The Tragic Life of Heath Ledger

This Hollywood icon has a story worth telling. Heath Ledger was a mainstay in the entertainment industry for years, but was taken from us far too soon. In this video essay, we’ll be detailing the short life of Australian actor Heath Ledger, from his humble beginnings to his critical success to his untimely death. What do YOU think is the most heartbreaking aspect of Heath Ledger’s life? Let us know in the comments!
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#HeathLedger #TheDarkKnight #Joker

[@WatchMojo]

What's your favorite Health Ledger role? Any you think need more attention?

[@centrikwolf3278]

Joker

[@kaylabear4696]

Joker

[@trinaq]

Joker, William Thatcher, Joker, Patrick Verona and Joker! 🃏😂🤡

[@l1ghtg30gd7]

*heath Ledger* but yea his Joker role

[@shreyass1694]

Why is everyone saying joker? He didn’t play the joker HE BECAME JOKER

[@morningstar9233]

His life wasn't tragic. He was a hugely successful, highly talented much loved man. He died tragically.

[@kamdan2011]

Life can’t be that tragic if you’re Michelle Williams’ husband.

[@glitterspray]

Agree.

[@mirkoschaarschmidt881]

He just was stupid af

[@thomaslangton8593]

Very well said my friend

[@mirkoschaarschmidt881]

@Your Mother Hubbard my life is tragic

[@ElliYeetYT]

If Heath Ledger didn’t die, he would’ve been one of the most successful actors ever.

[@charismaervin6951]

Agreed

[@qxillanote9952]

He still was

[@oasisbeyond]

Doesn't matter in the end, what does that even mean? For him it meant nothing.

[@ElliYeetYT]

@oasisbeyond Have you even watched the video?

[@christineparis5607]

Being a successful actor was probably the worst thing that could happen to him. People like him have a pretty fragile sense of themselves, often unable to separate their work from their personal life. It's kind of like Kurt Cobain, if he had stayed a Seattle garage band and not been famous, he'd probably still be alive...

[@hadokenl5762]

His performance in the dark knight will forever go down in history as one of the greatest solo performances in cinema history and nothing will ever take that away from him R.I.P ledger legend

[@markeyiszra]

I can tell he played Joker was really pain in the ass. Cuz' he must play a crazy outcast villain.

[@johnhust6742]

That's nice

[@thomaslangton8593]

@@johnhust6742 this guy was a durgie plane and simple

[@bradymichael6100]

He didn't played the Joker, he BECAME the Joker!

[@mardenfernandes5526]

So true

[@LeonardoKlotz]

"When you are good at something, never do it for free." That's my favorite quote

[@LeonardoKlotz]

@KAREN KFOURY Joker said it

[@sakshiyadav8266]

Ditto!

[@fluxfn7087]

Its not about the money, its about sending a message.

[@saifkhan_95]

"Their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. When the chips are down, these civilized people? They'll eat each other." To me, this statement kinda reflects on what's happening in world today during this pandemic.

[@EE-ie9gm]

His acting was overrated

[@billycasper3351]

He didn't LIVE tragically. He DIED tragically.

[@LostHope84]

And how did he die? From living a life that wasn't attainable. Fame and money can kill you.

[@kotchapakmaneechote2062]

He died from combined drug intoxication.

[@selenajones1396]

@@LostHope84 the only person who can tell you that is heath himself maybe there were other reasonings behind it

[@roanwise6776]

He should get a lifetime achievement award even if his life was cut short, that's how legendary he was.

[@globaltunes486]

Thank u write this again and again

[@arlex2837]

He wasn't that good. Sorry to say.

[@AnthonyHeadway]

@@arlex2837 how wasn't he good ?

[@rudinam2409]

Honestly he wasn't. I was a fan and no one knew who he was till he died.

[@paladinheadquarters7776]

Rudina Obydi that’s not true. People just started to know more about him when he played the Joker.

