Today in entertainment…
Gemma Ward spoke to the Sydney Morning Herlad this week where she spoke for the fisrt time of Heath Ledger.
“He really, really knew that if he was going to make a decision to be in a film, then he needed to be really committed to it. He operated from the heart. He wasn’t afraid to fight with people, he wasn’t afraid to piss people off. He told me to always be a punk and stand up for yourself.”
Meanwhile, Gemma’s first film, The Black Balloon, hits cinemas tomorrow. Here’s the trailer…
A final farewell to Heath Ledger was held in Perth on Saturday where Cate Blanchett “gave a funny, moving eulogy about their times spent together”.
Michelle Williams made a tribute to Heath by reading Shakespeare’s 18th sonnet and there was also a video tribute from two year old Matilda.
After the service, a wake was held at Indiana Tea House at Cottesloe Beach in Perth where around 50 mourners, including Rose Byrne and Heath’s ex fiancée Michelle Willliams, ran into the water at the beach which was Heath’s favourite place to swim.
After that, everyone linked hands and watch the sun go down together.
Heath’s death was caused by an accidental overdose. Here’s the official statement.
“Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine. We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications.”
While there was been a memorial service for Heath in LA, the funeral will take place in Perth on Saturday.His family have released this statement since the autopsy results.
We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today’s results put an end to speculation, but our son’s beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts.
While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.
Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.
We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.
At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography.
So there you have it kids. Hopefully that will be it.
There’s always one isn’t there?
This sign was printed up in a San Diego ‘Best Buy’ this week where a sick fuck of a manager thought he’d do his best to cash in on Heath Ledger’s death and sell a few more movies.
“Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up with the best memories of him.”
Michelle Williams official statement on Heath Ledger’s death.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who is also Matilda’s godfather, is refusing to talk to the media in regards to Heath Ledger’s death.
Jake is currently in New Mexico filming the movie ‘Brothers’ with Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire. Sources say the set has been closed to crew memebers only and extra security has been hired to ensure Jake is left alone.
Michelle Williams and daughter Matilda have arrived in New York where she was greeted by her mother, sister and Matilda’s godmother, Busy Philipps. Not surprisingly, Michelle is reported to be “in her own world” right now.
Michelle’s father, Larry Williams had this to say to The Daily Telegraph:
“I think 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 whom he just loved.”
‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’, the film that Heath Ledger was in the middle of filming has been completely shut down and all crew members were let go.
A source said, “We were supposed to start this weekend, but obviously they fired everyone today. They don’t know yet what they are doing with the footage that was already shot.”
Heath’s involvement in the film helped them to get most of the financing they needed. A spokesperson for the film is yet to make a statement.
Meanwhile, the release of ‘The Dark Knight’ is still going ahead however the marketing is supposedly being reworked as it was obviously all revovling around Heath’s character.
It was reported earlier that the police “recovered a $20 bill with narcotic residue on it” in Heath’s apartment but the Associated Press have since quashed this rumour and said:
“A rolled-up $20 bill was found near Heath Ledger’s body, though no illegal drugs were found in his apartment, police said Wednesday.The bill would be taken to a lab for testing, though no visible drug residue was found on it, police said.”
Just when you thought people couldn’t get any more fucked up, an arsehole puts up his hand and says “Yes we can!”.
Reverend Fred Phelps of Westbro Babtist Church is planning protesting Heath’s funeral. The reason being is that this twat doesn’t understand the difference between film and reality.
Absolutely despicable.
