Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Heath Ledger found dead in NYC, (1979-2008)

This is topic Heath Ledger found dead in NYC, (1979-2008) in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 01-22-2008, 04:02 PM:

He was found dead at 3:26pm. in his Manhattan apartment. He was 28 years old.

A.P. is reporting it may have been drug related.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-22-2008, 04:14 PM:

Another drug-related/overdose death of a talented "someone" who had much to live for...how sad and such a waste!

RIP Heath...may you be at peace and free of your demons.

NY Times

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 01-22-2008, 04:21 PM:

This is very shocking and sad news.

I'm wondering how far The Dark Knight has gone into post production and what impact Ledger's death will have on the film. The next Batman movie is expected to draw big crowds to the box office, but this event unfortunately will add a level of morbid curiosity to the situation. I just hope the movie turns out to be really great so it puts a good finish to what should have been a much longer career for Ledger.

Posted by Peter David Bruce (Member # 4447) on 01-22-2008, 04:36 PM:

Dear Lord. my goodness. This is awful news. Its not going to be nice for his family to have to see all the trailers and such with him looking like the joker, after this... It may cause the film to be a massive hit, with people also going there to lay their respects. Dear god. this is very sad news indeed.

Thanks for posting Bill. Im stuck in projection all day so youre the first person to tell me. I hope that his passing, in some way helped him. Who knows what demons people keep inside. I hope he is at peace.

Rest truly peacefully Heath.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-22-2008, 06:14 PM:

Latest news says it may be an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. On Perez Hilton he linked to an article where during the shooting of Batman, Ledger was only getting like 2 hours of sleep a night. You think there'd be some sort of regulation on how many hours someone can work a day in the movie industry.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-22-2008, 07:15 PM:

Isn't Hollywood a union town? Guess not, or there would be a regulation.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 01-22-2008, 07:56 PM:

The family said he has pneumonia, if so that could have done it, especially in comination with what would ordinally be non lethal doses of pills.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-22-2008, 09:08 PM:

And, apparently, Brad Renfro was found dead in Los Angeles a week ago. WTF?

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 01-22-2008, 09:13 PM:

quote: Mike Heenan
You think there'd be some sort of regulation on how many hours someone can work a day in the movie industry.

Ever hear of "Who Needs Sleep?" or Brent's Rule?

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-22-2008, 09:21 PM:

No I haven't, since it apparently is not on DVD according to imdb. And haven't seen the website either but it hasn't been updated in 10 years it seems.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 01-22-2008, 09:28 PM:

The DVD is (or was) available through the film's official website.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-22-2008, 09:28 PM:

At any rate ... I've apparently seen almost everything that Ledger has done and is available on DVD, so here's my Netflix ratings of his work (the yellow ones). Not that anyone cares. [Razz]

BTW, I have the Roar series at home, but I haven't had time to watch it yet.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-22-2008, 09:54 PM:

You've already got The Dark Knight ready for rental? And you've assigned it a rating?

(Note: I am unfamiliar with Netflix so I can only guess what all the stars and TDK's presence means)

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-22-2008, 10:41 PM:

I suppose as soon as a movie gets to the point where it has a release date, the folks at Netflix add it to their listings so people can put it on their queue and it gets sent to them as soon as the DVD comes out.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-23-2008, 12:50 AM:

I'm sorry I didn't know who this gentleman was. The story says he was in "Brokeback Mountain" (which I've never seen)... was he one of the leads?

RIP

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 01-23-2008, 01:38 AM:

Joe- The red stars are what other people have given the film. (Even though they haven't seen it yet) When they are gold, that is what you have rated it. I have had Revolver in my Queue for almost two years waiting for it to be released.

Tim- Heath Ledger was nominated for an Academy Award for "Brokeback Mountain" He was a great young talent and will be missed my the movie going public. He had a long career ahead of him.

R.I.P Mr. Ledger

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-23-2008, 01:39 AM:

quote: Adam Martin
...here's my Netflix ratings of his work (the yellow ones). Not that anyone cares.

Adam, I don't care... [Razz]

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 01-23-2008, 09:01 AM:

quote: Mike Heenan
You think there'd be some sort of regulation on how many hours someone can work a day in the movie industry.

There are strict SAG rules based on the ages of child actors. When it comes to adults, the general rules say that they have to have 12 hours off between shifts. So, for example, if you run late one day it might cause a delay in the next day's schedule... if you're using the same cast the next day, that is. If you try to bring an actor back the next day in less than 12 hours it's considered a "forced call" and the production has to negatiate a big bonus for the actor for working that day... which rarely happens because the producers would rather delay the crew call instead of pay big bucks... usually. I mean, they can put the schedule back on track after the weekend.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 01-23-2008, 10:04 AM:

AP reported the autopsy was inconclusive and more tests are needed, the medical examiners office said Wednesday.