[@land3603]

I haven’t even watched it and I’m already tearing up. He died too early

[@mouadachmouk6623]

mouad achmouk feind heath ledgger

[@misfitbrit1989]

28 is way too soon. May he rest eternally.

[@JohnDoeMidnight-jq2me]

Yet, he did more in his life than most people who twice his age

[@ali_da_one]

"You wanna know how I got these scars?" - Joker Heath Ledger (1979 - 2008)

[@Anoynmous87]

Iconic dialogue

[@nobodyknows1800]

No. But I know how you got these!

[@canadiancobracommander7734]

Probably from when he was in the tent. Oh your quoting the joker. I thought you were quoting broke back mountain...it was rough the first time and the second time and the third time....his farts were never quite the same. Just kidding

[@racc7805]

@@canadiancobracommander7734 wot...

[@kaseycoffeebean2580]

didnt he also have...face scars after getting the role?

[@95KyBoo]

I remember hearing rumors that his role as the joker sent him to commit suicide. I'm glad this video cleared that up. Great Actor. R.i.p💔

[@cherrypink1108]

Well he did have a hard time handling it though as the Joker.

[@ghostofdeath663]

Accidental overdose

[@cherrypink1108]

@Johnny NiteTrain OK accidental overdose but does anyone truly know? They said the same thing about Marilyn Monroe and Brittany Murphy. You could be right. Anyway it is still sad.

[@epicsardines6440]

This is gonna sound dumb, but I never noticed that he was joker, I must have watched the Patriot a million times and never made the connection to joker

[@asee818]

@Johnny NiteTrain cause of the joker

[@Swa1nTrain]

This video should be labelled: The successful life of Heath Ledger! Apart from his passing, he was a good guy!

[@TrochezCovers]

Yeah, also besides his parents divorce, his youth was very succesful, very little people had their passion fruit ripe so early in life, very straigforward for him

[@preiselbeerpie4555]

I don't think he magically turned bad before passing. He just overdosed, this has nothing to do with good or bad.

[@mycahjofficial]

*10 Things I Hate About You skyrocketed his acting career. The Dark Knight solidified his legendary status as an actor even though he tragically died six months before it was released. R.I.P. Heath Ledger. You were a truly gifted actor.*

[@mr.decencykeepinitreal6348]

It's been over 12 years, we still miss Heath Ledger so much...

[@checkers34]

I was in hs when he had died. Nostalgia for me since his last role as the joker was huge. I saw everyone with joker shirts and hats around my school. The dark knight was a huge influence in my time class of 2010

[@avertz7979]

Yeah

[@Thespeedrap]

It was upsetting to hear about his passing.His Joker was perfect it's like only thing good about The Dark Knight.

[@bekim7878]

@@Thespeedrap It was great but Dark Knight was fucking amazing aswell.

[@heredera11]

Omg i remember hearing of his passing in world history class I was 17 years old that was my last year in hs I was a sophomore before I dropped out and got my online school

[@kessutin6666]

@@Thespeedrap dark knight is 4th best rated movie in the world

[@kalpanapanda5324]

The actor we needed but not the one we deserved, RIP HEATH LEDGER

[@sethfreakinrollins9889]

The greatest actor to have ever played the role of The Joker. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.

[@Blood-zz2kt]

Tied with Phoenix in my opinion

[@Blood-zz2kt]

This Is What Awesome Looks Like nice opinion

[@firstname4337]

@This Is What Awesome Looks Like he was one of the worst

[@firstname4337]

@Toxicity easily one of the worst

[@ghostofdeath663]

Arkham joker is the definitive and most accurate and dangerous joker

[@teacherfromthejungles6671]

typical clickbait naming. his passing was tragic, not his life.

[@333darknessangel]

I remember meeting him when he was working on roar (my sister used to work on the show with him). He was Such a lovely young man with so much potential.

