OlderChristopher Nolan’s Heath Ledger Tribute
Heath Ledger finished filming this summer’s Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, in which he plays a villain, the Joker. Christopher Nolan, the film’s director, recalls Heath’s charisma and shared these beautiful memories in the latest issue of Newsweek:
“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.”
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nice article.
whatev
Why did this have to happen to Heath… I never fully appreciated how talented he actually was…
That’s a lovely piece, really really sad, but lovely.
Waverly @ 01/28/2008 at 2:54 pm
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I sure hope nobody says that about you when you pass…
This is a great compliment to a wonderful actor and from what I’ve read from his family and friends… a magical human being. RIP Heath!
Very moving, a very nice tribute.
Waverly– STFU!
C.Nolan is a class act and Heath was a beautiful, lovely person. Why did he have to die, why? :’(
Love you, Heath bb.
That was really nice.
great article! heath touched so many people, including me.
he really had something special, and his smile was perfect
this is powerful, a beautiful insight to an actor who really loved what he did. As it would seem, he wasn’t an actor who wanted to be treated like some…(special) He wanted to be treated just like everyone else. I admire that. It is no wonder he is getting tribute after tribute by his fellow actors, because of his being humble and the abilty to really appreciate the geniune love for acting. He will be missed for sure.
That was beautiful. It was touching to see that instead of people talking about rumors of his death, someone was actually thinking about all the great things he’s done when he was alive, rejoicing in the time he was here, remembering the things that made him Heath, and mourning in his death. He seemed to be amazingly dedicated. That was what he loved, and he showed it so much. It was an inspirational article. Do what you love and do it in the best way you can, because you never know if you’ll get to do it again.
What a touching and beautiful tribute. We will miss you Heath. Rest in peace.
What a gorgeous tribute for an immensely talented actor. Heath was certainly someone unique who immersed himself in his work and his family, and I’m glad that people know that. Whether they are just discovering it for themselves, or if they always knew, Heath touched everyone with each and every magnificent perfomance. He will be truly missed. Thank you for giving us what beauty and charisma you did, while you were here, Heath.
This is nice, but let the man RIP already!
http://thetabloids.blogspot.com
nicE!
That was beautiful, a great tribute to Heath and it shows you how he was as a person. He’ll be missed so much.
R.I.P. Heath
Thank you for sharing that article, it brought tears to my eyes…
Amazing how you can be touched by someone you never met…
i wonder how long it’ll take before someone makes a movie about heath. smh
that was so sad but moving at the same time
he sounded like a really nice cool guy
That’s what I like to read. Thanks JJ.
I wish I could tell Christopher Nolan that as long as he remembers Heath his spirit will be with him.
i wish i saw when they were filming in chicago : (
I’m glad I appreciated him when he was alive. I have been his fan since the beginning. And yet, even now, I still am learning new, amazing things about him. I will never get over this. He was so beautiful.
I am glad that Matilda will have stories like this about her father to look at when she grows up
That’s so lovely. I’m welling up. :(
Aw, that was very touching.
thanks for putting this on your site
it was a lovely lovely tribute
rip heath ledger
Thank you
I love you Heath
RIP
Beautiful written and very touching.
He will be missed greatly by his fans!
Nice tribute. Sounds like Heath was a lovely person.
What a touching, beautiful tribute. The world has lost an incredible human being. Heath will never be forgotten. My thoughts continue to be with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by millions.
heath is simply beautiful his soul is as beautiful as his angel face
hope he’s with them now (ANGELS)
(SORRY CAN’T TALK ABOUT HIM IN PAST I JUST CAN’T)
Heartbreaking. Young, talented, living to the fullest. Hard to let him rest in peace, when we aren’t ready to let him go. It’s true, death is hardest on the living left behind.
I was shocked and still saddened. I am glad that I enjoyed his movies before he died, I had been in Australia when he was just starting out and saw him on a Teen soap called Home and Away.
May he rest in peace and stories like this one is what explains the essence of the man.
