Heath Ledger's Australian Hometown Names Theater After Him

By Us MagazineJuly 1, 2008, 6:29 am PDT
Story photo: Heath Ledger's Australian Hometown Names Theater After HimUs Magazine
Officials in Heath Ledger's Australian hometown have named a theater after him.

The $87 million, 575-seat Heath Ledger Theater in Perth will honor the late actor's commitment to acting, Western Australia state Premier Alan Carpenter said at a naming ceremony Tuesday.

"Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that's what made him successful," Carpenter said, according to the Associated Press. "I think what we're doing is continuing that support for young people who want to make a career in the arts and acting, stage and in film, whatever it happens to be."

See a photo retrospective of Ledger's life.

Kim Ledger " the actor's father who attended Tuesday's ceremony " said "there's not a lot of things [Heath] would put his name to, but he'd put his name to that."

Kim added that his family plans to attend The Dark Night premiere in NYC later this month. (A rep for Michelle Williams recently denied reports that the actress is boycotting the film's premiere because she is feuding with Ledger's family.)

Ledger " who died of an accidental prescription drug overdose at age 28 in January " is already generating Oscar buzz for his role as the Joker.

"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up," Rolling Stone's Peter Travers writes.

In the film's credits, Ledger will be acknowledged with Conway Wickliffe, a special-effects technician on the film who died in a stunt in September.

"In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," the credit reads, according to Warner Bros. publicity Web site.

Co-star Christian Bale recently told Details Ledger was "a good man, and I was glad to have spent time with him."

See memorable photos of Heath and his daughter Matilda.

More news from Usmagazine.com

back to top

comments

  • Ashlee
    Actually "jbb"...if you've ever seen any of his movies...he really was that great and The Dark Knight looks like one of his best yet so I think it is very appropriate for him to get an Oscar nomination for it. He deserves it.
    report abuseposted July 10, 2008, 2:16 am PDT
  • Jenny
    I think it's wonderful to name a building after him. He was so cute.
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 12:21 pm PDT
  • jbb
    People need to let him go. He's gone and not coming back. He was an actor so what. All this Oscar talk too, he's not ever going to know he won. Give it to someone who is alive and will enjoy the moment. He wasnt that great.
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 8:07 am PDT
  • cooldude
    HE WAS WEIRD TO A CERTAIN POINT HOW HE GOT TO BE AN ACTOR THAT IS WEIRD I FEEL SORRY ABOUT HIS LIFE ENDING SO YOUNG
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 11:25 am PDT
  • darkknight
    The new theatre has been named "Heath's Hydrocodoneplex"
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 10:59 am PDT
  • avonda
    What was really the deal with the Olsen twin? Why was she called instead of 911?
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 10:49 am PDT
  • Date Sites Are Scams ...
    SPAMMERS ARE SCUM. ANYBODY THAT BELIEVES THAT A "CELEB" WOULD JOIN ANY OF THESE GARBAGE SITES DESERVES TO GET RIPPED OFF. THERE ALL SCAMS IN ASIA & RUSSIA!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 9:34 am PDT
  • boyluver and yes im ...
    An l: U R SO WEIRD! like REaLLY REALLY REALLY REALLY weird!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 9:01 am PDT
  • An l
    LOL....interesting...In my eyes, men have more sex drive for big boob&big booty women. I am a sexy big beauty, any guys there want to know me? Let's hook up here @@seekingbbw.c o m_____, where big boob women, big booty women and big manful guys meet and seek fu&love together!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2008, 8:05 am PDT

post your comment

hi there!

Want to post a comment? Just sign in and you'll be good to go.

sign in

Help us continue to improve omg! - Send Your Suggestions