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Ledger's Death an Accidental Overdose
A Rising Star's Tragic End
Heath Ledger's friend Vincent Fantauzzo has submitted a portrait of the actor the two conceived together for Australia's prestigious Archibald Prize. Of Ledger's death, Fantauzzo said, "I just didn't believe it. When you paint someone, you meditate over them. I was painting Heath every day for 10 hours a day."
INCO / Fame Pictures
Michelle Williams, left, and Kate Ledger arrive at the Feb. 9 memorial service for Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on Jan. 22. Matilda, Williams and Ledger's 2-year-old daughter, was not there.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
"It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world," said the actor's father, Kim Ledger. "Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe."
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
Model Gemma Ward, above, who was rumored to have dated Ledger briefly in late 2007 or early 2008, was among the celebrities on hand for Ledger's memorial. Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, who co-starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan biopic 'I'm Not There,' eulogized the late actor.
Rob Griffith, AP
Sally Ledger-Bell, left, and her husband Roger Bell arrive at the memorial service for her son, Heath, which drew about 100 mourners. It was followed by a more private funeral with "10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," according to Kim Ledger.
Rob Griffith, AP
Mourners arriving for the wake at the Indiana Tea House in Perth, Australia, were met by a floral tribute to Ledger, with a note that read, "To the Ledger Family, Deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved son. Our thoughts are with you always."
Paul Kane, Getty Images
Ledger's family and friends watched the sunset on Cottesloe Beach. "The sun goes down on our love," said two mourners. "But it will never go down on Heathy."
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
A group of mourners in various stages of dress ran into the water, including Ledger's sister, Kate, who got a hug from a friend. Ledger's father watched from the balcony of the tea house and shouted, "Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!" while giving the spectacle two thumbs up.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
Williams was walked into the ocean by a friend, too, and emerged from the water smiling. Ledger's family and friends watched the sunset on Cottesloe Beach. "It's exactly what Heath would have wanted," one mourner told PEOPLE magazine.
Matt Jelonek, Getty Images
The New York City medical examiner's office has ruled that Heath Ledger's death was caused by "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine." Five other medications were found in the actor's apartment by the NYPD.
Chris Carlson, AP
Recent Comments
S0ccermom09 11:01:43 AM Feb 16 2008
It's a shame that in today's society we still judge so harshly people we don't know. People deal as best they can with what they can, and though sometimes the outcome is tragic posting hateful and sarcastic comments on here won't change things. I, myself take some of the med's Heath did and sometimes they work for some and not on others. I believe that no one truly knows what he was going through and it's ignorant to be so cruel about someone who has passed. I think you need to educate youselves better on mental illness before you post comments that may offend people, remember this man has a family and many many friends that mourn over him!!!
JenGirl1988 05:43:29 PM Feb 13 2008
Accidental overdose?!?!?!?! OMG, what has gotten into Hollywood these days!?!?!?!? AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
onefastaston 11:13:39 PM Feb 12 2008
accidental overdoes. ya right. Another hollywood druggy
bites the dust. I can't figure out why they are put on pedestals is beyond me. Doesn't any common person have a life anymore? To be so focused on these whackos is what's sad.
mresnick 04:32:43 PM Feb 12 2008
Sometimes, we forget that over the counter meds may not agree with prescription meds.
grannnysangels 03:10:19 PM Feb 12 2008
You do not know what kind of medical issues he was dealing with and the reasons he was prescribed those medications so you ignorant haters have no right to comment. To scottervin948, a hundred years ago doctors gave out bottles of laudanum and heroin and you took whatever you needed when you wanted it. In other countries in the world you can buy this stuff legally over the counter without a prescription. If he needed the medication for health issues, it is no one's business but his and if he was seeing more than one doctor and not telling each what the other was prescribing, then he took a risk that could have been prevented. The problem with society today is that people who are taking these meds to get high are making it bad for people who really need it. I was a nurse for 20 years and injured myself on my job. I have had 5 surgeries and am in constant pain and I have to go through hell just to get enough medications so I can get out of bed daily and wash and dress myself alone. I can
sexyschultzee 02:25:08 PM Feb 12 2008
I do agree with others that there is no such thing as an "accidental overdose" , but I know someone now that the doctors have on multiple meds; icluding some of the ones Ledger died from; and the doctors told that person it was fine to take together. Sometimes I feel doctors today don't have a clue about what they are giving you. But, on a more serious note, we all know he overdosed but why in the hell isn't the massuse on the questioning stand? Or maybe even Mary-Kate? I still loved Heath and my heart goes out to his family, friends, and most of all, to ALL his FANS!!!!! Rest In Peace Heath Ledger!
