"I've never been addicted to anything other than tobacco"

Filed under: Drugs > Australiastic > Heath Ledger

As rumor and speculation continues to circle around the death of Heath Ledger, this interview the actor gave not too long ago has extra significance.

On playing a junkie in the movie Candy, Ledger stated, "I've never been addicted to anything other than tobacco, so I think it's hard for us outside of their world to comprehend how they're making their decisions, you know?"

Sigh.

[Image via WENN.]

Posted: Jan 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm / Email this »

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143 comments to “"I've never been addicted to anything other than tobacco"”

More comments: « 1 [2]

costamesaboy says – reply to this

101

HE GAVE PEREZ A BLOWEY!!!!! ……..it's true… R.I.P.,, dude.
Katie says – reply to this

102

None of this means that he was addicted to anything — committing suicide with pills doesn't mean he was addicted to them.
Never mind says – reply to this

103

I WISH YOU PEOPLE WOULD QUIT ANALIZING WHAT HAPPENED AND LEAVE HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALONE, SHIT LET HIM GO, AND IN PEACE I MIGHT ADD
HIS TRAVEL TO THE OTHER SIDE ISN'T GOING TO BE PEACEFUL FOR HIM UNLESS YOU ALL MOVE ON.
HMM says – reply to this

104

DOESN'T REALLY SEEM WORTH IT THEN, DOES IT?
.. says – reply to this

105

i hope he rests in peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

such a shame to lose a person so young……..

btw perez y do u promote rubbish like ”jesus didnt exsist” ???????
such an idiot……….remove theemmmmm nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
NoElleNo says – reply to this

106

I recently saw the movie and I find it kind of disturing that in recent interviews he displayed ALL the signs of an addict; rubbing, scratching, jumbled speach, sweating…almost like he needed a fix. I sincerely hope he had not started using "meth" as his behavior mimiced the classic "tweaker". I pray this is not the case (as it is with my family member), but if it is, we need to take a look at the demand the public and media puts on celebs and how we visit gossip sites and make ugly comments and such. It really takes a toll. No matter what they do it's never enough for us….and maybe too much for them. They are normal people, not super humans and we need to recognizze it and respect it.
Jessica says – reply to this

107

Re: Lauren –
Lauren (#38), you're a douche bag!
Sally says – reply to this

108

Haven't we / you learned that all (almost all) actors are either drunks or junkies. Only a tiny minority are clean sober.

And they lie a lot.
Kelly says – reply to this

109

This emerged because Heath was not here to DEFEND HIMSELF FROM THE GRAVE. But God has powerful ways of bringing about justice. I hope each and every single one of the media outlets that suggested, made innuendo or outright lied about drug use by Heath is ashamed of themselves. I hope each one issues him and his GRIEVING FAMILY an APOLOGY for the DAMAGE they have done to his memory and his reputation. They should have waited for the facts but in an effort to be the first to "get the story" they all tarnished a good man's name. Shame, shame, shame on you.
jen says – reply to this

110

Re: LETHAL COMBINATION – what i don't understand is, when he got sick, the doctor would have asked him what drugs (both rx and over the counter, as well as recreational), supplements, etc he was taking and how much/how frequently. then he would have explained possible interactions and side effects. so if his death was a matter of drug intereactions, he should have been informed before he took it. i'm not trying to be insensitive, but it's very sad that if that turns out to be the case, it could have been prevented easily, just like many other deaths. at the very least, i hope this is a lesson to all of us to be honest with the doctor and listen to what he says!! i also think sleeping pills are one of the most dangerous catagories of drugs, legal and illegal, that exist and if possible you should never ever take them!
Chris says – reply to this

111

Why do so many of the stars turn to drugs to solve what ever problems they are having. Are there truly no brains in Hollywood? I'm sure there are a good handful of sane hardworking people left.
Mikey says – reply to this

