Heath Ledger

Heath Andrew Ledger was born April 4, 1979 in Australia. He was in many films, but is most known in 10 things I hate about, Brokeback Mountain, A Knights Tale, and The Dark Knight. He really broke through in his acting when he played in Brokeback Mountain.  He won a Best Actor award and the Best International Actor award.

He was sometimes in the news for multiple altercations with the media. He has been accused for spitting on paparazzi, been thought to be afraid of gay people by his actions at an awards ceremony, and many other things that the public has had a problem with.

The Dark knight was one of those films that really made Heath Ledger stand out. He played the Joker in the alleged Batman movie. He was really into his role, and was so into learning about the character. People who worked with him on set said he was into his character even when he wasn't on film.  He ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, probably the biggest accomplishment he had ever. Heath Ledger died January, 2008. He died from an overdose of prescription drugs. He is one of the many celebrities that has died from a drug overdose. Drug abuse in the United States is a growing problem. Every day, 105 people die from a drug overdose.  This goes to show that anyone can acquire a drug problem, even celebrities. It's okay to accept the fact that people have a drug problem and its not something to be embarrassed of if you do have a problem. It's not good if its in the "limelight" so to say but it gives everyone at least a feeling of "well even celebrities can have problems that they might not be able to control". Heath Ledger was a very well liked actor and people were devastated when they heard about his death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/overdose/facts.html