[@jukic1235]

He will never be forgotten Rest in Peace, Legend

[@cokepepsi2247]

You come from grave to talk about a man in grave but yes rip

[@kiaraross5549]

don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want - patrick verona. (1979-2008) RIP heath ledger 🙏🏻

[@danielsdimension7828]

He was the greatest Joker of all time. I still miss this dude :(

[@xaviermill7440]

He wasn't the greatest he was the JOKER

[@snowleopard1850]

Heath was one of the greatest actors who played his roles so intensely. I think that took a toll on him. Already a shy person, his characters and fame destroyed his health. I get a feeling that he was alone with his demons. His own intensity of character, his nervousness, killed him. What a pity. We will never forget you!

[@antoniodiaz2289]

When I found out that Heath ledger and Michelle Williams had a daughter before his death, this feels more tragic and makes all his fans, friends, and family wish that he was still alive too this day, and Heath ledger is will always be the best joker and deserves nothing less.

[@aren7138]

I only saw some pics of his daughter (I think it's best to keep family anonymous) and she looks just like him. A little Heath.

[@Suikogiru]

He is only known for his legendary Joker, but damn his performance in Knight's Tale was just as good

[@pascalenimue1392]

Love it still

[@aaronsmith2688]

While I thought the movie itself was just kind of, meh, I think he was great in The Patriot. Also, Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain, of course.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

He was wonderful in Knight’s Take and The Patriot!

[@MrMrjack18]

Never just as good ! his joker performance is excellent !

[@airielhaikal696]

nah his ennis del mar is quite famous too.u should watch it..his acting was so incredibly good

[@peterjones819]

If Heath Ledger was still alive, The Dark Knight trilogy would have been extended to a few more movies, considering how awesome he was as the Joker.

[@AnthonyHeadway]

Maybe maybe not

[@M.A.C.01]

Would have been a bit exploitative considering all his method acting he took

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

12+ years of Heath Ledger's tragic death. His family, his friends and tens of millions of fans everywhere still miss him alot...

[@aasraaz9047]

What an Actor he was honestly R.I.P Legend 💐🙏🏻 you'll be remembered

[@raven3067]

No wonder why he became the Joker.

[@doryanburlison6998]

I remember when the news came out about his death. I was young then so I didn't know who he was but I remember my mom was crying her eyes out. I've never seen her so heartbroken. Years later I watched The Dark Knight and it's because of his performance that made it my favorite superhero movie of all time.

[@santinomassaro2640]

It's more like 'The tragic life of people who haven't heard of this actor'

[@noelruiz3526]

Nah

[@LundH-nx3go]

nahhh he’s my fav actor since i was 12

[@claudiaquerciolli6979]

Peccato questa morte prematura.Alida.

[@Chatterbox-94]

Heath Ledger is one of my biggest inspirations for acting. He brought so much life and positive energy to every role he played. He left us too soon. RIP Heath Ledger.

[@skyedavis2524]

He was an incredible actor. Deserved so much more💕

[@lahzeke6928]

“why so serious”

[@courtneylachance002]

I love Heath Ledger and I hope i meet him in the afterlife.. RIP the best actor of my generation.. :(

[@latashala-hori4714]

R.I.P Heath Ledger you will be missed.😢😭

[@AA-qb7ni]

The only tragedy was that he died so young. He had so much more to give and he seemed like a wonderful father. Rest in Peace Heath 💕

[@billylardner]

He was incredible at accents, wasn’t he?

[@shreyass1694]

You got the title wrong, it’s Heath Legend

[@thedude8457]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@darrenstephens8857]

He was my friend we met in 1985 Hanley Stoke on Trent Staffordshire UK. We worked together on the script of Two Hands. His character was based on myself a child of 6 year's who committed an armed robbery. I will always remember Heath and how he could mimic a person completely a true genius.

