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Hunky Heath Savored Challenges

'Craggy, sexy' actor carved out niche with tough roles

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2008 6:40 AM CST
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(Newser) – The late Heath Ledger, found dead yesterday in his Manhattan apartment, was a "craggy, sexy" actor who went about his craft with almost painful seriousness, says the Washington Post. He left an undeniable mark in film history, from his role in teen flick 10 Things I Hate About You as a fresh-faced unknown to his final part as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie.

Ranging across costume dramas and knighthood fantasies, Ledger's career hit a high point with his Oscar-nominated performance as a painfully quiet, broken-hearted gay ranch hand in Brokeback Mountain, a difficult role that demanded masterful communication of the unsaid. He had an old-fashioned manliness, notes Mick LaSalle in the San Francisco Chronicle, but "Ledger was at his best playing men in turmoil, men in trouble, men suffering from deep wounds to the spirit."

Heath Ledger arrives at the Marc Jacobs spring 2008 collection show during Fashion Week in New York, in this, Sept. 10, 2007, file photo. Ledger, 28, an Australian-born actor, was found dead in a Manhattan residence, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. He had an appointment for a massage at the residence...
Heath Ledger arrives at the Marc Jacobs spring 2008 collection show during Fashion Week in New York, in this, Sept. 10, 2007, file photo. Ledger, 28, an Australian-born actor, was found dead in a Manhattan...   (Associated Press)
This image provided by Focus Features shows actor Heath Ledger portraying the character Ennis Del Mar in the movie Brokeback Mountain. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding roles that defied his leading-man looks, was found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment. (AP Photo/Focus Features)
This image provided by Focus Features shows actor Heath Ledger portraying the character Ennis Del Mar in the movie "Brokeback Mountain." Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark,...   (Associated Press)
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film Candy in New York. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding roles that defied his leading-man looks, was found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment. The Australian-born actor...
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film "Candy" in New York. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding...   (Associated Press)
This image provided by Columbia Pictures shows actor Heath Ledger portraying the character William Thatcher in the movie A Knight's Tale. Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding roles that defied his leading-man looks, was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 in a Manhattan apartment. The Australian-born...
This image provided by Columbia Pictures shows actor Heath Ledger portraying the character William Thatcher in the movie "A Knight's Tale." Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward...   (Associated Press)
Australian actor Heath Ledger kisses girlfriend Michelle Williams during arrivals at the 15th annual Gotham Awards in New York, in this, Nov. 30, 2005, file photo. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at a downtown Manhattan residence, police said. He was 28. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, file)
Australian actor Heath Ledger kisses girlfriend Michelle Williams during arrivals at the 15th annual Gotham Awards in New York, in this, Nov. 30, 2005, file photo. Ledger was found dead Tuesday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
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Hollywood laments the loss of a young star
Variety

Ledger's career since Brokeback Mountain
Entertainment Weekly

 
Australia • obituary • Batman • Heath Ledger • Brokeback Mountain • actor • Oscars

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