Birth Name:   Heath Andrew Ledger

Nickname:      Heathy

Alternate Names:      Heathcliff Andrew Ledger

Height:            6' 1" (1.85 m)

Date of Birth: 4 April 1979, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Date of Death:           22 January 2008, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (accidental overdose of prescription drugs)

He has three sisters: Catherine (Kate) Ledger, married to Nathan Buckey, and half sisters Olivia Ledger (b. 1997) and Ashleigh Bell (b. 1989).

Mother:          Sally Ramshaw (daughter of John and Jackie Ramshaw)

Father:            Kim Ledger (son of Colin and Es Ledger)

Stepfather:     Roger Bell

Stepmother:    Emma Brown

Great-grandfather:    Sir Frank Ledger, son of Edson Leger

School: Attended a private all-boys school called Guildford Grammar

Specialization: Concentrated on drama and sports in school but picked drama

First Tag : Pretty boy (hunky 20 year old heart-throb Heath Ledger first came to the attention of the public in 1999)

Firs real acting job: Blackrock (1997),

Former fiancée:          Michelle Williams

Daughter        Matilda Rose Ledger (28 October 2005)

First acting role:            Peter Pan, at age 10, at a local theater company

He and Kate Ledger (his older sister) were named after the two main romantic characters of the Emily Brontë novel, "WutheringHeights".

Auditioned for the part of Max on the TV show "Roswell" (1999) but was not hired because of unsuccessful starring in "Roar" (1997) for Fox.

Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2001.

Dated Heather Graham. [October 2000 - June 2001]

Part of the 1990 Kalamunda Field Hockey team, whose president his father Kim was from 1990 to 1992.

Men's-fashion judge at the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November 2001.

Originally set to star in Oliver Stone's Alexander (2004) before Colin Farrell took over the role.

Considered for the role of Kar in Bulletproof Monk (2003) but eventually turned it down. The role later went to Seann William Scott.

Dated Naomi Watts from August 2002 to May 2004. He and Naomi Watts broke up for the 2nd time in April 2004.

Worked with Orlando Bloom in Ned Kelly (2003). Ledger worked with Scottish actor James Cosmo in The Four Feathers (2002). Both Bloom and Cosmo worked together in the movie Troy (2004).

Named "the new Matt Damon" in Josie and the Pussycats (2001). They now act side by side in The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Most of his wardrobe was designed by his friend Shem.

Was of Irish and Scottish ancestry.

Starred in 3 films which screened at the 2005 Venice Film Festival. They included BrokebackMountain (2005), The Brothers Grimm (2005) and the out-of-competition Casanova (2005).

Former fiancée Michelle Williams gave birth to daughter Matilda Rose Ledger on 28 October 2005, who weighed in at 6 lb, 5 oz.

Met Michelle Williams on the set of BrokebackMountain (2005).

Was selected in the State U17 squad in field hockey and was touted as one of the up and coming young stars, but chose to pack it in and try to make a career out of acting.

Jake Gyllenhaal is the godfather of his daughter Matilda.

Was mentored by, lived with, and was very good friends with Martin Henderson.

Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.

Was the first non-American actor to portray the Joker.

Set to star in Baz Luhrmann's pre-WWII drama, but backed out to play The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

Michelle Williams' "Dawson's Creek" (1998) co-star Busy Philipps and his BrokebackMountain (2005) co-star Jake Gyllenhaal are his daughter's godparents.

When he was cast as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008), rumors circulated that his BrokebackMountain (2005) cast mate Jake Gyllenhaal would be playing district attorney Harvey Dent. Instead, Jake's sister Maggie Gyllenhaal was cast as assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes.

Dropped out of Australia (2008) to do The Dark Knight (2008).

Was one of seven godparents of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damien.

Called off his engagement to Michelle Williams in September 2007.

Chosen by Empire Magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars in the world (#79) 2007.

Resided in Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Sydney.

Was found dead in his apartment at 421 Broome Street in the SoHo neighborhood in New York City at 3:26 p.m. EST by his housekeeper and a massage therapist, finding him face down and unconscious in his bed with sleeping pills on a nearby table. [22 January 2008]

Directed three music videos for Australian artist N'fa and Ben Harper.

Was painfully shy.

First acting role was as "Peter Pan", at age 10, at a local theater company.

Lived in Roman Way, Islington while filming his last movie ever in London in 2007.

Was very good friends with Russell Crowe.

Was considered for a role in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).

Actor Daniel Day-Lewis made a dedication to him at the SAG Awards 2008.

Owned a pet kangaroo that was found by his mother as a child.

Favorite food was risotto.

Was good friends with Ben Harper.

He was the co-founder of record label Music Masses Co with singer Ben Harper, and directed Harper's video for the song 'Morning Yearning'.

The youngest actor to play the Joker in a Batman movie The Dark Knight (2008), as oppose to Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero.

In 2006, took a year off from acting to raise his daughter Matilda while his girlfriend at the time, Michelle Williams, worked.

On February 9, 2008, a memorial service attended by several hundred invited guests was held at PenhrosCollege in Perth, Western Australia followed by a private wake on CottesloeBeach with his family and friends.

