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Heath Almost Gave Up Pills

Friends, colleagues remember tragic actor

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2009 3:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Heath Ledger was a complicated actor who quit using marijuana and alcohol and came close to giving up the sleeping pills that may have killed him, friends and colleagues tell Vanity Fair in a profile. Though he was leery of summer blockbusters—“He was afraid it would define him and limit his choices,” says his agent—he found some compelling reasons to appear in The Dark Knight.

His pay-or-play deal ensured he would be compensated regardless, and the long shoot enabled him to turn down other films. One cinematographer says Ledger wanted to play the Joker as such a wild character that the performance would get him fired—but still paid. “He was ready to bust out of the gate, but he didn’t want to step on the gas and become something that he didn’t want to become: a matinee idol,” says his agent.

In this file photo originally released by Warner Bros., Heath Ledger portrays The Joker in a scene from  The Dark Knight.
In this file photo originally released by Warner Bros., Heath Ledger portrays The Joker in a scene from "The Dark Knight."   (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Stephen Vaughan)
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film Candy in New York.
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2006 file picture, actor Heath Ledger arrives for the premiere of his new film "Candy" in New York.   (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)
Heath Ledger arrives for the screening of  I'm Not There in competition at the 64th Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, in this Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007 file photo.
Heath Ledger arrives for the screening of "I'm Not There" in competition at the 64th Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, in this Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
drlarrymitchell
Jun 30, 2009 5:24 AM CDT
I've almost given up Newser.
brawne
Jun 30, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
Hello? I wouldn't and I don't. You never quit what works.
hamsammichs
Jun 30, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
Why would anyone want to quit on mary jane? Thats my only question.

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