Thanks Chris

[ 01-23-2008, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Bill Gabel ]

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-23-2008, 12:49 PM:

The word you're looking for is "inconclusive" btw.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-23-2008, 06:05 PM:

I have no tact.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-23-2008, 06:10 PM:

Ouch, wicked burn... Was wondering when this thread would go south. I think it took the Steve Irwin thread like 5 pages.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-23-2008, 11:19 PM:

Yes Mike, this thread has Jumped the Shark. [Razz]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-23-2008, 11:26 PM:

I know you guys laughed.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-24-2008, 12:20 AM:

I laughed, but not at the intention of the cartoon, it was moreso at how poor the artwork was. I was going to make fun of the quality but decided not to.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-24-2008, 12:40 AM:

Yes Joe, I laughed at and liked the intention...I also liked the artwork... [Smile]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-24-2008, 01:12 AM:

Just in case anyone is wondering, I did not draw that. If I had, Batman would not be an albino.

Posted by Scott McGuire (Member # 4508) on 01-24-2008, 02:00 AM:

Drew it our not you posted it. This thread is about a person who has passed. It might be some sick joke that i don't understand, however it seems very wrong. Show some respect to the dead, his family, and friends.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-24-2008, 02:35 AM:

Why? I didn't know him. I don't think his family and friends read Film-Tech. Just because he dies means that he deserves my respect? Why should he get more respect vs a ton of other people who die tragically every day? Because he's a celebrity? I don't think so. Death happens to EVERYONE. Why so serious? I highly doubt Heath Ledger is upset with me right now.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-24-2008, 03:26 AM:

Joe, my seance club had its weekly meeting tonight and we contacted Heath from the beyond and he said he is not upset with you.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 01-24-2008, 04:35 AM:

Agreed with Joe. As long as they're not malicious and/or in the presence of anyone connected with the deceased, slightly bad-taste jokes about the death of a celebrity are just human nature and I can't see anything wrong with them. What I do find really worrying is when people get seriously upset and emotionally affected about the death of someone they had no personal connection to whatsoever. If it's a filmmaker, writer, politician or some other person whose work I admired or respected, I might think 'Oh dear; that's a shame', but I really can't understand these people who built shrines to Princess Di in their houses and camped out for hours to stand along the route of the funeral procession. Surely they've got their own family and friends to expend emotional energy on?

Favourite politically incorrect joke: in 1994 the politician John Smith (the leader of the Labour Party just before Tony Blair) and the racing driver Ayrton Senna both died on the same day - Smith from a heart attack, and Senna in a spectacular crash during a race. The joke which then did the rounds of the university where I was a student as a time went like this: what's the difference between John Smith's widow and Ayrton Senna's? Mrs. Smith inherited the car.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 01-24-2008, 06:04 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
Why? I didn't know him. I don't think his family and friends read Film-Tech.

That was exactly my point during the Irwin thread; I'm glad to see someone else gets it. There is a similarity between the two deaths, though. Both men chose to be around things that had the potential to kill them.

I think the cartoon was funny. It looks like an episode of Dr. Katz. And be honest here people - the first thought everyone had was not, "Oh, that's so sad" it was "Did they finish filming? - Whew!"

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 01-24-2008, 10:22 PM:

You all have my permission to make fun of me or my death when I die [Smile]

Funny cartoons are certainly welcomed!!!

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-24-2008, 10:34 PM:

So Ledger's masseuse finds him sprawled on the bed, cold to the touch and not reactive, and the first person she calls is Mary Kate Olsen of The Olsen Twins fame (twice) who sends her private security team to check on him, and only after that does the masseuse finally think hey, maybe I should call 911. [uhoh]

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 01-24-2008, 10:41 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
Death happens to EVERYONE.

exactly Joe, we make so much fuss about famous people, when poor old Mr Brown down the road dies and no one notices. I think the sadness that surrounds death needs to be lightened up a bit . look at the Irish they party hard for a week with the body in the house !.
I guess we could do that when Phil Hill move on [Wink]

Heath was born in Perth , just down the road a bit from me , he went to school with my admin ladies husband , I enjoyed some of his films, he had what it takes and sad he leaves a young family , but life does go on and he is immortalized in his films unlike poor old Mr Brown.

Posted by Scott McGuire (Member # 4508) on 01-25-2008, 12:35 AM:

I'm wasn't making a huge deal because he was famous. I guess i just don't find humor in death. Weather it is some one famous or Mr. Brown down the street.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 01-25-2008, 07:50 AM:

Shit! Mr. Brown's DEAD??? What the...? I was only talking to him yesterday.

Oh, this is terrible...I have to let Mom know.

