Beloved Australian actor and father, Heath Ledger was born on April 4th, 1979. We have created a Memories Timeline exploring his life and career, prior to his horrific and shocking death in 2008.
Join Memories to request access to contribute your cherished photos, videos, and stories to Heath's memorial with others who loved them.
Join MemoriesMary Carr Heathcliff Andrew Ledger was born in Perth, Australia to Sally and Kim Ledger. He was named after the character in Wuthering Heights.
Mary Carr Ledger enrolled in Guildford Grammar School. Where he graduated early, at the age of 16 in 1988.
Mary Carr At the age of 10, Ledger won Western Australia’s Junior Chess Championship.
Mary Carr When he was 11 years old, Ledger played field hockey for the Kalamunda Hockey Club. From 1990 to 1992, his dad became the president of the hockey club. Ledger was a part of the State U17 Squad, with some people assuming he would be a professional field hockey player.
Mary Carr In 1992 Ledger landed his first acting role in the Australian film, 'Clowning Around'. A series about a boy who runs away from his foster home hoping to fulfil a lifelong dream of becoming a circus clown.
Mary Carr Ledger's aunt died of lung cancer in 1992, an event that he said changed his outlook on life.
Mary Carr Although never professionally trained, Ledger loved dance and the art behind it. He was inspired by Gene Kelly, the famous actor, singer, and tap dancer who starred in musicals during the 1940’s and 50’s. Ledger never featured in any musicals, but you can find his moves in '10 Things I Hate About You' and 'A Knight’s Tale'.
Mary Carr Ledger pictured in Casting Photos in 1995, as Snowy Bowles in Network Ten’s TV Series ‘Sweat’ (1996). He portrayed the first gay teenager on Australian TV.
Mary Carr Heath in additional casting photos from 1995.
Mary Carr In 1996, Ledger joined the Globe Shakespeare Company in Perth, Australia. Where he gained skills and experience that would later aid in his future acting roles.
Mary Carr Ledger portrayed a gay cyclist in the Australian TV series, 'Sweat'. 'Sweat' is a TV drama following the lives of the students at West Coast sports academy, an Australian school for the athletically-gifted.
Mary Carr Ledger lands his first film role in 'Blackrock', an Australian film. 'Blackrock' is about a teen (Laurence Breuls) who agonizes over what to tell police about a girl's death after seeing schoolmates rape her.
Mary Carr Ledger played Patrick in the film hit '10 Things I Hate About You', alongside Julia Stiles. The film explores the life of a high-school boy, Cameron, who wanted to date Bianca. However, he was unable to until her anti-social older sister, Kat, had a boyfriend. So, Cameron paid a mysterious boy named Patrick, to charm Kat.
Mary Carr Ledger's role launched his career, with incredible opportunites being offered to him, such as the lead in Spiderman!
Mary Carr Ledger starred in another Australian film, 'Two Hands'. Two Hands is a 1999 Australian comedy crime film written and directed by Gregor Jordan. The film starred Heath Ledger as Jimmy, a young man in debt to Pando, a local gangster played by Bryan Brown and also featured Rose Byrne, David Field, and Susie Porter. It won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film in 1999.
Mary Carr Heath Ledger and Heather Graham began dating. Graham is an American actress appearing in the well versed TV show, 'Scrubs'. The pair dated for a year, before splitting in 2001. The pair eventually called it quits a few years later.
Mary Carr Ledger starred in 'The Patriot' with household name, Mel Gibson. Did you know Ledger did his own stunts for the film? He was chosen for the part because the producers and director said that he possessed “exuberant youth.”
Mary Carr 'The Patriot' is about a ferocious veteran, Benjamin, after he got married, he forsakes his violent past. As after his wife dies, he single-handedly raises his seven children but joins the nation's war after his son is killed.
Mary Carr Heath Ledger lands one of his most memorable roles in 'A Knight's Tale'. Portraying peasant squire, William Thatcher.
Mary Carr 'A Knights Tale' is an action film focusing on the moments when William Thatcher discovered that his master Sir Ector is dead. He wore his armour to impersonate him at a jousting tournament in which he won. Making him want to participate in more tournaments.
Mary Carr Heath Ledger meets Naomi Watts on the set of Australian film, 'Ned Kelly', before the two began dating. Naomi Watts is an Australian actress who is well know for her roles in 'Love Alone' and 'King Kong'. 5 years later, in 2007; the pair ended their relationship.
Mary Carr Ledger stars in 'Four Feathers', a film about Harry Faversham, a young British officer, who resigns from the regiment just before the battle. Labelled a coward and disowned by his loved ones, he goes on a mission to gain back his self-respect.
Mary Carr In 2002, he was offered the role of Peter Parker in Spider Man, however he chose to turn it down.
Mary Carr Ledger is named one of Australian GQ's Men of the Year, for acting.
Mary Carr The film, 'Ned Kelly' was released in 2003, featuring Ledger alongside A-list actors such as Orlando Bloom and Naomi Watts. The film was based on the book 'Our Sunshine' by Robert Drew.
Mary Carr Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger meet on the set of 'Brokeback Mountain' and later become a couple. Michelle Williams is an American actress known for her role in 'Dawson's Creek'.
Mary Carr Michelle Williams gives birth in New York City to their daughter, Matilda Rose.
Mary Carr After starring in 'Brokeback Mountain' together, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger became close friends. Ledger later asked Gyllenhaal to be his daughter, Matilda's godfather.
Mary Carr The film 'I'm Not There' is released, inspired by the life of Bob Dylan. Ledger was one of 6 actors playing a side of this actor, in a psychological thriller.
Mary Carr The filming for 'The Dark Knight' commences, the sequel to Batman Begins, in which Ledger played The Joker to Christian Bale’s Batman.
Mary Carr The film led to sleepless nights for Ledger, resulting in exhaustion emotionally and physically. Close friends to him described his feelings as a result of grappling with the pressures of fame and reeling from a recent breakup.
Mary Carr Heath Ledger died due to an accidental drug overdose. Reports even suggested that the actor was depressed after playing Joker in The Dark Knight. The character took a toll on him mentally and physically, so much so, that he suffered from insomnia.
Mary Carr Ledger received a posthumous Academy Award for best supporting actor after his death in 2008. These related to his parts in 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'The Dark Knight'.