[@chilibeans9523]

Um

[@stopbunsen]

The fact that we are still talking about him now, all these years later, says something. But his life wasn't tragic, his death was

[@FarhanAhmed-qb7xn]

He was a legend Legends never die Rest in peace 😭

[@roanwise6776]

greatest modern actor period

[@sikeitschelseab5538]

@@ghostofdeath663 read the room💀

[@soleilm3866]

Omg 28. Just when he was entering full manhood, so young, so beautiful, so humble... so gifted.. RIP beautiful soul. I love you.

[@isabellasalinas1778]

his death makes me so upset and uneasy i cry sm

[@joshjones8411]

RIP to one of the absolute best, a legend, and most importantly a genuinely good person.

[@michaelbullock8011]

Great video and I enjoyed it and R.I.P to a legend and have a blessed day

[@ShadowW0lf1]

I always knew he was going to be a star when I saw him in "10 things", but I didn't know how big. Rest In Peace Ledger. You're still missed and will never be forgotten.

[@simdimdim]

He was already a star, and just went supernovae, later on leaving a black hole inside our hearts

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

At first I refused to see "A Knight's Tale" as the music wasn't period accurate, a quirk of mine, but after hearing how good it was from a friend I checked it out and now I love it.

[@globaltunes486]

Smh they need to show more respect on his name he was such a good actor and best joker of all time smh Rip Heath Ledger

[@Rodeo_Wizard]

There's no telling how far his Hollywood career would lead him. Heath would have gone to achieve such great acting achievements and awards. Rest in Peace Heath Ledger, a legacy that will live forever.

[@anosvoldigoat666]

Its sad that for the greatest movie ever the dark knight we had to lose the greatest joker bc he pushed himself to give it to us

[@SgtPrice1000]

I don't think we'll ever know for sure if Ledger's remarkable dedication to his role in the Dark Knight indirectly contributed to his death. One thing that I do know for sure is that his performance as Joker is one of if not the greatest in history for a villain in cinema. The number of accolades that he posthumously won for his role is evidence alone. We miss you Heath.

[@byucatch22]

His performance is my favorite villain performance of all time, and it's not close. Quite possibly my favorite *performance* of all time.

[@commonsense2680]

The tragedy is that he died so young, not that his life was tragic. We imagine how many amazing performances he would have accomplished if he had lived. Of course, in the last 100 years drugs have cut short so many talented peoples' lives, that is the biggest tragedy.

[@jessicapazo7718]

Even his voice is soothing.

[@TaskForce_911]

Heath Ledger lives in our hearts. ❤️😭

[@juannito246]

To say his life was tragic is crazy shame on you he had a great career and is one of the most respected actors

[@rayaansalem6761]

RIP Heath Ledger

[@selviselvakumar833]

Some people are saying that he died but he didn't die from people's heart.... R.I.P

[@adrianaraap1680]

a knight tale and the patriot

[@calmyournerves2951]

Through my eyes, the character of the Joker died when Heath Ledger died. Thats how powerful of an actor he really was! Too bad he didn't survive his insomia and drug problem...I would have love to see him in a Joker origin story.

[@aussie420gaming6]

You are so loved from down under. I will show my kids your movies. And your OG home and away. Much love.

[@JP91979]

I regret not knowing he died before I went to see the Dark knight. Felt he was a great actor, and is sorely missed.

[@ateeqraheem9255]

Forever he will live on. Something was special about him . I feel I’m reflecting my own life on his own

[@christopherbraley7571]

👏 thank you for the show Heath RIP

[@realbladerunner]

He was such a good actor can’t imagine what roles he could have done all these years later

[@shana4503]

i'll never forget hearing the news...it was my 23rd birthday, every year i think of him so so so sad he was def one of the greats!!!!!

[@sburris65]

A friend of mine was on the set of the Patriot in Charleston. She said he was very quite, shy, but very kind.

[@masoprid3]

he is from my home town city Perth Australia. for anyone that doesn't know the Australian movie "two hands" should definitely check it out its a great movie with him in his earlier career. R.I.P legend Heath Ledger

[@demonic-deadbeat3212]

It's a Shame He was such a Great Actor too. 😢😭

[@vibes4813]

This was made on my birthday. What a birthday gift

[@thepandaahbear9025]

Watchmojo often finds such fitting scenes from the respective movies that perfectly match the videos narrative. So cool!