[Frown]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-25-2008, 03:43 PM:

quote: Phil Blake
...party hard for a week... I guess we could do that when Phil Hill move[s] on

Yes Phil, I'm sure there will be plenty of people dancing on my grave when I'm rotting in the ground. [beer]

Like Allison, please feel free to make fun of me and/or my death. I will be watching yous from above or below as the case may be and haunt accordingly. [Roll Eyes]

BTW Y'all, don't forget, Mrs. Brown has a lovely daughter...Girls as sharp as her are somethin' rare...

Posted by Rick Hunter (Member # 1606) on 01-25-2008, 04:17 PM:

quote: Phil Hill
Girls as sharp as her are somethin' rare...

Now you are showing our age...

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-25-2008, 04:40 PM:

Rick, Brad (our Grand-Poopie-BAH) turned me on to that video on MTV...I have no personal knowledge of what year it was popular since I am only a 39 y/o and have to rely on him for my info... [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 01-25-2008, 04:52 PM:

Herman's plea to Mrs. Brown

Phil, how many years have you been stuck at 39?

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 01-25-2008, 04:53 PM:

39 was a good year; where you in Atlanta for the Gone with the Wind premiere??? [evil]

The prescription drugs that Heath was taking can cause a sleeping death if usage is not supervised.
Phil, nice house and view too bad you where out [Smile]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-25-2008, 05:34 PM:

quote: Jim Bedford
Phil, how many years have you been stuck at 39?

Many less than Jack Benny... [Razz]

quote: Richard Fowler
Phil, nice house and view too bad you where out

When where you out in my neighborhood? Sorry I missed you...

If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a cake, or I would have taken you out to dinner...Ummmmm YOU buy of course! [Wink]

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 01-25-2008, 05:42 PM:

This trip I was on a "Pinks" budget [Razz]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-25-2008, 11:24 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
I have no tact.

Okay, I must be hopelessly out of touch. I don't get the cartoon. What's he pouring on the floor?

???

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-25-2008, 11:26 PM:

Looks like he's spilling a bottle of pills on the floor. Which makes the cartoon inaccurate since (apparently) no drugs were reported strewn about the room. [Razz]

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 01-26-2008, 01:10 AM:

looks like sleeping pills to me.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-26-2008, 01:12 AM:

I'd bet they were PIRIN tablets... [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-26-2008, 01:46 AM:

Actually the initial reports said that pills were found about. Initial reports also said he was found on the floor (but in reality he was on the bed). Batman is trying to hide the fact that he MURDERED Heath Ledger.

I wonder if it was some kind of auto-erotic asphyxiation that was goin' on. He was nekkid, after all.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 01-26-2008, 02:34 AM:

quote: Joe Redifer
auto-erotic asphyxiation that was goin' on

Joe not all Australian celebrities die as Michael Hutchence did (INXS)

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-26-2008, 02:57 AM:

But unfortunately many 12y/o to 20-somethings do...

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 01-26-2008, 11:04 AM:

There was a shopping list of drugs found in the Olsen apartment, Xanax, Valium, some others prescribed in Europe, but I still haven't seen anything conclusive regarding what was found in his system. I suppose whatever he wasn't taking, Mary-Kate was.

"Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff"

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-26-2008, 11:36 AM:

quote: Joe Redifer
Batman is trying to hide the fact that he MURDERED Heath Ledger.

Okay. Ha.

So, how much of the Batman picture did Ledger shoot?

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 01-26-2008, 11:50 AM:

quote:
"Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff"

Especially if he books into the Monte Carlo Hotel...

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-26-2008, 12:02 PM:

Tim, I read on Aint it Cool News that Ledger's performance was 100% done with post production so it was in the can, so to speak. More interesting will be what happens to his role in Terry Gilliams new movie, which was in production.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 01-26-2008, 02:32 PM:

Tim, His role was that of the Joker in the latest Batman movie, Dark Knight.

The thing that puzzles me the most is the rolled up $20 dollar note that was found near his body, without any traces of drugs in it. Could this have something to do with auto-erotic asphyxiation?

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-26-2008, 03:38 PM:

Thanks, Mike. I must have read the initial story wrong, it sounded like he was shooting Batman now. I didn't catch the Gilliam info.

[oops]Thanks, Cameron, also...

[ 01-27-2008, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: Tim Reed ]

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 01-26-2008, 04:01 PM:

The police have reported that no Illegal drugs were found in the apartment. Also it was not the Olsen's apartment he was found in, it was his own. He was the only person living in it.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-26-2008, 04:28 PM:

The very first person notified about his death after being discovered? One of the Olsen bitches.

Posted by Brian Michael Weidemann (Member # 2243) on 01-26-2008, 04:39 PM:

Didn't know he was working on a Gilliam film. I think Terry Gilliam is severely cursed ... what project of his HASN'T had complications?!

