Queen Of Dirt

Updates of the day:

Heath Ledger’s body will be undergoing an autopsy today.

– The actor, TMZ reported, was suffering from pneumonia at the time of his death. He had recently been filming in London shortly before his passing on Tuesday.

– Friends of the Australian actor are saying that they saw his death coming.(But US reported this so who knows if it’s a legitamate quote)
“Heath has gone though a rough road of trying to get sober,” reveals a pal.
Ledger’s substance abuse issues could be one of the reason for his split from Michelle Williams, mother to their two year old Matilda.

– Paps broke the news to Jack Nicholson in London. When he heard, all he said was “I warned him.” (I would have posted the video but thats all it was)

– Williams learned about Heaths death on location in Sweden, is devastated over the news of Ledger’s passing. And, although The New York Times has reported that Heath’s death is likely an overdose, his family is insisting that it was an accident, issuing this statement this morning:

“We, Heath’s family, confirm, the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time.

We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.”

Several celebrities and producers have already issued condolences to Heath’s family:

“I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.” - Mel Gibson

“What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family.” - Nicole Kidman
(Sidenote: I wonder how Naomi is taking this? I think she never got over Heath…she wanted to marry him and have his kids-he wasn’t ready he said-but then he did just that with Michelle months later)

“Heath Ledger was a courageous actor, and a great soul. He gave us the gift of sharing his fearless and beautiful love – of his craft, and of all who worked with him – for which all of us will be eternally grateful.”
- Focus Features, producers of Brokeback Mountain

“The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
- Warner Bros., producers of The Dark Night

“It was with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Heath Ledger. It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation’s finest actors in the prime of his life. Heath Ledger’s diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor.”
- Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia

“This is an unimaginable tragedy. Heath was a true artist, a deeply sensitive man, an explorer, gifted and wise beyond his years. There is no finer person on this earth.” - Todd Haynes, director of I’m Not There

A Melbourne artist has released his never-before-seen portrait of Heath Ledger a day after the Australian actor’s death.

Docklands-based Vincent Fantauzzo’s haunting portrait depicts Ledger as three separate figures, one looking straight on, the others whispering into each of the central figure’s ears.

Fantauzzo painted the actor’s portrait with the intention of entering it into the prestigious Archibald Prize, Australia’s premier portraiture competition.
Ledger, 28, sat for the painter on his final trip back to his native state of Western Australia in December.

Fantauzzo released the image today after receiving approval to do so from Ledger’s friends and family.

By the way… Just two weeks ago I compared Heath to Johnny Depp and guess who just might replace him in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus? Yup. Depp.

Johnny Depp is reportedly going to replace Heath Ledger in what was to be his last film role. Heath Ledger was just six weeks away from finishing the fantasy flick, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

The film’s director, Terry Gilliam wants Johnny Depp to film the remaining scenes.
An insider to the movie says, “There is a point in the film when Heath falls through a magic mirror. He could easily change appearance. It would be a poignant moment.”
“Johnny’s not working at the moment so everyone is praying he will do it.”

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The toxicology results are in, and the NY Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Heath Ledger’s death an accident based on using and abusing too many prescription medications.

The actor died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine.

The drugs are the generic names for the OxyContin painkiller, the anti-anxiety drug Valium, Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, and the sleep aids Restoril and Unisom. Hydrocodone is another name for Vicodin, a painkiller.

His family released this statement:

While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.

Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.

We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.

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