After his death his body was returned to Perth, Western Australia, where his body was cremated at FremantleCemetery, with his ashes to be "scattered in a family plot at KarrakattaCemetery, next to two of his grandparents.

Before appearing with Christian Bale in The Dark Knight (2008), the two of them both played incarnations of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. (2007). This makes Ledger the second Joker actor to share a role with a Batman actor. Previously, Cesar Romero shared the role of lawman John "Doc" Holliday with Adam West and Val Kilmer.

His favorite Australian bands and musicians were Spiderbait, Powderfinger, and Silverchair.

Was good friends with Joaquin Phoenix.

Said in 1999 that his favorite actors and directors were Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Bob Fosse, Stanley Kubrick, Katharine Hepburn, 'Jack Nicholson', Marcel Cann, Terrence Malick, Mel Gibson, and Meryl Streep. Later, he went on to co-star with Gibson; and play The Joker (previously portrayed by Nicholson) with his character was partly inspired by Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971); and had almost been cast in Malick's The Tree of Life (2009).

In an interview shortly before his death, he stated that his favorite role so far in his career had been his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

Swiss actor and filmmaker Philippe Vonlanthen worked as his Body-double and stand-in on "Roar" (1997). Filming took place in Queensland, Australia.

Actor:

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) (post-production) .... Tony

The Dark Knight (2008) .... The Joker ... aka Batman: The Dark Knight (USA: informal title) ... aka The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (USA: IMAX version)

I'm Not There. (2007) .... Robbie ... aka I'm Not There (Germany) (USA: poster title)

Candy (2006) .... Dan

Casanova (2005) .... Casanova ... aka Femur (Philippines: English title)

BrokebackMountain (2005) .... EnnisDel Mar

The Brothers Grimm (2005) .... Jacob Grimm

Lords of Dogtown (2005) .... Skip ... aka American Knights (Philippines: English title) ... aka Dogtown Boys (Germany)

The Order (2003) .... Alex Bernier ... aka The Sin Eater (Australia) (Singapore: English title) (UK) (USA: working title) ... aka Sin Eater - Die Seele des Bösen (Germany)

Ned Kelly (2003) .... Ned Kelly ... aka Ned Kelly: Public Enemy No. 1 (Philippines: English title: poster title)

The Four Feathers (2002) .... Harry Feversham

Monster's Ball (2001) .... Sonny Grotowski ... aka Bal du monstre, Le (Canada: French title)

A Knight's Tale (2001) .... Sir William Thatcher / Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland

The Patriot (2000) .... Gabriel Martin ... aka Der Patriot (Germany)

"Roar" .... Conor (13 episodes, 1997-2000) - Sweet Bridget (2000) TV episode .... Conor - The Cage (2000) TV episode .... Conor - Daybreak (2000) TV episode .... Conor - Traps (2000) TV episode .... Conor - Tash (2000) TV episode .... Conor (8 more)

Two Hands (1999) .... Jimmy

10 Things I Hate About You (1999) .... Patrick Verona

"Home and Away" (1988) TV series .... Scott Irwin (unknown episodes, 1997)

Paws (1997) .... Oberon

Blackrock (1997) .... Toby

"Sweat" .... Snowy Bowles (26 episodes, 1996) - Episode #1.26 (1996) TV episode .... Snowy Bowles - Episode #1.25 (1996) TV episode .... Snowy Bowles - Episode #1.24 (1996) TV episode .... Snowy Bowles - Episode #1.23 (1996) TV episode .... Snowy Bowles - Episode #1.22 (1996) TV episode .... Snowy Bowles (21 more)

"Ship to Shore" (1993) TV series .... Cyclist (unknown episodes)

Clowning Around (1992) (uncredited) .... Orphan Clown

Thanks:

The Dark Knight (2008) (in memory of)

... aka Batman: The Dark Knight (USA: informal title)

... aka The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (USA: IMAX version)

Self:

Dark Tracks (2008) .... Himself

"Cartaz Cultural" (2003) TV series .... Himself (2007)

"Entertainment Tonight".... Himself (1 episode, 2007) ... aka E.T. (USA: informal title) ... aka ET Weekend (Australia: weekend title) ... aka Entertainment This Week (weekend title) ... aka This Week in Entertainment (USA: weekend title) - Episode dated 22 November 2007 (2007) TV episode .... Himself

"The Insider" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2007) - Episode dated 11 July 2007 (2007) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 26 January 2007 (2007) TV episode .... Himself

"Corazón de..." .... Himself (4 episodes, 2005-2006) - Episode dated 12 September 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 6 March 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 16 January 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 6 September 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2006) ... aka Oprah (USA: short title) - Oprah's After-Oscar Party 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 27 January 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself

The 78th AnnualAcademy Awards (2006) (TV) .... Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Leading Role

2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV) .... Himself

"Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2004-2006) - Episode dated 13 February 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 25 March 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself

"Nyhetsmorgon".... Himself (1 episode, 2006) - Filmen 'BrokebackMountain'/Nyheter och väder (2006) TV episode .... Himself

