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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.
such a gr8 actor. shame what happnd to him
RIP Heath Ledger
What happened to those Westboro Baptist Church freaks? I was looking forward to giving them some shit at Heath's memorial
that was beautiful.
To all of you "aussies" commenting: Heath Ledger died. Who cares if you're aussie or not. Does that make you more capable of grief or something? America took him in. He lived here. He had a baby with an American. His bestfriends were American. He became successful in America. He became a real actor in America. I hate to make this an Australia vs. US post seeing as we're talking about the death of a wonderful actor. Nonetheless, it pisses me off to read comments that start "As a fellow aussie, I have the right.." Fuck you.
that was really beautiful. he thanked everyone on the set, now that was a real human being with a real heart. now we're stuck with actors who think they're god. i miss heath!
Very beautiful . all my love to u Heath i miss u. I feel so much pain;(
how lovely is that? what an amazing epitaph. heath will be sorely missed by friends, family, fans…still so sad, what a waste of a nice talented man
oh wow.
Wow… that was the most beautiful tribute I've read… I'm speechless….
that's a really beautiful tribute
It becomes all the more apparent as this tragic story unfolds that Heath Ledger had a profound and deep impact on those who knew him, judging by the touching and memorable words that have been written about him by those who KNEW him and WORKED with him. Shame on the hacks dredging over his memory quoting unnamed faceless sources who seek to destroy his reputation by insinuating some sleazy druggie past. He comes across as a decent man, committed to his craft, devoted to his daughter and loved and adored by his family. We should remember him this way through the people who knew him and are prepared to put their opinions of him in print. Note that not one of his professional colleagues or friends has had a bad word to say about him. Speaks VOLUMES to me. Above all, may his family take comfort from the love they have for a beloved father, son, and brother and may baby Matilda grow up to be proud of the good man who was her daddy so loved by so many. May he rest. Peacefully.
How sad!! Such a talented and loved young man. Its sad because he brought so much to the table, he was great in every movie, even if the movie itself was not so great you still couldn't shut it off or change the channel because you just want to see more of him and what he gives. Yet people that do crappy movies like "Iknow who killed me" are still walking the streets at night!! Now that is scarey. the lord took his angel home.
:(
What a beautiful story! He must have been a wonderful soul. A shame to lose him so young.
Re: Rebecca –
So Lindsay Lohan should die because she was in a bad movie? Wow. Some people are just ridiculous. No, he wasn't an angel. He was a man who died. It's sad that he left at a young age, but to try to make him out to be bigger than he was is just hypocritical. Typical people though. Now Heath will become a legend, not because of his 'talent', but because he died.
Oh yeah. Since when do angels snort cocaine and swallow pills with Naomi Campbell?
oh my god………. I feel so horrible …….. Heath was such a great person and it shows….. i mostly feel for Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda……. I dont think she knows that shes never gonna see her daddy again but how do you tell a two year girl something like that???? and for some reason i keep expecting Ashton to pop outta nowhere and say " You've been Punked!" or something like that and everything will be fine………. Heath will continue to maze us with his creative genius and he will live to see his little girl grow wow thsi actually made me cry R.I.P. Heath Ledger
What a great tribute! He was such a great actor who obviously loved his craft. He will be greatly missed! I hope his family and friends will find a way to get through this. My thoughts are with them.
Nice!!
I was looking forward to this new batman movie, now I don't think I can watch it. Because when I first see Heath, I will probably start crying my eyes out. It's so sad, because he was such a wonderful actor. I really wish it was somebody else that died. Like Hannah Montanna or freaking Britney Spears.
After reading that beautiful tribute to Heath it confirms what i thought Heath might be like just a dude really enjoying his craft but oh how humble sweet and kind he was. it shows through theese kind words that one of his peers shares with us. RIP HEATH NO WORRIES !!!
INTERIGATE .
really sweettt… i miss u heath
Fuck he made my tears fall out and its amazing how people connected to Heath. I feel that he was a very humble actor becuase i feel that like i many other people connected with Heath through his movies, I beleive he is in a better place now and lets just pray for his loved ones to find peace at there hearts!!! XOXO
wow, you losers actually have the time to say FIRST and talk about perez being gay….have a heart people…RIP Heath, i hope you're with God now in a better place….
i never meet him in person but somehow i felt i had a stong connection with him somehow i known that deep down inside of me he was a specail person,with nice attitude towards human beingsalso trusting, something about him his so fasincating. i miss him so much. my symphaty to his family especially to his little angle he leaves behind! may his soul rest in peace. and to all u haters out there stop talk bad things about get a life!
that is tragic. well written i cant wait to see the film.
You all need to learn to appreciate people while they are here in addition to appreciating them after their deaths. If you're wondering what I'm talking about check out the post on this website (written just over a month before his death) that features a fill in the blank: The hottest thing about Heath Ledger is his _________
I'll sum it up for you… people were BRUTAL.
Awww. That's so sweet. I never comment here but I just felt like I had to. Extremely well written.
So sweet… and I believe that was Heath all day, everyday.
I am still in shock over the death of Heath Ledger. He was one of my favorite actors, a very talented young man, also a devoted father. He was one of the actors that didnt give in to the hollywood glitz and glamour. He stayed away from the limelight where as most would thrive to be in it. He was just a normal guy that just happened to make movies. Heath will be greatly missed by his friends, family, and fans on and off screen. Rip Heath
Re: Fat Pez EAT SHIT! – WOW if u dislike him sooo much… WHAT THE FUCK ARE U ON HIS WEBSITE FOR???… can we say dumbass?!?!?!
I think the thing to remember is this "anyone that wears make up like The Crow" winds up dying.
r.i.p heath! you are already missed! and if you were around now you would get to see how many people loved you truely!
and for all you people, this is sad and u all greedily just write "first". get some emotions and give the whole first thing a rest.
thats just so sad ….
I CAN'T HELP BUT CRY…….
poor heath, what a sad ironic thing to happen to a GREAT LOOKING and talented young father.
That is probably one of the most touching things I have ever read. It brought tears to my eyes.
He was so absolutely beautiful. Watching his films will always remind us of how much of a talented and beautiful person he was. He is missed so much. RIP.
I did not know Heath Ledger,but for some reason I cannot stop grieving. When I think maybe he could have been saved. Where were his friends? They knew he was in great pain,could they not have notified his family and perhaps arranged an intervention!!! God,…so little so late!!! I ache for his family and pray they can pick up the pieces and go on. Take heed,Britney could be next;….stop puting her down and encourage help for her. Good bye Heath;…I know you will never rest,cause you left your beloved Matilda behind.
That was so touching and it made my heart hurt. I can't wait to see the movie. It will truly be a worldwide vigil for Heath Ledger. . .the actor.
It was not necessary to know Heath personally talking to feel this emptyness in the heart. I'm sure every word in this letter was true and I really miss the big charisma Heath showed us everytime he appeared on screen. R.I.P
RestInPeace Heath.
that's beautiful. that's all i can say.