2008 was a memorable year. I had started middle school (I still have the pair of Etnies I wore on the first day), the Phillies had won the World Series, gold prices had reached an all-time high at $1,000 an ounce, and “Breaking Bad” premiered.
However, one moment in that year stands out above the rest.
I was in the library of my middle school when I found out after overhearing my teacher’s conversation with the librarian. I had just printed out a picture of Heath Ledger’s character Patrick Verona in “10 Things I Hate About You” for a project.
Some may say it was coincidental. I found it to be a bit eerie. But I remember looking down at the printer. The picture face up. My teacher and the librarian looked over seeing that I was right next to them frozen in shock. Although many know of my undying love for Zac Efron, Ledger was right up there with him. She looked at the picture that was still in the printer and then to me. She asked me if I was okay.
I proceeded to cry.
On January 22nd, 2008, around 2 p.m., Heath Ledger was pronounced dead.
Ledger was a natural when it came to acting. He gave every role he took on 110 percent. He made the audience feel what was happening on the screen off screen. You felt his pain, you sympathized with him. You laughed with him and at him. He was an icon.
Best known for his role as the Joker in “Dark Knight”, Ledger also starred in “Brokeback Mountain” with costar Jake Gyllenhaal, “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson, and “A Knight’s Tale” with Paul Bettany, and of course, “10 Things I Hate About You” with Julia Styles—an all-time rom-com favorite and his big break.
Ledger was known to literally become the role he was given to play. Specifically, for his role as the Joker, Ledger had locked himself in a room for an extensive period of time to know what it was like to feel mad. It helped him perfect the sadistic characteristics. It was reported that Ledger kept a diary, writing down his thoughts, to help become the part. He would remain in costume and makeup on set from morning to the end of filming. The diary always within arm’s reach.
The movie had been released to theaters just six months after his death. Ledger was also the only actor to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor post-death.
There were plenty of skeptics that believed the Joker killed Ledger. Ledger’s autopsy revealed an overdose of prescription drugs. Those who were close to him and who have worked closely with him said otherwise. He was described as a loving man who was amiable and outgoing.
At the time of his death, Ledger had been with longtime lover, actress, Michelle Williams. The two had been costars in “Brokeback Mountain”. In 2005, the couple welcomed a baby girl, Matilda, into the world.
In honor of his life and memory, “I Am Heath Ledger” will make its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 23rd and then worldwide on Spike TV on May 17th. It has been emphasized that the film will not highlight his death, but his life.
The film will include personal interviews with colleagues and family, a lullaby written for his daughter, and home videos created by Ledger himself. Think of it as a behind the scenes of his life off screen.
PEOPLE magazine journalists Liz McNeil and Kathy Erich Dowd had interviewed one of Ledger’s closest friends, Matt Amato, amongst others when covering the details prior to the documentary’s release. Amato had stated, “I hope she remembers the way he would spin her around and call her darling and her excitement seeing him,” he adds. “They really did have something wonderful.” Matilda, now 11, is known to be Ledger’s greatest legacy. The film will be his final gift to her.
His sister, Kate, who was also interviewed states, “You can tell her about things, but with her being able to visually see his movement and his expressions, it’s almost like he had actually filmed the documentary himself and pieced it together for her.”
The film will be the documentary of the year considering his death was the most talked about in 2008. My expectations are very high, but I have no doubt that it will exceed them.
So, I’d like to make one final toast, with my champagne glass raised high in the air, and say a few words:
To an incredible actor, father, son, partner, and friend. Let this film be your biggest and greatest role yet. Here’s to your final curtain call.
