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.
A love tribute to a lovely man. Well written, with lots of emotion and heart. A sweet touch at the end… I could picture him riding his skateboard on the set as a read along.
that was wonderful. i'm headed towards tears.
:(
HEATH, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO QUIT YOU!! I will miss your gorgeous face on my tv screen 
Very nice and well said. I'm speehless
Heath, l don't know how to quit you. You will be sorely missed
Awww…don't say nasty things about either Heath or Perez …both have [had- although in the spirit world it is very deep too] deep feelings are what they have…skabeel…into speakesmith smeal…
What an incredibly touching tribute to an extremely talented man. The world lost an amazing talent.
amazing, sad, true. this blog definatly almost made me cry. what an amazing actor, im sure we all already knew this but wow, heath you will TRULY be missed.
how can u even comment to this… everyday struggles… just getting through life. We are not perfect and this is just a prime example of how it really is… rip heath ledger.. and every other person in this world.. we all fight the similar struggles… remember that…
As an actor usually it's so refreshing to hear of such a big time actor still loving the craft soooo much! But here it's also so tragic. We lost a wonderful person! Please let his family get through this rough time!
why do you care about being first???
The blog entry was really touching. That is what matters…not if you were first in writing a comment.
So much talent, so little time. Being an aussie, we all here just get you, no explanation needed. Hollywood was very spoilt to have such a talent show them how its done, you leave the other young actors in the cold. RIP x
This is how heath should be remembered.xxx
i always liked heath ledger, but was never a die hard fan…i didn't cry when i heard he died, although his death has weighed heavily on my mind…but when i read this, i definitely cried. an amazing tribute to an amazing actor. so touching
that was deep. I remember when they were shooting Batman here in Chicago, I would always wish to catch a Heath Ledger Sighting
so sad I never got the chance…but I remember passing by the sets a few times…and it just felt awesome to Know that he was there. R.I.P HEATH we love u and miss u! and Can't wait to see u in the Dark Knight!
this makes me so sad, rest in peace Heath
Very moving. Many Blessings Heath.
RIP Heath you will be missed.
Absoloutly heartwarming.
R.I.P Heath
x
Thank you for posting this Perez. It's such an incredibly moving tribute. Has left me tearful.
Just heard that Daniel Day-Lewis dedicated his Best Actor award to Heath. He made special reference to Heath's brief but powerful performance in Monster's Ball. His scenes in this movie also stuck with me long afterwards, because he was just so bloody good!
RIP HL.
R.I.P wish u was still here so u could have finish the dark night!!
Very touching, brought tears to my eyes. Rest in peace, Heath. May you find comfort where you are.
Yet another tear shed in memory of and in what will never be again… Heath Ledger.
XOXO-K
What's with the idiots posting on this site just to say first?
Is that your life goal or something? Sheesh…
Heath, you will be truly missed. you were one talented guy. I'm sorry that you had to go so soon.
RIp Heath. This is sooo touching. I'm already crying.We will never forget your talents and dedication as a actor. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.WOOOOOOOOOOOO skater kid is skating through heaven……….We Love you and you will never be forgotten.
So sad, RIP Heath! I´ll never forget his good work!
Why don't we make a Heath Ledger statue?
that was sweet…. and sad. sniff
his death seems to have a profound effect on the people who knew or knew of him. you just can't put your finger on it. perhaps because there are so many reasons to grieve the loss of this man. the director hit the nail on the head … keith had that invisible charisma, that force - so subtle, so sad, so soon. Just an awful loss. there are no sufficient words.
That was beautiful.
What a beautiful blog.
we will miss u heath. RIP
its so tragic, he was such a great actor .
wow. thats really amazing. i wish he didnt die
so many people are hurt and grieving. its such a shame such talent had to go so soon. i am looking forward to the dark knight but it wont be the same knowing the star of the movies no longer with us
it really pisses me off that people had to do their stupid FIRST comments on this particular post. can't you put your damn first comment competition bullshit on hold for one post??
My fellow Aussie will be missed by everyone down under! loved your work heathy.
much love.
xoxoxoxo
p.s perez i hope you only ever post kind words about him.or else!
Re: Fat Pez EAT SHIT! –
What the hell does that have to do with this story?
I also miss him terribly. He just left world too early. Heath will live in Matilda.
Rest in peace aussie, you are already missed
Really nice, heartfelt and touching tribute. Shows how commited and passionate he was to his craft. A way we should remember him, instead of via those horrible voyeristic clips.
Miss him so much…..so sad.
