@pt-anderson

Why so serious?

Heath Ledger photographed by Bruce Weber, 2000.

“I was their investment,” Ledger said of Columbia. “They saw me and they invested money in me in ‘The Patriot’ and said, ‘Okay, let’s pop him out in that, let’s get another product, and let’s bring in the bucks.’ “ He walked out on his first audition for his role in “The Patriot” and said, “Good luck with your movie. I’m wasting your time and my time. I’m gonna go home now.” But soon came back, “to prove to them that I was having a bad day and actually do something good.” “Some people find their shtick,” he said. “I’ve never figured out who ‘Heath Ledger’ is on film: ‘This is what you expect when you hire me, and it will be recognizable.’” He continued: “People always feel compelled to sum you up, to presume that they have you and can describe you. That’s fine. But there are many stories inside of me and a lot I want to achieve outside of one flat note.” - Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger photographed by Robert Leeson, 1999.

Heath Ledger on a roof top in Manhattan, NY photographed by Jennifer S. Altman for The Times  (October 5, 2005)

Acting is learning about the life around you and the person you are. You can learn all the techniques in the world but if you know nothing about life or yourself, then you’re at a loss.

August 25, 2002

Top Five Favorite Heath Ledger Films ( as voted by our followers ) Number 5: Candy (2006) “I wasn’t trying to wreck Candy’s life. I was trying to make mine better.” 

Some of Heath Ledger’s own artwork from the ‘I Am Heath Ledger’ documentary. 

Heath Ledger on a roof top in Manhattan, NY photographed by Jennifer S. Altman for The Times  (October 5, 2005)

Heath Ledger photographed by Anthony Mandler for Flaunt Magazine (2002)

Heath Ledger photographed by Ben Watts, 2003

Heath Ledger photographed by Ben Watts for Interview Magazine (2004)

make me choose between: heath ledger in brokeback mountain or 10 things i hate about you?

Heath Ledger photographed by Anthony Mandler for Flaunt Magazine, 2002

Before I got into the industry, I never imagined I’d have anywhere near the money I have now. I don’t need any more. It’s not that I don’t want the money, it’s just that I would have been really happy sitting on a beach or surfing every morning. I never had money, and I was very happy without it.