112

Heroin - i can't quit you…………………..
not surprised says – reply to this

113

famous last words of a junkie unfortunately
Anon says – reply to this

114

Heath was an extremely intelligent man. He was also very aware of the intrusiveness of the press. He would not have made such a public, uncompromising statement if it were not true. I think he was afflicted by a condition that caused him to get uncontrollably nervous when he had to do interviews whci he hated. He was very squirmy and jittery. And really. He had enough $$ so if he'd needed a fix to calm him down and get through an interview, he would certainly have got one. I don't think his PR people would have let him DO interviews in a drugge3d out state. He was their meal ticket. He HAD to look like he was functioning. So I believe him…and you can sigh all you want. I do not think Heath was an addict.
George says – reply to this

115

Another actor dead big fucking deal. Let's move on
Mari says – reply to this

116

yeah bring something juicy about anyone else… i want to hear something about will smith, his perfect image is questionable & it irks me but i luv him…
erowid says – reply to this

117

Re: mis informed! – As A drug and alcohol counsellor I hate to say, Heath appeared to have substance abuse issues. Sorry peeps. But it's how it is. His life wasn't picture perfect and neither was he.

He had crap like we all do but was buffered by his celebrity. Sometimes when we are manic we believe we are invincible. Some of the drugs he had in his flat, especially the antihistamines would mask the symptoms of a chest infection. They would also give him the feeling of "wellness" and in this state, he could have felt it okay to pop a couple of sleepers.

It's done day to day by non celebrities. Accidental overdose.

But the fact remains that the person wasn't in control of what they were doing and that's how they came to OD in the first place.

Just because a note wasn't left, doesn't mean he didn't suicide either. Just a point to make.
nevermind says – reply to this

118

I wish all you People would just let this go, he needs peace to move onto the other side!, he probably does't even know he dead himsself!!, he's probably confused as to whats happening to him!, leave him and his family alone, and move on to something eles.
Anna V says – reply to this

119

You can right anything you want now that he's passed and not here to defend himself. Please just dont tar his name and the amazing work he's done with half-arsed speculative and untrue stories.

R.I.P God bless your soul and I miss ya dude xxxxxx
netta says – reply to this

120

Its now new news that he has a hard time being interviewed. So someone fidgets, are we all going to start to spread sheeting their medicine? Don't think so. I'm not trying to defend him, and anyone else here shouldn't be either. He wasn't a perfect person, and its also not old news that he lead a crazy lifestyle being that he was a New York party fixture. Allow me not to get cheesy and real, but no finger is clean.
lize says – reply to this

121

"IT'S NOT THE YEARS IN YOUR LIFE, BUT THE LIFE IN YOUR YEARS…"
AND WHAT A LIFE HE HAD!

My every thoughts and prayers to the Family and Friends of Heath.
HEATH, R.I.P.
scott says – reply to this

122

Heath, you sound like such an amazing person. I wish I could have known you. I do know you deserve so much better than what you're getting from some of the idiots in this world. God Bless you and your family always.
seamus says – reply to this

123

Re: erowid – Were you his drug counselor?
If not shut the fuck up. You couldn't possibly know that "Heath appeared to have substance abuse issues." Nor could you be privy to knowledge that would tell you "His life wasn't picture perfect and neither was he." Unless you were a counselor who has had an opportunity to meet with him one on one SHUT UP you don't know what/who you're talking about!
katvonkat says – reply to this

124

Re: jen –
Jen, I am a registered nurse and I can tell you that many doctors don't ask patients what medications they're currently on. Even if they have a list in the patient's chart, many of them don't refer to the list when they're prescribing.
I'm sorry to have to say this, but it's the truth.
(I'd even venture to say that most docs don't ask)
dee says – reply to this

125

he may not have been an addict. don't go throwing words around until you know all the details. he looked like he was uncomfortable in his own skin during a recent interview, but he'd just split from his fiance and was away from his baby. he was filming a new movie and his character was disturbing… he might have been depressed and anxious. he said he wasn't sleeping well… none of this automatically makes him a junky…and until they prove otherwise i'm willing to give this situation the benefit of the doubt…it might have been an accident. let's wait and see before we act like we have the "main line" into the facts, eh fatso?
:( it's a sad time says – reply to this

126

i just can't believe this has happened… i am shocked and so sad about this.
Kelly says – reply to this