Re: ngr htr –
Wow, you must be a happy person
aw,an't that special fucking morons
Awwww, what a well written personal tribute to Heath.
Very touching.
I really enjoyed Heaths movies and he also seemed to be a wonderful dad and loved family member.
Its a shame he had to leave so young. God bless his soul and give his family and freinds strenght to endure this painful loss.
WOW.. The more and more I read things about Heath, it makes me that much more sad to have never gotten the chance to know him. He seems so much like myself its incredible… He will be missed in every single aspect. Cheers to a wonderful man who lost his life too soon!!! You will be forever missed and loved. Atleast his daughter has his movies, interviews, pictures, and memories from lots of people to get to know her father as much as she can when she is growing up. R.I.P.
thats was a none dramatic real tribute. i hate all the "fellow" actors who are coming out like ohhh heath was this that and the other …. they didnt know him like this guy did, stop pretendning and using sum1 else loss for ur own gain.
the film looks amazing its sad heath wont be here to see how great of an perormance it is and how much auidences love him ! X
That was a really nice commentary about Heath by the Director of the New Batman movie. We get an inside glimpse of someone that was such a deep soul. It will be nice to hear more stories to remember such a nice great actor. We will miss him greatly and his wonderful work. Thank goodness for movies. His Memory and Old Soul will Live On.
Such a beautiful tribute!
I'm glad the movie was made. I will go see it for sure.
That was a lovely tribute. I especially love the little boy that was Heath on a skateboard and the man that he was thanking each crew member. Heath's exuberance in the whole film process should be hammered into all of those "poor me" stars who just complain. R.I.P.
As a fellow Aussie, and a fan of Heath, I ask this. Can we leave it alone now? Although this is a beautiful piece, written by someone who knew and cared for Heath, it hurts every time I see Heath's face in the media. He was a private and proud Aussie, we all know this. Let's treasure the time we were blessed to watch him grow,as a talent and a person. Love to Matilda, and especially Michelle. She's the one who needs our strength now. Oh yeah, fuck Nancy Grace!
I don't get it. Can the writer just write a simple tribute and not make it into a short story about himself.
People are so evil on here
RIP Heath
He was talented, amazing, and perfect. A life gone too soon but a life that will never be forgotten.
the master and the muse. mmm
That was so sweet!!! He will be missed.
As a fellow Aussie i mourn the loss of an incredible passionate and creative individual who we could feel so proud of. This is a fantastic piece. I love hearing stories about Heath from people who knew him. One of the most touching quotes i have read so far was from someone close to him i can't remember who but he said of Heath, that he burnt the candle at both ends, but what a beautiful flame. I love that. I wish i had known him. By the way of the people (probably other Aussies)who have seen Blackrock, what part does heath have in it? i have seen the movie i think when it first came out and i didn't know who he was then, plus when i looked up the movie i can't find any mention of his name in the cast? Do any aussies who are fans of his really believe he was into drugs? i am hoping that its not true, especially after his baby was born. I mean its bad if he experimented with them or did them when he was younger, who hasn't but i am hoping that he grew out of them. Plus as passionate of an actor he was why would he need to do that?
ok, heath you were one of the most exciting actors to look out for, i was always greedy to learn any detail i could about you, i thought you were so hot and so different from other people, but you also looked so untouchable i guess because of how you didn't want the world/media to know you except for in the movies. i hope you are at peace and have the memories of your family with you.
as an artist, one can only wish words like this are read about you, said about you, long before you leave this earth. how touching, and what a well-crafted glimpse into the reality of just how many lives have been affected by the loss of mr. ledger.
I can't believe it's almost been a week.
That was just so touching. Poor Heath Ledger. 
first of all, thank you perez, for covering heath's death much more professionally than other sites. i cannot believe how heath's death has affected me. never have i felt this much sorrow for a celebrity's passing. i suppose this is a testament to how great of an actor heath was. i felt like i knew him. i felt like i knew his characters. i am so saddened by this loss. i pray for heath and his family.
Heath Ledger was a good guy with a bad influence–Lindsay Lohan.
RIP beautiful man.
I STILL FEEL SO TERRiBLY SAD ASWELL AND iM JUST A FAN. HEATH WAS SUCH A GREAT ACTOR, AND FOR HIS LiFE TO BE CUT SHORT iS SUCH A TRAGIDY. IF ONLY WE COULD TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TiME…..
That's a wonderful story he shared about his time with Heath and I am sure his family will be touched by such a sweet sotry:) He seemed liked such an interesting man.