Thanks for posting this; it’s beautiful. And tragic.
–read my blog at http://fashionpoirot.blogspot.com
That was beautiful and sad.
What a lovely tribute.
a beautiful and fitting tribute. i hope his family gets to see this if they haven’t already.
Rest in Peace special man.
Heath Ledger was an actor’s actor…not the commercial shallow type we see so often. He was on track to be one of the best , his depth was amazing…such a loss for all of us, his family and especially his precious daughter. He will be truly missed.
aww..how sweet
its sad to think we lost such a great actor & person
Very beautiful and very moving. I can’t believe he’s dead. Much too soon, much too fast.
this is heartbreaking. it makes the loss that we’ve already suffered seem even greater….. to have lost such a wonderful actor/human being… to an accident.
i really really really wish it hadn’t happened. :(
i watched brokeback mountain today and sobbed, not only for his beautiful performance but for this great loss. i feel so strongly like i knew him, so i can’t even imagine what his friends and family are going through.
i saw him in chicago over the summer when they were filming, he came out of a store on michigan ave and i remember looking at him and making a face like “i know who you are, but i’m not going to make a big deal.” and he gave me this amazing smile. i’ll never forget that quick moment, and i’ll never forget him.
why bad things happen to nice people?
as paparazzi, i will never give a nice review any celebrety……. heath was nice to as and very playful person…mr ledger , god give u a nice place in haven… we the nyc paparazzi will miss you very much!
to quick to soon! nice people like you do`not last. is sad but othey nasty celebrity last longer ………for mathilda we wish her all the best in life…….
mr penn,mr josh harnett, merryl streep,scarlett johanssen,cameron diaz,chris martin, nathalie portman,iman,and many more nasty celebs ……..take some class and be like heath ledger,we with the camera will never kill you………may heath ledger …rest in peace the
His death was a tragedy first of all for his family and friends and then for all of us, his fans, who were starting to get a feeling that there was no other actor right now, like him. He had so much to give. He was a fearless and creative actor. There aren’t many like him. But, in our hearts and minds he will live forever.
man, what a fcuking tragedy.
this is just fcuking wrong.
heath, mate, i fcukin’ love you man
Beautiful tribute to Heath! My heart goes out to his little one and his family and friends I can only imagine how difficult this is for them, I wish them all the strength in the world to go on, and keep his memory alive! Heath is really a great all-around actor. His role in A knight’s Tale is my favorite, what a brave knight! Really enjoy every minute of it even on DVD:
http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=80782&ru=279 , Thanks for all the great memories Sweetheart! God bless you! Always miss you!!!
Beautiful tribute to Heath! My heart goes out to his little one and his family and friends I can only imagine how difficult this is for them, I wish them all the strength in the world to go on, and keep his memory alive! Heath is really a great all-around actor. His role in A knight’s Tale is my favorite, what a brave knight! Really enjoy every minute of it even on DVD:
dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=80782&ru=279 , Thanks for all the great memories Sweetheart! God bless you! Always miss you!!!
All I can do is cry.
oh, god… i still can’t understand why did Heath do that? why did he die? i can’t understand… but this article is very very very nice and touching…. i’m crying… and i’m really happy that everybody remembers Heathy as a talanted actor and a kind man. thank you, Heathy! i still love you!!!
your real fan Julia
=(
That really was beautiful and heartbreaking. It sounds like he was a genuine, down-to-earth nice guy, and he was so talented, it’s just tragic.
Thanks for posting it JJ.
That was wonderful. Thank you Christopher Nolan for letting Heath’s legacy live on. He is and will continue to be missed greatly.
That was beautifully written. I was at the market today and saw the People magazine with his cover with the word death so prominent on the cover. Heath Ledger is no more. Heath Ledger is dead. It’s sad and hurtful for so many who never even knew him. I am so sorry for Michelle’s pain and Matilda’s loss. Pain like that is really hard to overcome, but, at least she and Matilda have each other. Heath’s spirit is sure to remain closeby them both. RIP Heath Ledger
Not sure what to say but this story really touched me.
btw: i didn’t know, hat Lohan slept with him *ewww*
Just wanted to say that an actor like Heath, is all it takes to make me believe in making movies again. I go to work and often look at what we do and wonder if its all just a paycheck. Then you see an actor come on set and make it all matter even if its for a moment, its that magic. I thank him for that and wish he could stay. People like this do matter they make us better, and we need to appreciate them and their time with us.