127

I challenge each and every one of the people reading this story to go into their home tonight and pull out every prescription bottle leftover from long gone illnesses. Then come here tomorrow and post what you found. See what conclusions people draw. If you're willing to listen to this crap and feel it's fair and justified then you have no problem posting what you have in yours….(including your Valtrex). Live with the same scrutiny that this man WHO CAN'T DEFEND HIMSELF is living with. Just because there are 5 medications in his apartment does not mean he was taking all 5 drugs at the same time. It's also important to note that police claim that those 5 bottles were nearly full.
jen says – reply to this

128

Re: katvonkat – Ok, I guess I should have said any competant doctor (which he *should* have had, seeing as how he's got enough money for the best medical care possible). But it is my experience that doctors ask, even if they have a list on the chart. I've never been to a regular dr appt or the ER, either for myself or my children, when the triage nurse didn't ask about current meds and allergies to meds, and then the doctor also asked as he was writing out a scrip. And actually, the pharmacist almost always asks, too, when I pick up the rx. I've lived in 6 different states, and multiple cities within those states, and it's always been like that…maybe I'm lucky? If that's not normal precedure, it really should be and we all need to take it upon ourselves to ask the doctor if he doesn't ask us! Accidental drug interactions that prove to be fatal are just too too sad, especially in America where we are blessed with generally high quality healthcare.
ashley says – reply to this

129

Re: George – you're pathetic.
me says – reply to this

130

listen all of u assholes who are disrespecting this man.. if u didnt know him personally, u have no business deciding whether or not he was on drugs. it doesnt matter how he looked or acted at times.. ITS NONE OF UR DAMN BUSINESS U HEARTLESS MOTHER FUCKERS. leave this man to rest in peace and enjoy the movies he made throughout his life. i hope that when they do find the reason for his death they keep it between his family because it shouldnt involve anyone except them. RIP heath.
val says – reply to this

131

does anyone have this movie online somewhere or know where to find it??????
mark says – reply to this

132

1. '
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'Perez's posts on Heath Ledger a few months ago:
Heath Ledger made a slightly shiteous appearance at the after-party for the Rescue Dawn premiere in NYC on Monday night.
We're really shallow and soulless, but….
There was a period (of about a year) where Heath Ledger was totally hot.
Time flies!
Not that he's ugly now. He's just totally average.
'
'
”Heath Ledger has been making the most of the single life.
The Aussie actor, most recently linked to model Helena Christensen, was spotted making out with Kate Hudson at the Beatrice Inn in NYC on Thursday night.
She obviously has a thing for scrubs!
'
'

Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have split up, Us Weekly is exclusively reporting.
Why the break up? The usual.
Grew apart. Tried to make it work. They remain friends and committed parents to their two year old daughter, Mathilda. Blah blah blah. Boring.
'
'

Amazing pictures of Heath Ledger as The Joker in the new Batman movie!
He looks scary scary.
Mainly it's his receding hairline that frightens us. And that's no special effect
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And you're mad at Gibson's comments. You spread hate just as much, you fat pig.
'
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Is Fidel Castro still dead?
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mark says – reply to this

133

1. '
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'Perez's posts on Heath Ledger a few months ago:
Heath Ledger made a slightly shiteous appearance at the after-party for the Rescue Dawn premiere in NYC on Monday night.
We're really shallow and soulless, but….
There was a period (of about a year) where Heath Ledger was totally hot.
Time flies!
Not that he's ugly now. He's just totally average.
”Heath Ledger has been making the most of the single life.
The Aussie actor, most recently linked to model Helena Christensen, was spotted making out with Kate Hudson at the Beatrice Inn in NYC on Thursday night.
She obviously has a thing for scrubs!
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have split up, Us Weekly is exclusively reporting.
Why the break up? The usual.
Grew apart. Tried to make it work. They remain friends and committed parents to their two year old daughter, Mathilda. Blah blah blah. Boring.
Amazing pictures of Heath Ledger as The Joker in the new Batman movie!
He looks scary scary.
Mainly it's his receding hairline that frightens us. And that's no special effect
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
'
'
'
'
And you're mad at Gibson's comments. You spread hate just as much, you fat pig.
'
'
‘
'
'
Is Fidel Castro still dead?
'
'
‘
richard03 says – reply to this

134

don't have to be addicited to die from a Fucking overdose!!!
MARIANO ARG says – reply to this

