Heath Ledger 40th birth anniversary: 7 nostalgic pictures of the actor who won Oscar after his death

Around 10 years ago, the world of cinema lost its brightest star. We’re talking about The Dark Knight actor Heath Ledger, whom we know as ‘Joker’ for his stellar performance in Christopher Nolan’s film. Ledger’s untimely death due to accidental overdose of multiple drugs, sent a shock wave across the globe. 10 years since he left for his heavenly abode, but the actor continues to get showered with love from the film community and fans. On his 40^th birth anniversary, let’s have a look at nostalgic pictures of Heath Ledger.

As an infant, Heath Ledger had an intense look on his face. That’s why his mother named him after Heathcliffe from Wuthering Heights, who was her favourite character from novel. 

He was an ace chess player and had won Western Australia’s junior chess championship when he was 10. 

Heath Ledger always wanted to do a musical, but that never happened. The rumours had it that Ledger insisted the director to add the dancing scenes in his 2001 film A Knight’s Tale. 

He was Sony’s first choice to be the Spider-man in the trilogy. After Ledger refused, the role went to Toby Maguire. 

Initially, Heath Ledger auditioned for the role of Bruce Wayne, which was later played by Christian Bale. Bale and Christopher Nolan persuaded the actor play the Joker in the The Dark Knight.

In Dark Knight, he played a psychotic clown, for which he locked himself in a hotel room for a month and cut all contacts with the outside world. 

On January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger died due to overdose of prescription drugs. His lifeless body was recovered from his Manhattan apartment by his masseuse and housekeeper.