Heath Ledger is dead !!!

Heath Ledger has been found dead in his SoHo apartment in New York City.
He was found in his bed by his housekeeper at 3:35 PM ET, reportedly surrounded by pills.
The 28-year-old actor has a 2-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose, with former fiancee Michelle Williams.
Just this past weekend, Heath was in London filming the Terry Gilliam-directed movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The last pictures of Heath were taken this past Saturday–he was dressed in a clown costume.
The Australian-born actor was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for his role as gay cowboy Ennis in Brokeback Mountain. He also finished filming his role as The Joker in the new Batman film, The Dark Knight.
UPDATE 1: According to The New York Times, “At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play. Officials said pills were found near the body.”
UPDATE 2: Heath was found in his bed, naked and face down. There were prescription bottles left uncovered near the deceased–prescription sleeping medication.

Here are the first celebrity reactions of Heath Ledger’s death:
“What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family.” — Nicole Kidman
“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
“He is one of my favorite actors. His abilities are rare…it’s a tremendous loss. It’s hard to be here celebrating Australia under these circumstances.” — John Travolta
“It was with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Heath Ledger. 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.” — Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia
“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.” — Statement by Alan Horn, President and COO of Warner Bros. and Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Heath Ledger’s family is reeling after learning of the actor’s death from the media today, reports In Touch.
Family friend and private investigator Paul Barresi spoke to Heath’s uncle Neil Bell today. Bell is in his early 60s and was, Heath’s personal assistant, confidante and mentor.
“The last thing that Heath would want to do is throw it all away. He was very happy living in New York, ” Bell told Barresi. “His mother and father (in Australia) heard of his death on the news. We are all devastated. The whole family is devastated over his death, and more so over having to learn of his death from the media.”
Bell recalled, “Ever since Heath was a little boy, all he ever dreamt of was becoming an actor. Heath knew at a very young age that acting was his destiny and purpose.”

Heath Ledger’s father Kim released the following statement with regards to the 28-year-old actor’s tragic death Tuesday in New York:
“Heath’s family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time.
“We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. 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 and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.”

Michelle Williams‘ father Larry told Australia’s The Daily Telegraph that Heath Ledger’s death has left his family broken hearted.
Mr. Williams said, “I think [poet] 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 2-year-old daughter [Matilda] whom he just loved dearly.”

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