135

YO ME PREGUNTO ALGO, LA COMUNIDAD GAY QUE SE VE TAN TRISTE, A QUIEN LLORA? A HEATH O A ENNIS DEL MAR??…
sarah says – reply to this

136

as someone who suffers insomnia, his comment in an interview about having to take two ambien said it all…the reality of it all is that out of all the sleep medications ambien is the ONE you dont build a tolerance to… Insomnia is the greatest cover a drug addict can have….
Michelle says – reply to this

137

My heart goes out to his family. You will truly be missed.
ihatehomos says – reply to this

138

naw b*tch u kno u was on some otha shit….f*ckin fag. u had that crack itch b4 u died
ihatehomos says – reply to this

139

n u was found laying on ur stomach with ur butt up in the air b4 u died, u kno u had some dude up in there b4 u died
chris says – reply to this

140

DO ANY OF YOU REALLY THINK PEREZ CARES ABOUT HEATH? HE IS AN OPPORTUNIST ACTING LIKE HE'S ABOVE THIS KIND OF CRUDE MEDIA BEHAVIOR WHEN HE HIMSELF POSTED FALSE REPORTS ABOUT THE TRAGIC DEMISE OF AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG MAN. HEATH LEDGER WAS THE VERY IMAGE OF DECENCY AND RESPECT. HE WAS SOMEONE TO TRULY ADMIRE. WHY DO YOU PICK IDOLS LIKE THIS PATHETIC PEREZ HILTON? I AM NOT A FAN OF MS. SPEARS HOWEVER I AM DISGUSTED BY THE MULTITUDE OF DAILY, MEAN SPIRITED, DEATH WISH FUELED POSTINGS I HAVE READ SINCE I FIRST LOGGED ON TO THIS SICKENING SITE. PEREZ' MEAN SPIRITED AND DISRESPECTFUL ATTITUDE TOWARD HER AND ALL PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC EYE IS DISGUSTING. HEATH WAS MORE SERIOUS SO PEREZ SHOWS A TAD BIT MORE RESTRAINT BY SAYING HE WON'T SHOW PICTURES OF HIS FUNERAL AND YOU ALL PRAISE HIM FOR HAVING A MORAL CODE. I HAVE REACHED MY BREAKING POINT. IF THE ONLY WAY TO REACH HIM AND SOME OF YOU IS TO STOOP TO YOUR LEVEL BY SCREAMING SOME VIRTUAL INSULTS THAN SO BE IT. I AM FUCKING GUTTED BY THE LOSS OF HEATH LEDGER AND I TOO WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY ALL THE PEACE THEY DESERVE. BUT GIVING PRAISE TO THE EVER SO UGLY PEREZ HILTON IS WHERE I DRAW THE LINE. I FEEL NOTHING BUT VIOLENCE FOR THE FAT MAN. YOUR IDOL, THIS SCUM SUCKING PEREZ DESERVES A PUBLIC BEATING! ANYONE WHO FEELS CRITICAL TOWARD ME FOR SPEAKING MY MIND CAN KISS MY ASS. IT'S LAUGHABLE THAT YOU ALL CAN DISH IT OUT BUT NONE OF YOU CAN TAKE IT. FUCK OFF YOU SLEAZE MONGERS!!
julie says – reply to this

141

one question:
what means this "first" many of you wrote in their comments???

+i miss u heath++never forget+
gillian says – reply to this

142

what a good looking guy and he look happy potraiting a mountain guy from perth, australia.
He will be miss, oy.oy.oy. I'll drink a good guiness (dark) for his family.
Freddie says – reply to this

143

You are a fucking sad nerd and hypocrite Perez. Yes its true, what am I doing here if I think you are a loser? I have no good answer for that, I guess I enjoy celebrity gossip as much as everyone. BUT, you clearly said that the media should respect Heath Ledger on the same day that the news of his death were announced. Yet you continue to put vague fucking hearsay about him on your site, which ultimately discredits him and the life he lived. I mean, what is the point of this insertion for example? You are mocking or at best speculating about a dead person that was loved and appreciated for his craft by many. If you were a girl (physically I mean) I would say that you are a mean little two-faced bitch.