Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Arts & Society

Media Credit: daily mail Heath Ledger's life was tragically cut short on Jan. 22.

Heath Ledger left the world with all the potential someone could have. He was a young and talented actor, doting father and kind and respectful neighbor in the Soho section of Manhattan. At the shockingly young age of 28, Ledger never got the chance to experience the great life that was ahead of him, which is the biggest loss of all.

His housekeeper and a masseuse, who was scheduled for an appointment with Ledger that afternoon, found the actor dead in his New York City apartment on Jan. 22. Police do not suspect foul play but the exact cause of death remains a mystery.

Rather than focusing on his death, this article will celebrate the meteoric rise of an actor who tackled complex characters with a rare skill that was needed in today's cinema.

The Australian-born Ledger invaded the shores of Hollywood with his breakout role of Patrick Verona in "10 Things I Hate About You," a modern twist on Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" co-starring Julia Stiles. The film remains a classic of our generation and Ledger's first and last brush with a teenage-heartthrob role, as the cautious actor became choosier with each new role.

He would follow "10 Things" with the highly successful Revolutionary War drama, "The Patriot," as Mel Gibson's eldest son. He then played the romantic lead in the more commercial, "A Knight's Tale" and then would show his first hint of genius in his small but potent role in "Monster's Ball." Another notable role was his Jacob Grimm opposite Matt Damon in the solid whimsy of "The Brothers Grimm."

His greatest role and the film that will preserve him in American history is his stellar performance as Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain." The anguish of the confused cowboy drew him rave reviews, an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, not to mention the comparisons to Marlon Brando and Sean Penn. The challenging role had Ledger tackling a layered character but with a completely internal performance as Ennis seems unable to ever express his love for Jack Twist. The conflicted man of Ennis Del Mar is unforgettable for any audience, especially when in the deserving hands of Heath Ledger.

After "Brokeback Mountain," the actor continued with more indie-fare including the lead in a heroin-fueled romance between his poet character and Abbie Cornish's art student in "Candy."

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