UPDATED: Stars React To Heath Ledger’s Death

Following news of Heath Ledger’s untimely death, his fellow Hollywood colleagues are responding.

Sean Combs, who was escorted to his on-screen execution by Heath in “Monster’s Ball,” expressed his devastation in an interview with ReelzChannel.

“We just stayed up and talked all night. I just saw him a couple of weeks ago. I saw him and we exchanged numbers and we were gonna call each other when we got back into New York,” Sean Combs said. “So I’m just trying to deal with it. But a great, great person. Huge talent.”

Meanwhile, Mel Gibson, who worked with Heath on the 2000 drama “The Patriot,” released the following statement to Access Hollywood:

“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.”

During the G’Day USA event on Tuesday night in New York, John Travolta also offered his condolences.

“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,” Travolta told Access. “Losing him at any age would be a loss but it was pretty rough news. I was really shocked by it.”

Later, inside the event, Travolta told the Australia Plays Broadway audience, “I would give back all my awards and nominations to get him back. We love you Heath, wherever you are.”

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Ledger’s fellow Aussie, Terri Irwin, said although she didn’t know the actor, she was saddened to hear the news of his death.

“I don’t know any of the details, but I do know that none of us are immune to tragedy and we’ll just pray for his family,” Irwin told Access.

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“My heart goes out to his family and his kid. I don’t know, you know, people have demons. Sometimes it’s hard to see them,” – William H. Macy, who spoke to Access at Sundance about losing his colleague.

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Director Todd Haynes, who worked with Heath on the Bob Dylan biopic “I’m Not There,” told Access, “This is an unimaginable tragedy. Heath was a true artist, a deeply sensitive man, an explorer, gifted and wise beyond his years. There is no finer person on this earth.”

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Geoffrey Rush, who shared the screen with Heath in the films “Ned Kelly” and “Candy,” called the actor’s passing a “tragedy.”

“This is such a sad event. I admired Heath enormously. He was a sensitive and committed and daring actor. This is truly a tragedy. I send my condolences to his family and friends and colleagues,” Rush said in a statement to Access.

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“Similar thing with River Phoenix, not in the circumstances in the way they died, but just the fact that they were so young,” – Director Rob Reiner.

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“They were good friends. Lindsay, like many others who knew Heath, is devastated by his loss.” – Michael Lohan, about daughter Lindsay’s reaction to the death of her friend.