Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger was an Oscar-nominated[1] Australian actor who became a liberal icon after his portrayal of a homosexual cowboy in the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain.
Tragically, Ledger was found dead at the foot of his bed by his housekeeper[2] in his rented Soho (Manhattan) loft apartment on January 22, 2008. The New York City medical examiner said Ledger died "as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects" of six different prescription drugs oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine. Police had said at the time of the discovery of his death that no illicit drugs or alcohol were found in the apartment.[3] Medical examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said: "What you're looking at here is the cumulative effects of these medications together."
Following roles in Australian movies and TV series, Ledger was cast in his first American film "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999. Following this he appeared in the Revolutionary War drama "The Patriot" in 2000 and was given the lead role in the 2001 movie "A Knight's Tale".
Ledger had a relationship with Michelle Williams, who played his on-screen wife Alma in "Brokeback Mountain", and fathered a daughter, Matilda Rose who was born in 2005. The couple were separated at the time of his death.
