Friends Recall Heath Ledger's Final Days

Us Magazine - January 16, 2009 12:42 PM PST
Story photo: Friends Recall Heath Ledger's Final DaysHeath Ledger attends the Alberta Ferretti Boat Party during Day 6 of the 64th Annual Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2007 in Venice, Italy.Us Magazine
To remember Heath Ledger -- Jan. 22 marks the one-year anniversary of his death from a prescription drug overdose at the age of 28 -- the late actor's closest friends and colleagues talk to the new issue of Entertainment Weekly and offer new insight into his sad final days:

See Us' photo tribute to Heath Ledger's life.

Catherine Hardwicke, director of Twilight: The pressures he was under, with his family, his daughter, everything, would stress out any yogi. Buddha would be stressed. You're being buffeted and pulled and tempted and flown across the ocean back and forth how does anybody survive that? Obviously a lot of people don't.

Terry Gilliam, director, The Brothers Grimm: All of us who were close to Heath knew what was going on, and it was not the most pleasant experience.... He was obsessed with his daughter. She became the center of his thoughts. He would drag her up to my house in London. Here's Heath, Academy Award nominee, and he'd just grab his daughter, stick her in a backpack, hop on the Tube, and come up to the house. Nobody would have thought, There's Heath Ledger . He was just a guy with a kid.

See photos of Heath Ledger with his daughter Matilda.

Nicola Pecorini, friend and cinematographer, The Order and Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus: Separation when there is a kid involved is always very painful, no matter what. And Heath was always very hard on himself. His tendency was always to say, ''What did I do wrong?'' He was really bleeding. And I'm pretty sure that all his sleeping problems had nothing to do with work and all to do with Matilda and Michelle.

Look back at Heath Ledger's loves through the years.

Gary Oldman , costar in The Dark Knight: Most of the conversations we had were about family. I think because I had been through being a single dad in the past, he was picking my brain a little. The last time I saw him, he said he was looking forward to spending some time with Matilda.

Gilliam: The insomnia was really getting to him. He'd arrive in the morning looking really shattered. I'd say, ''Let's take it easy because you're knackered.'' And he'd say, ''No, let's go.'' And he'd just whip the thing up into another gear very quickly and off we'd go. By the end of the day he was transformed into this beaming, angelic presence. The work just lifted him every day. He couldn't get enough of it.

See photos of other stars who have gone too soon.

Pecorini: I'm convinced Heath caught pneumonia at the end of that year. I remember I forced him to see a doctor, even though he didn't want to. The doctor said, ''Yes, you have the beginning of pneumonia. You'd better get antibiotics and go home and sleep.'' He got the antibiotics, but he refused to go home and sleep. And that very night, he delivered one of his best performances I have ever seen him deliver. He went on nerves, mainly.



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comments 1-10 of 19  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Peu
    If you really know about Lord Buddha's teaching no body will get stress.
    report abuseposted January 22, 2009 1:09 AM PST
  • DAVID
    megawatt..you should be totally ashamed of yourself! money, looks, etc DOES NOT mean happiness. Too bad you are far too insensitive and materialistic to understand the difference. Absolutely shameful post!!
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 4:56 PM PST
  • R R
    Not to say the least,his performance was stunning in The Dark Knight..... He will be sadly miss,but fortunate that he left one heck of a mark,in his performances,an his little girl.
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 4:52 PM PST
  • R R
    It's very sad when anyone dies,but it is reality,and part of life. It was very upsetting to here of his passing last year.My thoughts go out to his family,loved ones and friends,but ultimately,him. I thought he was an awesome actor....He was great in A Knight's Tale....he was priceless,just made me laugh,and yet he didn't just win the hearts of the crowds,the price,and a p
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 4:48 PM PST
  • lucy
    where does it say that he had to boys?? i thought matilda was his only child. he was a great actor and is truly missed.. no one will ever understand or know what was going on in his head before he died.. truly one the greatest actors of our time
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 4:30 PM PST
  • tkluwak
    Was this guy famous? He looks like a guy I went to school with named Dave. Was Heath his real name?
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 1:22 PM PST
  • PAT S
    He had two sons?
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 9:54 AM PST
  • satisfactory
    HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL ACTOR!!
    report abuseposted January 17, 2009 9:26 AM PST
  • filmlight
    like t0 see intv w walters and willians re relati0ns
    report abuseposted January 16, 2009 2:15 PM PST
  • my dime
    Oh gee, 20 something that make millions, pretty & healthy family, wow that's some pressure. Pull-eze
    report abuseposted January 16, 2009 1:50 PM PST
comments 1-10 of 19  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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