1979-Heath Ledger was born in the beachfront town of Perth, Australia. His dad Kim, was an engineer who designed race cars. His mother, Sally was a French teacher. His parents divorced when he was just 11-years-old. Heath, who shuffled between his two parents' homes, was also active in community theater. He told Rolling Stone in 2006: "It set me up for this bohemian life I've been leading. I feel like I've been traveling with the same bag since I was 11."
A look back after the jump
1995- Heath, then 16, leaves home for Sydney, where he appeared in the Aussie TV program Sweat. He makes his film debut in Blackrock and is also featured in Roar - a warrior drama, which also costarred Keri Russell. Heath said: "It started off quite dignified and Braveheart-esque. But as they got desperate for ratings, slowly no one's wearing clothes." Heath also began dating costar Lisa Zane, who was 18 years older than he.
1998- Ledger goes to Hollywood and snags the lead in 10 Things I Hate About You, costarring Julia Stiles. The movie brings in more than $50 million, but Heath is unhappy being labeled a heartthrob. He told the Houston Chronicle: "I was a young kid from Australia, and that was the only movie someone was willing to put me in, so what do you do? You've got to start somewhere. I just didn't want to stay there." He subsequently turned down teen films over the next year.
2000- Heath plays Mel Gibson's son in the Revolutionary War drama The Patriot. The movie does well, bringing in $113 million and the young actor is critically acclaimed. Rolling Stone writes: "The Aussie newcomer has the talent and looks to become a major star." Heath is featured on the cover of August's Vanity Fair titled, "We're Havin' A Heath Wave." Heath began Heather Graham and they broke up in June 2001.
2001- Ledger was named one of PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful. He stars in A Knight's Tale which does well - bringing in $117 million. Director Brian Helgeland tells Vanity Fair: "Once every 50 years, a guy like [Heath] comes along." Isn't that the truth?!
2001-2003- Heath may have done a lot of great movies, but even he had a series of bombs, including Ned Kelly, costarring Orlando Bloom. The movie earned only $84,625 in the U.S. He tells Rolling Stone: "I wanted to take the blond out of my career, kill the direction it was going in. Whether consciously or unconsciously, I perfectly sabotaged any studio interest in working with me." He began dating his Ned Kelly costar, Naomi Watts. The couple were together off and on for two years. He had a dark period as well - playing Billy Bob Thornton's suicidal son in Monster's Ball.
2004- Heath signs on to star in the much talked about movie, Brokeback Mountain, also referred to as "The Gay Cowboy movie." Ledger told Rolling Stone: "My biggest anxiety wasn't having to kiss Jake. It was the perfect script and Ang Lee was the perfect director. So the anxiety for me was - I didn't want to be the one to f**k it up." Heath fell for his costar, Michelle Williams on day one of shooting. He said: "On the 5th take, Michelle and I [are] tobogganing down the hill..." "And Michelle...twisted her knee - she was pretty much on crutches for the rest of the shoot. And I felt I always had to look after her after that." In May, Heath and Michelle announce that they are expecting a baby. The pregnancy is a surprise to both. Heath told Rolling Stone: "Our bodies definately made those decisions for us." The couple move into a brownstone in Brooklyn and begin "nesting."
2005-Michelle gives birth to Matilda Rose. Heath seems to take to fatherhood immediately. "I'm Mr. Mom. I get [Michelle] granola and cook her an egg, I clean the dishes, and then I'm cooking lunch. Later, I go out to the market and get fresh produce for dinner. And I love it! I love my new job."
It was so sad writing about this, his life over the years. I just keep picturing his daughter and her wondering where he daddy has gone to. Rest in peace, Heath, rest in peace.
Source:People
