Batman Director Remembers Ledger
Filed under: Australiastic > Heath Ledger
Christopher Nolan, who directed Heath as the Joker in this summer's Dark Knight film, has written a touching tribute to the departed actor.
CLICK HERE to check it out!
One night, as I’m standing on LaSalle Street in Chicago, trying to line up a shot for “The Dark Knight,” a production assistant skateboards into my line of sight. Silently, I curse the moment that Heath first skated onto our set in full character makeup. I’d fretted about the reaction of Batman fans to a skateboarding Joker, but the actual result was a proliferation of skateboards among the younger crew members. If you’d asked those kids why they had chosen to bring their boards to work, they would have answered honestly that they didn’t know. That’s real charisma—as invisible and natural as gravity. That’s what Heath had.
Heath was bursting with creativity. It was in his every gesture. He once told me that he liked to wait between jobs until he was creatively hungry. Until he needed it again. He brought that attitude to our set every day. There aren’t many actors who can make you feel ashamed of how often you complain about doing the best job in the world. Heath was one of them.
One time he and another actor were shooting a complex scene. We had two days to shoot it, and at the end of the first day, they’d really found something and Heath was worried that he might not have it if we stopped. He wanted to carry on and finish. It’s tough to ask the crew to work late when we all know there’s plenty of time to finish the next day. But everyone seemed to understand that Heath had something special and that we had to capture it before it disappeared. Months later, I learned that as Heath left the set that night, he quietly thanked each crew member for working late. Quietly. Not trying to make a point, just grateful for the chance to create that they’d given him.
Those nights on the streets of Chicago were filled with stunts. These can be boring times for an actor, but Heath was fascinated, eagerly accepting our invitation to ride in the camera car as we chased vehicles through movie traffic—not just for the thrill ride, but to be a part of it. Of everything. He’d brought his laptop along in the car, and we had a high-speed screening of two of his works-in-progress: short films he’d made that were exciting and haunting. Their exuberance made me feel jaded and leaden. I’ve never felt as old as I did watching Heath explore his talents. That night I made him an offer—knowing he wouldn’t take me up on it—that he should feel free to come by the set when he had a night off so he could see what we were up to.
When you get into the edit suite after shooting a movie, you feel a responsibility to an actor who has trusted you, and Heath gave us everything. As we started my cut, I would wonder about each take we chose, each trim we made. I would visualize the screening where we’d have to show him the finished film—sitting three or four rows behind him, watching the movements of his head for clues to what he was thinking about what we’d done with all that he’d given us. Now that screening will never be real. I see him every day in my edit suite. I study his face, his voice. And I miss him terribly.
Back on LaSalle Street, I turn to my assistant director and I tell him to clear the skateboarding kid out of my line of sight when I realize—it’s Heath, woolly hat pulled low over his eyes, here on his night off to take me up on my offer. I can’t help but smile.
that was very nice. =)
Awesome tribute to a special soul. May Heath rest in peace and may he know that he truly had a wonderful impact on many people. I pray for his family and pray that they know the wonderful gifts Heath has left with so many of us!
soo moving…what a tribute. as a fan i will miss heath terribly. rest in peace.
Awee. Thats so sweet, yet sad.
This is so poignant and touching. It helps those of us who never had a chance to meet him to see what kind of person he was, the person we all kind of suspected, thoughtful and creative. Of all the celebrities who come into our lives each day through television, film and the internet, his loss is a tremendous one. It’s hard to imagine someone so successful in such a cut-throat industry and to know he didn’t sell out or lose his heart.
This was touching and wrought with emotion. I appreciate his giving us a glance into his memories.
With tears and a sad heavy heart i remember Heath. Thanks to Perez for including this beautiful piece by Chris Nolan for people like myself that feel such a deep loss.
God bless Heath. God hold Heath tightly. God watch over Matilda forever.
very touching.. thank you for posting perez
That was nice. Touching.
thanks for linking to that. It's the first time I've felt real, undetached sadness for his death.
Wow. That is so heavy. I knew he was so talented even when I saw him in his first crappy teen flick almost 10 years ago. He brought art to an artless genre of film. It would've been great to see what he could've become. So sad.
i miss him.
and i didnt even know him.
he was amazing, theres no one else like him.
and there never will be.
