“He wanted to… start at the Arkham Asylum. And his idea – I don’t know if he ever talked to Chris. This is just private moments in the chair with Heath, and conversations like, wouldn’t it be great to go back and see what really happened to this guy, how he became what he became? And why he just, you know, flipped out and became maniacal? And he always thought it would be great to go back to the asylum, or even before that. So it was just chit-chat in the chair. … Because I’m sure as an actor, he needs to know the origins of the character; it’s really important to him. He was excited about the idea of going back in time, and seeing how he became the Joker. You know, the evolution of the character. It would have been cool. It would have been cool.” — Oscar-winning make-up artist John Caglione Jr. on Heath Ledger’s talking about his ideas for the character beyond The Dark Knight

HEATH LEDGER as Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) dir. Gil Junger

Heath Ledger photographed by Neil Wilder

Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008)

He felt for the first time, as an actor, that he was like “I’m untouchable. Every scene I do with any other actor, it doesn’t matter how amazing they are. I’m controlling and leading these scenes.” He was so confident, and he was so proud of that role. He was really excited for that film to come out. He was… it was the first time I’d heard him in a long time being excited about, like, “this role I’ve nailed it.” - Trevor DiCarlo

Heath Ledger as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain (2005) dir. Ang Lee

“I’m not a monster, I’m just ahead of the curve.”

 Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) dir. Christopher Nolan

Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I’m a dog chasing cars. I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just… do things.

Heath Ledger as William Thatcher in A Knight’s Tale (2001)

Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona in ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)