Tributes

Here are some quotes from those remembering Heath Ledger:

“Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual who was extremely inspirational to many.”

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim.

“It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation’s finest actors in the prime of his life. Heath Ledger’s diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor.”

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

“I adored him. I don’t know how to compare his talent to others but he’s touched me deeply as a talent and it’s a great loss – losing him at any age would be a loss but it was pretty rough news. I was really shocked by it.”

John Travolta

“I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Mel Gibson

“What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Heath’s family.”

Nicole Kidman

“I am shocked and very saddened by the news. I deeply respected Heath’s work and always admired his continuing development as an artist. My thoughts are with his family and close friends.”

Cate Blanchett

“I think Tennyson got it right in the poem when he described someone as having died at a young age but burning the candles at both ends, and oh what a beautiful flame he made, that was Heath, what a beautiful flame he made and a great talent. My heart goes out to everyone in his family and my family. The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved
dearly.”

Larry Williams – ex-partner Michelle Williams’ father.

“That’s terrible. Drugs today… when we stopped taking drugs, they started. It is just an epidemic. I am sorry to hear that. He was a great talent.”

Dennis Hopper

“It’s really, really sad. I hope his family is okay. I wish them the best.”

Charlize Theron

“The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Warner Bros president Alan Horn and studio president Jeff Robinov.

“He made a decision about four years ago to stop being led by producers and managers and to forge his own way. He started working with the most interesting directors. He was so successful at breaking out of the teen idol image.”

Neil Armfield, who directed Ledger in his last Australian film, Candy.

“I went through a similar thing with River Phoenix in the fact that he was so young. It’s a real tragedy when someone so talented dies because you don’t know on the early part of their career what more they could offer us”

Director Rob Reiner

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