[@awood9214]

Oh god...I'm not ready for this. Rest in Peace Heath.

[@skorpione10]

He was honestly the only actor who could deliver cringy romantic lines without making me cringe. Every other hollywood actor's made me cringe. But Ledger delivers them with innocence. God bless his soul.

[@beckykerr5829]

Love this man so much xx

[@CcrazyCatLadyy]

Wanna know whats weird? This video came out on my birthday andddd Heath Ledger is my favorite actor o-o

[@bunnyja2139]

2021 now I still miss U , The Hot Aussie Heath Ledger , Rest in peace

[@cherrypink1108]

I loved Heath Ledger and was devastated when he died:(. I loved him in A Knight's Tale his smile and cute wavy blond locks really did for me so cute. He was a good actor from the movies I saw. I loved the Dark Knight he was good as the Joker too. Very different from Jack Nicholson but I don't think you could compare the two. He and Joaquin Pheonix were crazy but good. So sad Heath is gone.

[@angelheart747]

I loved his text , monologue/ dialogue in the DARK KNIGHT … his performance there was overall PRICELESS, truly, in my opinion, he deserves like 2 Oscars and to be on Hollywood s Walk of Fame for like eternally… His Joker , man … it was something else , it was outta this world.. I have seen it like a thousand times and still can’t get enough of it… Kudos to you Heath , you will sure as h*** , rest in never ending peace ✌️ ! I will join ya up there , but not yet …

[@rfm9535]

His performances in THE DARK KNIGHT & BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN define his legacy. You would never guess they were the same person. That's probably the highest compliment you can pay an actor.

[@keelinbarry5897]

The best smile

[@Shebeast3]

a beautiful human being and he was gone too soon❤️💙💜❤️

[@colo_vandeint]

Heath Ledger is my inspiration and the reason why I took Theatre Arts. I wanna be a great actor like him.

[@juliehardingham108]

Another beautiful soul .with love Jdx

[@ryanstaiger1712]

He did not go crazy for the thousandth time. It was an accidental death. Glad there are more vids like this that clear it up

[@ChillBell]

It took you guys this long to do this.

[@jomac2046]

Sometimes the world just ain't fair, a young great actor like Ledger never got to grow old.

[@johnnypalermo1806]

He is and will always be a legend.

[@katherineradisky770]

I miss him very much. ☹️

[@AnthonyHirsch]

Dude was a legend would have gone down as one of the top actors of all time if not the greatest

[@uinisefaustinafoochong7743]

Thanks for bringing me heath bars heath

[@jenniferrin9546]

I'd love for him to be my father. When I listen to his story, it's like I'm seeing a father who is trying to over come life for his child, even though that might not be the case. Then as time passes by, he get's wiser. He sees the child or children grow and when they have a problem, he's there to give them the comfort or truth he himself had to figure out. "Life isn't pretty, but you can make it gorgeous", I picture he'll say. "Thanks dad. I love you", will be given in return......Thank you Heath.

[@sxuxxxxers354]

favourite film of his was two hands, joker is a close second but his emotion when playing jimmy was surreal

[@bellamelvina66]

I'm crying

[@koollikedatt007]

One of my favorite actors of all time, Blackrock is still one of my favorite movies, A knights tale definitely!!

[@nancychandler768]

My God, he was gorgeous and talented and respected... missed much 💔

[@whiteshadow1476]

One of my fav actors

[@dianaalbright3044]

Definitely one of the most talented actor ever was.... R.I.P

[@tanahillman4289]

Still my favorite actor.

[@leonbowen6567]

Great gdamn video

[@15Candles]

If he's alive and well, he would be the most wanted actor in Hollywood by film producers and film directors

[@emmaransford]

Heath left us too soon really sad x