gasque217 02:15:20 PM Feb 12 2008
I agree that there should be some kind of system or log that lets the doctor know what their patient is taken before giving them something else. My grandmother is on 8 to 9 different medications and whos to say that those medications are not going against each other. Doctors just give medication to people only because they ask for it, and not that they need it. That is why we have so many people overdosing. Doctors don't care just a long as they can get the money. Doctors are supposed to care about their patients not money. To many people have access to medication and too many people are selling their medication to make money off it. I am in Law Enforcement and I can't tell you how many times I've arrested someone and they had Oxycotin in their pockets and no reason for needing it. So whoever came up with the saying get a system so doctors will know was brilliant. I agree 100% with you on that one.
lordpetty43 12:41:13 PM Feb 12 2008
Yup theses young Inmature stars wont listen they rather play with death . well I got no feelings for stupidity. want play then you'll pay. SOME of the young stars of today rather do wrong then do right .like helping out . Course then theres the parents getting rich off there kids success. Yup thats my kid . cha ching $$$$$$$. bring it in kiddies.lol
scottervin948 12:30:21 PM Feb 12 2008
keep popping pills all the time! ! ! ! Why do we as humans turn to pills all the time???? What did they do 100 years ago??? NOT PILLS! ! ! ! In my opinion there is no such thing as a "accidental overdose" sorry to offend anyone
symondymon 10:14:50 PM Feb 11 2008
the poor guy obiviously had issues. I once took a ty pm and a diazoplam then went took take another diaz. and mistakenly took a xanax and that was the worst I have ever felt and I was only doing what I was prescibed. Do the doctors really know the effects of these drugs the give you. I was lucky enough to start vomiting before falling to sleep and I was ok. so i belive even in low doses these drugs are dangerous,and apperently deadly. When the dr. changes drugs get rid of the old because a combination is where the problem is. Rest your soul dude. I apologize for judging you. Depression sucks and trying to fix it is dangerous..
pikespeakbo 09:38:54 PM Feb 11 2008
Why does Stardom Kill? You have all the Fame and $$$ in the world. Is it true, $$$ cannot buy Happiness? I personaly think this is a prime example or key to the answer. MR. Ledger may you RIP............
smalto11 07:01:40 PM Feb 11 2008
he had four perscription meds and two over the counters..i'll bet that is less than most of the unhappy and unfullfilled people who now judge him..this was an accidental overdose..have some humanity for those who knew and loved him..
smalto11 06:59:37 PM Feb 11 2008
it was an accidental overdose..why are the haters so jealous and cruel when a tragedy happens to an actor..is is because someone else made something of themselves and followed their dreams and you didn't?..he had a few scrips and all were legal..he probably had less scripts than an unhappy housewife in the mid west..let the man rest in peace..
uoweigo 02:34:09 PM Feb 11 2008
GOOD FOR HIM I HOPE ALL THE STUPID ACTORS THAT ARE TAKING THESE PILLS SHOULD DIE THEY HAVE A LIFE THAT EVERYONE DREAMS OF AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE PILLS TO DEAL WITH IT SCREW THEM
jarrell1e 01:18:10 PM Feb 11 2008
THERE SHOULD BE A LOG ON THE COMPUTER THAT THAT PERSON'S INSURANCE COMPANY KEEPS THAT LOGS WHAT MEDICINE THAT PERSON IS TAKING, EVEN IF THAT PERSON SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT TJAING ANYTHING ELSE. DOCTORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS DATABASE WHERE THEIR PATIENT'S PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION IS ON THIS SYTEM, AND WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IN THEIR HOUSE (BY PILL COUNT AND WHEN IT SHOULD BE CONSUMED)...
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