(L)
r.ip
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idalb.com/forum !!!!
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wow! very touching. i wish i had the chance to meet this young man. i love his work and i can't wait to see his final piece. RIP HEATH LEDGER
RIP Heath, we all love and miss you… what a beautiful story about a wonderful soul. I wish we'd had you longer and thank you for sharing your bright light with us.
Wow… so beautifully written! With a nice punch at the end…
Thanks for making us discover even more what Heath about…
Sweet…
This was beautiful, it's so nice to hear from someone who actually knew and worked with Heath rather than Travolta who claims he was "His" actor. Thanks for posting this Perez!! My thoughts and prayers are with Heath's family.
Aww, that was beautiful. Heath seemed like such a cool and personable guy.
It's all so sad…
rip Heath.
This made me cry! Heath will be deeply missed.
Heath had that "it" factor that not many actors have. His abilities were incredible in the Hollyweird "pretend" genre. His demise is unfortuate but I hope that there's lesson learned here for all of you in LA LA Land and the rest of world. Life is short and for some of you it's 14:59.
wow…ya know, i really hope heath knew how all these people felt about him…..people should tell each other more often while they are here….
I know this sounds strange but I feel as though someone I knew is gone. I couldn't help but shed a few tears while reading that message and I can't quite understand why. Perhaps it's because the world has lost a truly gifted person, maybe I'm sad for his family and the daughter he left behind or maybe because the media has become so intrusive that they make us feel as though we know these "famous people" and when they die we feel like we knew then. I really can't put my finger on why I've been so affected all I know it that his passing really sucks for the world.
i miss him terribly. RIP HEATH LEDGER
Very sweet.
very sweet.
so sad. though.
Heath is really missed.
BURN IN HELL JUNKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was so beautifully written…. Heath will be dearly missed.
That honestly brought tears to my eyes. It was so perfect in catching the exact character of Heath Ledger, or what I can only assume is the character of Heath Ledger.
Like millions that are mourning his loss, I never knew him, and he never knew me, but every night I pray for him, his little girl, and all the other friends and family he left behind. I cry watching his movies, realizing that I will never again be able to witness the brilliance that was he was.
He stood up in front of everyone when he acted in a movie, subjecting himself to the worlds opinion. He stood by what he believed, and I can not have enough respect with him for that.
Amazing is a word that is too often over used. Its real definition is to strike awe into someones heart, and I believe Heath, and all of his creations deserve this defintion more then anything else. Brilliance. Brilliance, genious, and inspiration are all words that can be used to describe this wonderful man that was taken from us much to early.
I am truly, and sincerely sorry that I, and thousands of others, will never be able to see Heath again. To see him for who he really was. Not a celebrity that went out gallavanting for attention, but someone that was truly dedicated to his work, and someone who inspired many.
You will always be with us Heath, and we will remember you. You will live on, through your beautiful daughter and the wonderful works you have created.
so sad for heath!….por thing, with so much ahead of him…i truly love how he was so couragious in taking controversial roles
You can't help but respect somebody who is so wholly immersed in what they do. Heath is one of those actors that you actually feel deserve to make millions of dollars for only a few months of work. It's heartbreaking for his family and friends and unfortunate for our generation that we have lost one of the few real talents that exist. You will be remembered Heath.
Heath! You were one of the greatest. So Sorry for you and your family. May God grant you peace and mercy. I don't believe for a minute that your passing was anymore than an accident.
Love,
Cheryl
Beautiful & thoughtful tribute.
Daniel Day-Lewis' words were also touching.
Obviously it's sad when someone dies at a young age, especially when it could have been prevented.
The tragic death of Heath has really affected me.
I haven't been this upset over the death of someone I don't know, since Kurt Cobain.
I appreciate the talents of true artists. Some people are so talented their music, writing or acting just inspires me.
STOP POSTING ABOUT HEATH! THIS IS SAD AND YOU ARE EXPLOITING THIS SITUATION! U R AS BAD AS DR PHIL!!
that was just simply sweet. he did some great films.
he is missed greatly. i love him
Beautiful… a fitting tribute.
-jl
Thats so sweet yet so sad. I hate that he had to leave so soon, so young, so loved.
133rd!!!
DOOT DOOT
i'm still broken up and shocked about his death. i didn't know him, but he always seemed so humble and downto earth. such a great actor.
he will always be missed.
love u heath
im crying. this is beautiful.