People need to face two real facts at the same time. 1. Heath was a marvelous actor who gave one of the greatest performances ever in Brokeback. 2. Heath was also according to much evidence something of a druggie who did various drugs at various times. It isn’t the first instance in which a great actor was self-destructive and afflicted by substance abuse. Wasn’t the first; won’t be the last.
its hard to understand why he had to go…but its easy to see why he was here. even if for a brief time…I will miss waiting for your next perfomances…you were brilliant in everything….candy, monsters ball, brokeback…but you were better in life it seems. I know your getting your well deserved rest and I pray your loved ones get through it Heath…thanks for your brief but beauitfully inspiring life, sweet dreams Cassanova ;)
Enough about the drugs and the partying, we put them on a pedestal, we admire them and we trash them when they fall. Heath was a fine young man, I know people who had the pleasure of working with him (on Brokeback). He was soulful and caring and kind, he was a beautiful, hardworking human being. Thats the point, a human being, he was still in his twenties and is he not allowed to have fun or make mistakes. I am so sick of media and ignorant ******** taking potshots at the same people they just weeks ago admired. He is only truely known by his family, his wife and probably a handful of good friends. The rest of us are just guessing and making broad statements about a complicated complete individual. I didn’t know him I can only guess as to his qualities so I will take the word of the few that actually knew him and loved and respected him and the rest of you can just shut up and **** off! Life is too short, hate is too draining and we should look for the glimmer of good in things in these times of darkness.
sorry about the swearing I’m Canadian and we tend to get wired up by stupid people.
i’ve been googling chris nolan’s name ever since Heath’s death to find out his reaction, and now he’s issued this statement. It’s a measured, loving tribute and very poetic piece. The joker will be a revelation.
I read this piece in the UK Telegraph and passed it on to my friends as the best article I had seen on Heath. I am glad you published it. Chris Nolan knew Heath, worked with him towards the end of his life and obviously respected him. So pleased to read something that is not sensationalised. From the first time I saw Heath on screen it made me proud to be a fellow Australian. What a brave, talented young man. He is sadly missed,
There’s no earthly way of knowing. What was in your heart?! When it stopped going. The whole world shook. A storm was blowing through you. Waiting for God to stop this. And up to your neck in darkness. Everything around you was corrupted. Saying something. There’s no dignity in death. To sell the world your last breath. We’re still fighting over. Everything you left over. I saw you staying at the gates. When Marlon Brando passed away. You had that look upon your face. Advertising space. No one learned from your mistakes. We let our profits go to waste. All that’s left in any case is advertising space. Through your eyes the world was burning. Please be gentle. I’m still learning. You seemed to say as you kept turning up. They poisoned you with compromise. At what point did you realize. Everybody loves your life but you. A special agent for the man. Through Watergate and Vietnam. No one really gave a damn. Did you think the CIA did? I’ve seen your daughter. Man, she is cute. I was scared but I wanted to. Boy, she looks a lot like you!
R.I.P. HEAT!!! WE LOVE YOU!
Heath! Everything you have done was magic. [*] I can’t believe that You’re dead…
my heart aches for his family. they will never pick up the phone and hear his voice. michelle has to be there when their daughter has her first school program and she says “I wish Daddy was here to see me” . i hope they have plenty of family video and pictures for her to look at. Heath sounds like he was an everyday person and it is so sad that we lost him so early. After seeing the pictures of his friends and family in the ocean it made me smile. They knew him best and if they could all do that and be smiling and laughing you know Heath had a fun life. He will be missed.
I just wish I knew he was filming in Chicago………..
RIP Heath
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