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-26-2008, 04:48 PM:

quote:
So Ledger's masseuse finds him sprawled on the bed, cold to the touch and not reactive, and the first person she calls is Mary Kate Olsen of The Olsen Twins (twice) who sends her private security team to check on him, and only after that does the masseuse finally think hey, maybe I should call 911.

I had no idea. Also I later heard MKO was called four times.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-26-2008, 05:29 PM:

And, the massuese is not licensed in NY, and is going to be (or has been) arrested. I haven't read this anywhere but it would be interesting to know if he could have been saved had she called 911 first?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-26-2008, 05:32 PM:

A masseuse needs to be licensed? What the hell for?

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-26-2008, 05:57 PM:

Happy endings? Who knows... actually, they say that licensed masseuses are certified in CPR, so its possible maybe she could have done something to save him.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-26-2008, 08:47 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
A masseuse needs to be licensed? What the hell for?

Because a massage therapist who doesn't know what they're doing could severely hurt you.

You think "oh but they're just giving me a massage" but then think about all the nerves that are all over your body (especially the back which is where they usually focus on) or dealing with your spine in particular.

And since I had looked into being a massage therapist a while back. I remember that New York requires 1000 hours of training at a minimum (most states that license them require 500 or 750 hours). Though, in Canada they require 3000 hours of training (that's practically a bachelor's degree by that point).

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 01-27-2008, 01:38 AM:

quote: Chris Slycord
Because a massage therapist who doesn't know what they're doing could severely hurt you.

Guess he didn't get the 'happy ending'. [Roll Eyes]

It's offical, i'm going straight to hell.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 01-27-2008, 08:25 AM:

Can I just point out here that I really cannot believe all the press this story got (and continues to get) in Australia.

Unbelievable. I'm sorry for his passing but really... [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 01-27-2008, 09:21 AM:

quote: Chris Slycord
And since I had looked into being a massage therapist a while back. I remember that New York requires 1000 hours of training at a minimum (most states that license them require 500 or 750 hours). Though, in Canada they require 3000 hours of training (that's practically a bachelor's degree by that point).

I wonder who they practise on during their training? There was a hairdressers' training college in a town where I used to live, which offered free cuts to anyone who was willing to risk coming out looking like a hedgehog if they didn't get one of the brighter students. Presumably the places which train massage therapists offer a similar deal to anyone who is prepared to take a flyer on emerging slightly the worse for wear; but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to risk it!

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 01-27-2008, 10:21 AM:

quote:
I wonder who they practise on during their training? There was a hairdressers' training college in a town where I used to live, which offered free cuts to anyone who was willing to risk coming out looking like a hedgehog if they didn't get one of the brighter students. Presumably the places which train massage therapists offer a similar deal to anyone who is prepared to take a flyer on emerging slightly the worse for wear; but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to risk it!

They practice on other students in the classroom. Later, they give massages to the general public in a "student clinic" which is also under the supervision of an instructor.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 01-27-2008, 11:36 AM:

quote: Leo Enticknap
I wonder who they practise on during their training? There was a hairdressers' training college in a town where I used to live, which offered free cuts to anyone who was willing to risk coming out looking like a hedgehog if they didn't get one of the brighter students.

Hairdressing and 'Beauty therapy' are a major thing at the college where I work. We have a whole suite of salons which used to be known as 'Peppermint Studios', but were renamed 'Aura' when they were totally refurbished a couple of years ago. We get e-mails sent to all staff from time to time offering cheap treatments to any staff who are prepared to be victims, err clients. I don't know if they do gents hairdressing, or if it's only ladies. When I went to install a new 'phone on their reception desk the other day I did ask if they could glue a bit back on the front for me, but they declined.

There are a lot of girls who walk around the building dressed mainly in white, towing sort of airline cabin baggage on wheels type things behind them; they are the hairdressing and beauty therapy students. The beauty therapy bit is frightening; I don't know exactly what they do in there, but on the rare occasions that I've ever had to visit the place to look at non-working I.T. equipment it looks distinctly hospital-like. There's also a door marked 'Body Room', I have visions of that being where they dump the mortal remains of some of their less successful treatment attempts!

Why does anybody want beauty therapy anyway; what's wrong with being ugly?

I got into a lift recently, and found myself in the company of one of their lecturers, who had one of those small folding trolley things, full of heads, plastic dummy ones I assume, but it looked really funny. Sadly, I didn't have a camera with me; it would have been good for a caption competition.

We also do catering type courses, and have a training restaurant with kitchens and also a bar, I think there's also a small bar in the restaurant itself.

Joking aside, both catering and hairdressing students have won various external awards, so they can't be that bad.