I do not understand! I read some of the blog enteries & I see people calling Perez names, etc…why are you on this site at all if you are so disgusted with Perez? Also, I guess I do not respect disgruntled comments about another, when this is clearly an article about a person who has lost their life. This is an article where someone who knew this individual personally wrote their thoughts for the public to read & perez assisted in sharing it…& those who are commenting are on Perez's site to read it.
BTW, I hate the whole "first" thing.
THE MORE I HEAR ABOUT HEATH THE MORE I REALIZE HOW AMAZING AND CREATIVE HE REALLY WAS. FOR A LONG TIME, TO ME, HE WAS THE HOT STAR IN A BREAKOUT MOVIE ABOUT GAY ISSUES. THE MORE I LEARN ABOUT HIM THOUGH THE MORE I REALIZE HE HADN'T EVEN GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF WHAT HE'S CAPABLE OF. HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE FEW ACTORS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM ACTING TO DIRECTING. THIS GETS SADDER EVERY DAY.
That was touching. He was a wonderful actor and this whole thing is just tragic.
beautiful
I can't help feeling it.
I didn't know him, I couldn't know him as much as I wanted to.
We can watch him on screen, and hope to find something different.
And it will still be all the same, except for the pain.
There aren't a lot of guys like Heath… Not as beautiful as he was.
I can't help feeling it.
Heath was a beautiful man. Sweet, caring, and unique.
He is greatly missed
heath seems like he was such a down-to-earth and caring individual with such a warm heart and giving spirit. the world is mourning such a tragic loss. my thoughts are with his family and friends and especially his precious baby girl. RIP Heath.
my god heath was wonderful, the circumstances are awful sad. RIP
Absolutely beautiful, yet heartbreaking. Many loved him.
Thank you for finally posting something positive about Heath.
That was wonderful.
Jeebus that has made me cry and i don't appreciate it =(
those are such touching words of remembrance. rest in peace
Re: jenna –
I simply disagree with this post being exploitation. Obviously there are many of us going through a sense of mourning over Heath's death; this post grants those of us who did not truly know him to have a glimpse into the special person he was to those who did.
I find Mr. Nolan's words to be nothing short of heartfelt and beautiful. I have felt a deep sadness, of a degree that I can't quite explain. Being able to read a post like this is a part of the process in dealing with that sadness and sense of loss. I saw him as a person I would have like to have known, his nature had a presence of kindness and sincerity we all seek in our friendships.
I pray for his family; the loss of a loved one unexpectedly brings such sorrow, and I hope time will bring them comfort.
that was soo nice.
r.i.p. Heath Ledger!
Such a loss for the whole plant
so sad
that was so sweet. it just killed me when he said that heath thanked the crew members. such a sweet man. he will be missed.
aww this proves what a wonderful person and amazing actor heath was. he will forever be missed. rip heath.
That was the most honest emotionally appropriate thing that anyone has said about Heath's death. A great gift to Heath fans everywhere; those of us who knew he was great but never got to personally experience it. Thank you Christopher Nolan
this is one of the best stories about heath ledger i've read
this was very sweet and heath we miss you
i guess nobody knows how many lives can someone touch until something as tragic and sad like this happens
and heath touched so many of us and he didn't even know it, that's why we're still talking about it and sadly remembering what happened on tuesday
god bless you heath r.i.p.
I
… this piece is truly touching… i clearly did not know heath ledger personally but for some reason i feel a loss. His films were amazing, i'll never get over brokeback mountain. His performance was wonderful and touching. I've lost some friends of the family but no close family members, i can only imagine the pain heath's family is going through right now. The fact that i, not even knowing him feel a loss, can only be a mere drop in a bucket compared to what his family is feeling. He will be greatly missed and my heart goes out to his loved ones, especially to his daughter who, when older is going to look up her father's name on the internet and see horrible headlines of his "suicide attempt" that's no way to remember ones father,
R.I.P. You will be greatly missed
I'm glad someone is finally saying something about him that is real and true to who he was.
its really sad to see how some people are more interested in being first to post on a new article, especially one so heart-felt.
That was beautiful.
I believe Mr Nolan said it all…. we sadly lost a very talented young man in a sad accidental way. He will be missed. God bless his soul and his family.