For all you Perez bashers who insist on leaving rank comments about him………if you all hate him so flipping badly, then why do you waste your time getting on HIS SITE to leave shitty messages. Sounds like you secretly love him! Join us……..the Perez lovers………come over to the dark side..lol. Get over your fucking selves and quit trying to hide the fact that you LOVE Perez.
Such a wonderful tribute to such a talented young man..brought a smile and a tear when I pictured this young man skating in the line of the shot.
So beautifully written about Heath…such a touching story.Left me with a tear in my eye. He will be missed…R.I.P Heath! Lov u
thank you. there is a tear in my coffee.
What a beautiful tribute to Heath.
That was a wonderfully written and appropriate tribute about a man that truly loved his craft. Thank you for sharing
It's sad that he did not finish filming the "Anna Nicole Smith" story. His makeup is so true to form it is almost eerie.
Such a beautifully honest and wonderfully commentary on Mr ledger. So sad. and still not quiet beliveable.
Thank you Perez for being so respectful to the families. I feel that many other news and gossip sites have followed your lead. It must be amazing and daunting to realize the influence to have. Use it wisely.
First
Beautiful.. such a touching tribute!! On the other hand i think it is sooo sad that everyone makes fun of perez yet you all read his site daily! Get over yourselves are you really any better than other people you dont know!
and I miss him terribly…God we miss you too Heath!:(
I can't believe people are worried about being FIRST on this blog instead of saying something thoughtful or nice. RIDICULOUS.
Heath sounded like such a nice person. I'm still so sad over his death even though I never knew him. It is so terrible to lose someone close to you, ugh I can imagine his family right now because my family is going through the same thing with my dad passing. So sad, where do we go?? Death is so strange and a mystery.
I'm crying my eyes out. If I think about him being gone, for too long, I get angry. Man I'm sad.
www.rememberheathledger.com
That was really sad at the end when he realised the skateboard guy was Heath..he really seemed to be loved by everyone that met him.
so sad =( I love(d) Heath as an actor and he was a very handsome man…I miss him ..it is terrible ..I still can't believe he isn't anymore. As I watch Casanova it makes me cry..he was my actor..the best…..Rest In Peace Heath Ledger…..:'( Im so sad…It is unbelieveble!
A touching, heartfelt tribute. We all will miss him .
Kudos to Christopher Nolan and Daniel Day-Lewis for their thoughtful tributes.
The insightful and kind words from talented people in the business are so needed at this time, with the tragic loss of Heath waying heavily on so many.
Too bad SAG couldn't put a little effort towards a tribute.
That was so incredibly touching and well-written. It brought tears to my eyes, as corny as that is.
You "first" people are the biggest dorks ever. Get a life and learn to show respect
This is heartbreaking.
Nice to finally read something POSITIVE about Heath and Thanks for giving his fans a rare insight of his true personality and who is actually was as a human being!!::)
He will remain "Forever Young" in many hearts
God Bless Heath, his family and his friends.
May you finally be able to rest in peace.
*heart strings officially pulled* I'm still ill about Heath's untimely passing… drugs or no drugs, issues or no issues, through and through it's clear he was a magnificent person. He will be missed.
Only the good die young.
thats lovely what he wrote, brings yet another tear to my eye
gonna miss him. so talented.
RIP
why does everyone keep saying 1st. He wasnt the 1st. Brad Renfro died on the 17th on Jan.
RIP Heath, you were loved and will be missed
That was beautiful… honestly made me tear up a little.
How touching.
I will miss his talent.
where's the fuc$%%? his bff stupid jake gyllenhall???
So sad. I love Nolan even more now that i´ve read this beatiful tribute about what Heath Ladger really was, the sweetest and talented guy.
That was such a good story. I will miss Heath terribly. RIP Heath.
la verdad q no puedo reaccionar q murio uno de los mas grandes actores q existio y existe en el mundo.la verdad q me siento morir al saber q nunca volvera estar.lo voy a extañar soy fanatica de ÉL,pero me quedo tranquila xq se q en cada estrella q hay en el cielo el estara alli.
life sucks!
heath is taken away, but we are left with paris and lindsays of the world
That's a great article. Thanks Perez, for sharing with us.
indeed, a tribute to an incredible star, now in the sky.
I LOVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heath Ledger He was amazing and kinda HOTTT To
rest in peace my friend you are in heaven
Awww that was so sweet… R.I.P Heath
you couldnt describe heath ledger in any other way. a perfect and depiction