just scraped the surface and broke away from the "pretty boy" shackles proving he actually had talent. His career could have been very interesting.

MagicMarker

Handsome Bob wrote: »

become known as being among the best of his acting generation.

Really?

Handsome Bob

MagicMarker wrote: »

Handsome Bob wrote: »

become known as being among the best of his acting generation.

Really?

Absolutely, imo of course. Brokeback Mountain is the best illustration of this.

o1s1n

4 years ago!? Wow, how time flies by.

I only really liked him in The Dark Knight to be honest.

And Ned Kelly!

krudler

was a great talent, 10 Things... Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight, Monsters Ball, all great performances. mad how quickly time flies

Shryke

I liked him very much in a couple of films. Some of his output was meh, but a great actor in the end. It's almost stupid to say at this stage but his performance in The Dark Knight really impressed the hell out of me.
As someone else said I can't believe it's been 4 years! Where's the freakin' time going.

p to the e

I remember when i first heard that pretty boy Heath Ledger was going to play The Joker I was disgusted. How wrong I was.

I saw him in an Australian film a few years back called "Two Hands" where he owes a local gangster, Bryan (you'll know him when you see him) Brown, some cash. Pretty funny and dark at times. Recommended.

JP Liz V1

4 years already :eek:

He made Shakespeare cool and likeable in 10 Things I Hate About You, one of the best teen movies of all time imo with a excellent soundtrack

He was excellent also in Monster's Ball and Candy

aidan_walsh

Handsome Bob wrote: »

Absolutely, imo of course. Brokeback Mountain is the best illustration of this.

Ah now, I won't knock the guy because he was pretty good in what I have seen him in but "he was recognised as one of the best of his generation" and "I think he was one of the best of his generation" are two very different statements.

Mike Litoris

MagicMarker wrote: »

Really?

I dont get it either? If he didn't die would people be still raving about him?

pixelburp

Before he died, he did seem to be on his way to becoming his generation's Brad Pitt; ie, an actor who in his youth was dismissed as a 'pretty boy' no-talent, but (was) slowly amassing a CV that showed his real talent. Leastways that's how he seemed to me. Ultimately we'll never know for sure but the signs were good he had a strong future ahead of him

Dancor

Mike Litoris wrote: »

MagicMarker wrote: »

Really?

I dont get it either? If he didn't die would people be still raving about him?

After TDK, yes.

Mike Litoris

Dancor wrote: »

After TDK, yes.

I dont think so but, then again, we'll never know.:D

Handsome Bob

Mike Litoris wrote: »

MagicMarker wrote: »

Really?

I dont get it either? If he didn't die would people be still raving about him?

He was already seen as one to watch after his performance in BM, he was nominated for an oscar for the role as well so his peers knew full well of the talent he possessed.

sillo

I never really felt his performances justified the hype. Maybe I just overdosed on the media coverage but I was expecting a tour-de-force in TDK and was kind of underwhelmed. I kept waiting to be amazed but it never really happened.

I would not consider him a top actor at all. But as noted by others on this thread, totally subjective I suppose.

fryup

his performance in Brokeback Mountain was quite simply incredible, up there with James Dean

Mellor

If people don't agree that he was one of the best of his generation, could they provide a suggestion for somebody who is better.

I've a feeling that people are taking a different meaning of generation here. It's not the same as best of his era, etc

Dempsey

I think Ledger was only beginning to realise his potential with the performances he was churning out before his death. I think he peaked with his Joker performance but he could have maintained 'that level' for years.

Two Hands is probably my favourite film of his, bar TDK

grames_bond

I loved lords of dogtown! thought he was amazing in that!!

leggit

Mike Litoris wrote: »

I dont get it either? If he didn't die would people be still raving about him?

Couldn't agree with this more, was good in the TDK but would he have won the oscar if he were still alive?

Would he have even been nominated? Sentiment gets the better of people all the time and while his death was tragic it's no reason to call him one of the best of his generation.

It's quite strange that when people die their publicity goes through the roof, just a pity they're not around to enjoy it.

JP Liz V1

Mellor wrote: »

If people don't agree that he was one of the best of his generation, could they provide a suggestion for somebody who is better.

I've a feeling that people are taking a different meaning of generation here. It's not the same as best of his era, etc

In regards to his generation I would say Joaquin Phoenix and perhaps Ryan Gosling and Heath lookalike Joseph Gordon Levitt who star seem to have risen since Heath's death.

Handsome Bob

leggit wrote: »

Couldn't agree with this more, was good in the TDK but would he have won the oscar if he were still alive?

Would he have even been nominated? Sentiment gets the better of people all the time and while his death was tragic it's no reason to call him one of the best of his generation.

It's quite strange that when people die their publicity goes through the roof, just a pity they're not around to enjoy it.

He was praised for more than just his role in TDK though, it's ironic that you suggest he got a pity oscar nomination/win for that film considering that he was previously also nominated for Brokeback Mountain. So, he was already given the Academy "stamp of approval" before TDK. Then there is the other performance I mentioned in Monster's Ball, while others have mentioned his performance in Lords of Dogtown, so I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that he was one of the best within his age group in Hollywood.

I would also argue that Ledger's performance in TDK was superior to the other performances nominated in that year (Shannon in RR being the only one that I haven't seen).

Mellor

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

In regards to his generation I would say Joaquin Phoenix and perhaps Ryan Gosling and Heath lookalike Joseph Gordon Levitt who star seem to have risen since Heath's death.

Exactly, that's his generation (Joaquin is debatabel) and Heath was imo marginally ahead of those guys. Gosling and JGL are both coming into the light more, and the right role could see either surpass Brokeback and/or Ledgers Joker. But who knows where Ledger would be grown to by this point

JP Liz V1

Mellor wrote: »

Exactly, that's his generation (Joaquin is debatabel) and Heath was imo marginally ahead of those guys. Gosling and JGL are both coming into the light more, and the right role could see either surpass Brokeback and/or Ledgers Joker. But who knows where Ledger would be grown to by this point

Ben Foster is another I'd put in that generation very underrated actor imo

I always thought either Ryan Gosling or Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be great as Riddler in a Batman film

Zizou

Anybody see the film "Candy" he was in with Abbie Cornish.
Worth a look
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424880/

norrie rugger

Is it wrong that I loved him in A Knight's Tale?
Total guilty pleasure

Aidric

His performance in Brokeback Mountain remains the greatest screen performance I have ever seen. Powerfully restrained is probably how i would sum it up.