Reading that made my heart ache. What a lovely tribute.
LOVE U HEATH…U Will be missed* & Never forgotten
That was beautifully written! RIP Heath!
I cannot stop thinking about how tragic all of this is. It is still so hard to believe! I have tears streaming down my face right now. So very sad…
very touching…especially the last part.
despite what WBC church says, we all know that heath is in heaven, probably making all the angels laugh and swoon. we love you heath RIP [[gone but never forgotten]]
That was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man.
Left me feeling like I was going to cry, he sounded like such an amazing man, a life cut too short. Leaves you asking why someone like him while the evil scum of the world probably live on…
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Heath was one of the few actors of our generation who was a true talent. He gave his all to each role and you knew you were in for something special when watching him and he was just getting started. The first time I saw him on screen in 1999, I knew he had a bright future ahead of him. How tragic that future was taken from him far too soon. It is hearthbreaking to think of what could have been but at the same time, we should be thankful we did get those too few short years of his brilliance.
My heart breaks for his friends and family, especially Matilda. You could see how much he loved his little girl everytime they were pictured together. Luckily, he will live on for her in his movies.
And Thank You to Christopher Nolan for giving us this touching tribute and a glimpse into Heath the human, other than Heath the actor, for us unfortunate ones who were never able to know this wonderful man.
Goodbye, Heath. Thank you for giving us everything you had on that silver screen. May you Rest in Peace.
Heartbreaking. That piece just brought me to tears.
Wow, beautiful. This was the REAL Heath Ledger.
Nice. I read somewhere… not sure where… 'when someone dies, the best way to honor someones memory is to pick a positive trait from that person and to sincerely make an effort to make it ones own….'
For me, this kind of tragedy reminds me of the need to always perform any task to the best of my ability, with integrity and respect of others.
It also reminds me to never hesitate to do or say the things that are important, as we never know when it can be too late.
RIP.
very touching !! He was a great person and hollywood lost a great actor I am sure he is looking down on us and smiling R.I.P Heath
Heath kind of reminds me of Anna Nicole Smith when she was all drugged up and had a clown face painted on.. They both look alike.. Call me weird!!
:)
that was so touching
=(
such a waste of obiviously
a very special man in this crazy world of ours.
That was beautiful… R.I.P. Heath
That was beautiful… R.I.P. Heath
Very Sad. To see he had to spend the last days of his life wasted being dressed up like something that dark and evil. Sadder to think the darkness of that role effected his mind and his health. All for a lousy movie. He took on too many roles that were bad for the soul.
I miss him.
I LOVE HEATH LEDGER AND CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
Very nice. Heath was a wonderful actor, highly underrated in my opinion. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace, and also let his family find peace as well.
Isn't anyone else still in shock over his death?
That's really touching and spooky at the same time.
RIP
as if chris nolan could be any cooler. so amazing and heartwarming.
RIP HL.
We should all be so lucky to be thought of so lovingly….
That twas awesome.
Re: Marisa –
I know what you mean. I hear about deaths on the news everyday. There was just a story of a bright, hardworking 17 yr old who died suddenly of meningitis. Then there are the numerous military deaths that are just so tragic and senseless. I feel sad, but move on. Yet, Heath's death affected me more. In addition to seeing these people on tv and films, I think it's because of the very thing we are on. With the emergence of the internet and these blogs, we know so much more about these people then ever before. We see them eating breakfast, walking their dogs, playing with their kids (I always loved Heath with Matilda) etc.. I really feel that's why people are so affected by Heath's death.
Wauw, that really is beautiful. Thank you heath for inspiring so many people and thank you for living.
A fantastic, well written, insightful, heartwarming read.
im still in mourning. love that sexy bitch, heath.
my god that was wonderful. i cant believe he left us so early….
Beautiful and honest. I feel such sadness for the Heath yet this tribute made me smile. What a lovely soul Heath truly was.
Re: tori –
Fuck off Tori
That was beautiful. Literally brought a tear to my eye. Very touching tribute. Heath will be sorely missed. RIP, Heath.
My gosh……this is still unreal & I didn't know him personally, I can't wait for this movie, his final masterpeice…Heath, we miss you!
That's a lovely tribute. We'll miss you Heath! RIP…..