Heath Ledger Dead - Heath Ledger Drug Party

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"Heath Ledger Dead"
"Heath Ledger Dead At 28"
"Heath Ledger" - 1979-2008
by Wild About Movies
February 11, 2008

BELOW - "Heath Ledger Drug Party" Video

Updated February 11, 2008

Actress Cate Blanchett and Heath Ledger's parents paid tribute to the late actor with moving eulogies at a memorial service in his hometown of Perth, Australia on Saturday. More than 600 family members, friends and fans gathered to bid farewell to the "Brokeback Mountain" star, where his "I'm Not There" co-star Blanchett gave a funny and touching eulogy about their time spent together. Mourners watched a photo montage dedicated to Ledger's family and daughter Matilda, his two-year-old with former fiance Michelle Williams. The actress was in attendance but did not bring Matilda to the service at Penrhos College, a private girls' school. Ledger's father Kim addressed the media earlier in the day to ask for privacy as the family attended a private funeral service at Fremantle Cemetery, where the body was cremated. He told reporters, "It's a pretty sad time and we're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world. Having said that we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the world, which, suffice to say, we're luckier than most families, most families that are in our position, our grieving position, don't have that kind of support. So thank you all very much. That's all I've got to say." Ledger was found dead at his New York apartment on January 22, aged just 28. Toxicology results released on Wednesday revealed he was killed by an accidental overdose of prescribed medication.

Updated February 6, 2008

According to the New York City medical examiner, Heath Ledger's untimely death was due to an "accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs." For those who are regular WAM readers, we brought you that news the day after his death, as we were tipped off by the NYC ME that scenario was most likely the cause of his death. The official cause of death was "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine." These, for you non pharmacologists, are the generic names for Oxycontin, Valium, Xanax, Restoril and Unisom. Note: no illegal substances were found. There was no word on how much of each he took, or whether a heavy dose of one was what ultimately did him in, but a spokeswoman did note that his death was due to "the cumulative effects of these medications together." For the full stories about Heath Ledger's final two movies, the movies he will be seen in posthumously later this year, including the sequel to "Batman Begins" - "The Dark Knight"... click on either link: "The Dark Knight." "Dr. Parnassus."

Updated February 4, 2008

"Heath Ledger Drug Party" Video

Updated January 26, 2008

While we still don't have any answers about the overall "The Dark Knight" movie campaign, Warner Bros. has seen fit to memorialize Heath Ledger on at least a few of the web sites being used to promote the film. On the film's official site, TheDarkKnight.com, the bulk of the site has been taken down, and replaced with a white background page that includes a picture of Heath Ledger as well as the following text:

We mourn the loss of a remarkable talent gone too soon... and the passing of an extraordinary man who will be greatly missed.

However, on the main site for the viral marketing campaign of "The Dark Knight Movie," WhySoSerious.com, a black ribbon has been left on top of the message from the Joker created out of magazine cut-outs.

Updated January 25, 2008

A private memorial service was held in NYC for the late actor Heath Ledger.

Update: January 23, 2008

While the autopsy report is inconclusive, police have reported, today, that Heath Ledger's death was NOT a suicide, and most likley accidental. According to police, a $20 bill rolled up, coated with a white substance, (cocaine?), is being analyzed. Also, found in Heath Ledger's bedroom, near his dead body, yesterday; prescriptions for Ambien, anti-anxiety medicine, anti-depressant medicine and cough medicine, to treat the pneumonia that it was confirmed Heath Ledger was fighting. The combination of potential cocaine, and all of the above medicines, could have led to the cardiac arrest, which ultimately killed Heath Ledger yesterday. Stay tuned for more updates!

More about "Heath Ledger's death" below the jump...

January 22, 2008 - Who would have thought that a celebrity death could trump the 80th Annual Oscar nominations? Well one did. The actor Heath Ledger was found dead yesterday afternoon in his apartment building at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, according to the New York City police. Heath Ledger was 28. At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building, (which was erroneously reported by many media outlets as being owned by one of the billionairess Olsen twins), for an appointment with Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let into the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of the bedroom Heath Ledger was in. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Heath Ledger naked and unconscious on a bed, with sleeping pills — both prescription medication and nonprescription — on a night table. They attempted to revive him, but Ledger did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. Reports of Ledger having both pneumonia and a sleeping disorder have not yet been confirmed. Heath Ledger can currently be seen on the big screen in the Oscar nominated "I'm Not There," in which he portrays, in one vignette, the singer Bob Dylan. (Cate Blanchett was nominated for a "2008 Best Supporting Actress Oscar," for her role in the film "I'm Not There"). Heath Ledger recently wrapped filming the sequel to "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," which hits theaters this summer. Many, who have seen the dailies of the movie, believe Ledger will be nominated for a posthumous Oscar next year for his role in "The Dark Knight." Stay tuned to Wild About Movies for updates on the cause of the death of actor Heath Ledger. The autopsy results should be available by end of week. The fate of the movie Heath Ledger was working on at the time of his death, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," is up in the air. Right now, read the most recent interview Wild About Movies publisher Tim Nasson did with Oscar nominated actor Heath Ledger - for his Oscar nominated performance in "Brokeback Mountain"... (continue)

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