12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006) (TV) .... Himself

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" .... Himself (3 episodes, 2004-2006) - Episode dated 17 January 2006 (2006) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 16 May 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 19 March 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself

"The Charlie Rose Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) ... aka Charlie Rose (USA: new title) - Episode dated 7 December 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

Logo Movie Special: 'BrokebackMountain' (2005) (TV) .... Himself

"Film '72" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) ... aka Film '73 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '74 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '75 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '76 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '77 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '78 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '79 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '80 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '81 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '82 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '83 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '84 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '85 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '86 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '87 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '88 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '89 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '90 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '91 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '92 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '93 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '94 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '95 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '96 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '97 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '98 (UK: new title) ... aka Film '99 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2000 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2001 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2002 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2003 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2004 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2005 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2006 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2007 (UK: new title) ... aka Film 2008 (UK: new title) ... aka Film of the Year (UK: teaser title) ... aka The Film Programme (UK: informal alternative title) - Episode dated 31 October 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

The Making of 'Lords of Dogtown' (2005) (V) .... Himself

Venecia 2005: Crónica de Carlos Boyero (2005) (TV) (also archive footage) .... Himself

"Magacine" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) - Episode dated 9 September 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"Late Night with Conan O'Brien" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) ... aka Late Night with Conan O'Brien (Australia) - Episode dated 19 August 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) ... aka Live with Regis (USA: new title) ... aka Live with Regis & Kelly (USA: new title) - Episode dated 2 June 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"Today" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) ... aka NBC News Today (USA: promotional title) ... aka The Today Show (USA) - Episode dated 2 June 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"The View" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005) - Episode dated 1 June 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

On Being a Cowboy (2005) (V) .... Himself

The 76th AnnualAcademy Awards (2004) (TV) .... Himself - Audience Member

Terryho dotocná (2004) (TV) .... Himself ... aka Terry's Wrap Up Party (International: English title)

"Enough Rope with Andrew Denton" .... Himself (1 episode, 2003) - Episode #1.2 (2003) TV episode .... Himself

The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2003) (TV) .... Himself - Presenter: Film clip of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

"V Graham Norton" .... Himself (1 episode, 2002) - Episode #2.18 (2002) TV episode .... Himself

MTV Video Music Awards 2002 (2002) (TV) .... Himself ... aka VMAs 2002 (USA: short title)

"The Ray Martin Show" .... Himself (1 episode, 2001) - Episode #1.5 (2001) TV episode .... Himself

"The Panel" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1999-2001) - Episode #4.23 (2001) TV episode .... Himself - Episode #2.19 (1999) TV episode .... Himself

"A.J. After Hours" .... Himself (1 episode, 2001) - Episode dated 31 May 2001 (2001) TV episode .... Himself

"Rove Live" .... Himself (1 episode, 2001) - Episode #2.10 (2001) TV episode .... Himself

"HBO First Look" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2000-2001) - The Making of 'A Knight's Tale' (2001) TV episode .... Himself - The Patriot (2000) TV episode .... Himself

The Rules of Love (2001) (V) .... Himself

The Rock Music Scene in 1370 (2001) (V) .... Himself

Sexy Armor and a Rock Band on Tour (2001) (V) .... Himself

Heath Ledger Profile (2001) (V) .... Himself

The Making of 'A Knight's Tale' (2001) (TV) .... Himself

The Marquee Event (2001) (V) .... Himself

2000 MTV Movie Awards (2000) (TV) .... Himself

2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000) (TV) .... Himself

The Art of War (2000) (V) .... Himself

Roar: The Making of (1997) (TV) .... Conor

Archive Footage:

"Biography" - Shaun Cassidy (2008) TV episode .... Conor

"Entertainment Tonight" - Episode dated 21 July 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 29 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 25 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 24 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 23 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself (1 more)

"E! True Hollywood Story" - Heath Ledger (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Kids of Dawson's Creek (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"The O'Reilly Factor" - Episode dated 15 April 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 12 March 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 8 February 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 6 February 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 1 February 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself (5 more)

The 80th AnnualAcademy Awards (2008) (TV) .... Ennis del Mar Memorial Tribute

Oscar, que empiece el espectáculo (2008) (TV) .... Himself

"Cinema tres" - Episode dated 26 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself

"Corazón de..." - Episode dated 23 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Episode dated 1 December 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Ennis del Mar - Episode dated 15 November 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Casanova - Episode dated 5 September 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself

"A Current Affair" - Heath Ledger Special (2008) TV episode .... Himself

"Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" - Episode dated 23 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself

Schau mir in die Augen, Kleiner (2007) (uncredited) .... EnnisDel Mar

Cómo conseguir un papel en Hollywood (2007) (TV) .... Himself

"Home and Away" - Episode #1.4330 (2006) TV episode (uncredited) .... Scott Irwin

Home and Away: Romances (2005) (V) (uncredited) .... Scott Irwin

"Celebrities Uncensored" - Episode #2.6 (2004) TV episode .... Himself - Episode #1.15 (2003) TV episode .... Himself