Actor Heath Ledger Dead at 28

Photo from source, AOL News

One popular pastime of the cynical and darkly comic is the celebrity death pool. It's even been leaked that the Associated Press has been readying an obituary for Britney Spears, just in case. But I'd wager that nobody predicted this one.

The topic of Heath Ledger has come up recently in my household, after we caught a rerun of the movie Dick, staring Mr. Ledger's ex-wife, Michelle Williams. We were lamenting how sad it was that they'd split up, having a young daughter and all. Little did we suspect that days later things would get much more sad.

I wouldn't say I was a Heath Ledger fan. I found A Knight's Tale rather incomprehensible. But I did think he was terrific in Brokeback Mountain, even if I did think the film was too long by about a third. He was completely believable in his character, even as a man nearly twice his age by the end of the film. And while he will be fondly remembered by millions for that role, it is unfortunately leading to some dreadful comments in right-wing world right now. I won't dignify their hideous comments with a link, just trust me on this one.

Heath Ledger was an actor with a seemingly bright future, which we will still get to view in part. The Dark Knight, the next Batman movie will be released soon, featuring Ledger as The Joker.

[Excerpt]

Heath Ledger Found Dead in New York

Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment, naked in bed with prescription sleeping pills nearby, police said. The Australian-born actor was 28.

There was no obvious indication of suicide, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said. . .

Read more at: AOL News