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Heath Ledger

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Heath Ledger as The Joker in 'The Dark Knight'
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Michelle Williams dives into the ocean at Heath Ledger's Memorial
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Kim Ledger, father of Heath Ledger arrive at the airport of their hometown in Perth, Australia
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Heath Ledger & Michelle Williams, January 2006, Melbourne, Australia
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Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger at the 2006 SAG Awards
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Heath Ledger's body is taken from a Manhattan funeral home
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Heath Ledger's family arrives in Los Angeles
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Heath Ledger's Family arrives in Los Angeles
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Heath Ledger's Family in Los Angeles

Latest News

2008-09-29 12:58:14

Lawyer, Insurance Company Spar Over Unpaid Heath Ledger Policy

A former attorney for Heath Ledger is suing over a $10 million life insurance policy he claims has gone unpaid since the actor’s death.

Attorney John S. LaViolette sued Minnesota-based ReliaStar Life Insurance Company in July, claiming the company is trying to avoid paying the claim to Ledger’s young daughter, Matilda Rose.

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overview

Heath Ledger was born in Perth, Australia April 4, 1979. He first burst on to the acting scene in the 1997 Fox series, "Roar." He made the leap to the big screen the following year in "Two Hands." His film career, along with heartthrob status, really took off with 1999's, "10 Things I Hate About You," in which he starred opposite Julia Stiles. His success continued with 2000's "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson.

In October of 2000, Heath began dating actress Heather Graham. He was honored the following year with ShoWest's "Star of Tomorrow" award. 2001 was a stellar year for the actor, starring opposite Halle Berry in her Academy Award-winning role in "Monster's Ball," along with the lead role in, "A Knight's Tale." The following year, Heath began dating fellow Aussie Naomi Watts. The acting couple split in May 2004.

Heath's career took a major turn in 2004, when he signed on to play Ennis Del Mar, a closeted and conflicted gay cowboy in Ang Lee's, "Brokeback Mountain," opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and future fiancée, Michelle Williams. Heath and Michelle had a daughter, Matilda Ledger, in 2005, before separating amicably in 2007 – they were never married.

Heath recently completed filming as the iconic "Joker" in the sequel of Christopher Nolan's take on the Batman franchise — "The Dark Knight," due for a summer 2008 release.

Heath's young and talented life was cut short on January 22, 2008 when he was found dead in his New York City apartment.

Name:Heath Ledger
Birthdate:1979-04-04 00:00:00
Birthplace:Perth, Australia

fun facts

Heath Ledger received an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award nominations for his role in 'Brokeback Mountain'. He did not win any of them.
Heath Ledger won the New York Film Critics Circle Award, San Francisco Film Critics Award and the MTV Movie Award for best kiss for 'Brokeback Mountain'.
He also received nominations for 'A Knights Tale' and '10 things I hate about You' from the MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
Heath Ledger was named ShoWest's Male Star of Tomorrow in 2001.