R.I.P.
Heath Ledger is Dead

Heath Ledger TMZ has learned that 2006 Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger has died in NY.

He was found dead in his bed in one of his residences in Soho by his housekeeper at 3:35 PM ET today. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime, adding that prescription pills were found near his body.

According to NYPD a masseuse arrived at Ledger's apartment and was let in by a housekeeper. When Ledger didn't answer his bedroom door, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened it and found him unconscious. They attempted to wake him; when they couldn't, they called 911.

We're told when paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 28-year-old actor has a two year old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams -- they separated in September, 2007. He plays The Joker in the upcoming Batman film, "The Dark Knight" and is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking role as Ennis in "Brokeback Mountain."

We're told Heath had dinner last night with his model girlfriend Gemma Ward.

Story developing...

Reader Comments

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16. It's a sad sad lost to see someone so young and talented to have such a short life. I adored him in Brokeback Mntn the movie was so moving. My heart goes out to his family especially his daughter. My heart is just so broken what a lost a horriable lost....RIP Heath you will always be in our hearts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 1:13PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Jackee

17. my mom told me about this last night....i couldnt believe it
i had to look it up on google....
i really still cant believe
i'm in tears writing this
RIP
im sure he'll be always watching over is daughter

Posted at 1:12PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by deeply saddened

18.
Liz you are an idiot. And a liar

Posted at 2:14PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by hmmm

19. RIP Heath. I hope everyone out there holds their judgement until the autopsy results are in. Speculation and assumption just makes an A** out you. Heath, you will be missed.

Posted at 2:37PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by MsLadyFilly

20. I can not belive he is gone, one good person after another is having problems in hollywood when will it end? god bless his family and friends our thoughts are with them in this time of loss. His poor daughter will never know her daddy!!

Posted at 12:12PM on Jan 24th 2008 by corky

21. I can't believe some of the stuff that is written here...Some people have no morals...
Someone is dead here, not a joke not a movie---he's no longer alive!!!
He has a little girl, whom she will never know her father or remember all the times he did spend with her.
Not to mention what his family and friends are going through.
Have some consideration for people and put yourself in their shoes. Having to have all this exploited on the news and on the
websites.
He was truly such a great actor. And the only thing that anyone should be writing is how soon he was taken from us.
Be it a celebrity or not. He was 28years old. Remember this next time someone in your family dies.

Posted at 2:53PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by ANONYMOUS

22. RIP Heath! You lived a good life in the public and you rocked all your movies. I can't wait to see Dark Knight.

Posted at 12:14AM on Jan 24th 2008 by meagen

23. Anyone who says he wasn't a good actor must not have seen his films. He was fantastic in "Monster's Ball", "Ned Kelly", and my favorite, "The Four Feathers". Such a great talent and a good guy. I feel sad for his daughter, another little girl who will have to grow up without her daddy. I'd like to see some of these harse people who criticize try living hat life for a while and see where they end up.

Posted at 3:49PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by poet

24. IT'S SAD AND TRAGIC I LOVED THIS GUY IN A KNIGHT'STALE I PRAY FOR HIS LITTLE GIRL AND FAMILY AND TO THOSE WHO POST COMMENTS IN A BAD FASION !!!!!!SHOULD GO TO HELL

Posted at 3:38PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by maddie lipscomb

25. Beware of ambien people - it has bad interactions like allergic shock , heart attack and worse.. it can be abused...

I read this information on a Rx website

Ambien Overdose

Ambien with the generic name of Zolpidem belongs to a class of medicines that effects the central nervous system, called sedative hypnotics. Ambien is closely related to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs cause sedation, muscle relaxation, act as anti-convulsants (anti-seizure), and have anti-anxiety properties. Ambien has selectivity in that it has little of the muscle relaxant or anti-seizure effect and more of the sedative effect. Therefore, it is used as a medication for sleep. People who take too much Ambien may become excessively sleepy or even go into a light coma. The symptoms of overdose are more severe if the person is also taking other drugs that depress the central nervous system. Some cases of multiple overdoses have been fatal.

When abused, Ambien tablets are taken orally, crushed and then snorted, or dissolved in water and "cooked" for intravenous injection.

Overdose of Ambien may include:

sleepiness
confusion
dizziness
clumsiness
severe nausea or vomiting
staggering
difficult or slow breathing
slowed heart rate
unconsciousness

Posted at 3:44PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by ambien stocks going down

26. Heath was a great actor, and will be terribly missed by many. The sad part is that now his daughter will grow up with out a dad. We all need to take a look at our lives, and ask ourselves is it worth it? Love the ones you have you never know when that one day will come, when you lose them.

Posted at 1:28PM on Jan 29th 2008 by Moodle

27. Doesn't matter who you are, nor how old you are. Death does not discriminate. Let this unfortunate moment remind us that money and looks will not bring you happiness nor take your worries away. He should have prayed for sleep instead of taking all those damn pills (not suggesting he overdosed) but he did not have those prescription pills just to look at them, so we must logically assume that he was taking them. Remember that this day will come to us all, every single one of us WILL DIE, let's hope that are soul , mind and heart is in favor with the LORD or we will suffer the cosequences for all eternity. May Heathcliff Ledger rest in peace (I hope he is in Heaven).

Posted at 4:23PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Nicholas El Monte Ca.

28. Heath, I am so sorry, may you rest in peace. My thoughts for peace in this difficult time are with Matilda, family, and all your loved ones. Thank you for entertaining us with your amazing talent - you will truly be missed,

Posted at 4:21PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by A loyal fan

29. Heath Ledger was one of Hollywood's greatest actors. It is a darn shame to see such a promising career cut so short. Needless to say, I was absolutely stunned to hear about his death. Heath, rest in peace. You will be sorely missed.

Posted at 4:55PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by jared barton

30. Hey hmmmmm,
How am I a liar? You don't even know me!!!

Posted at 4:24PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Liz

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