In Heath I have lost a younger brother. He was one the most gentle, the most honest , most caring,and most compassionate persons I had met. And one of the most honest actors I worked with. I often told him that he had the ability to completely bare his soul in front of the camera, and all I needed to do was make sure the camera could look into his eyes, and through his eyes, the audience could clearly look into his soul. I last spoke to him the night before he died. I had just arrived in New York last night, he said he could not see me that night but really wanted to meet me the next day. he made me promise that I would call him in the morning and wake him up. I tried. Little did I know that his soul had already left his body.
Farewell Heath. I always knew you had an ancient soul. I always said you had a wisdom beyond your years. And somehow I always knew that your spirit was too restless. Goodbye, my brother.
Dear Shekhar,
I think the universe wanted to say something to Heath through you just before he departed, and I’m sure there must be something special about what you talked to him that night. He always came across as very honest on screen. In Four Feathers his expressions of inner conflict are immaculate and one really feels what he is feeling about fighting as a soldier. And Brokeback, one of the best acted films is recent times, and he along with Jake made it look so believable. His time may be short but his achievements would stand tall.
There a dialogue for the tribute to a soldier in Four Feathers (great moving scene with amazing score) where Wes says (as Heath looks, deep in conflict), “Maybe lost, but you are not forgotten.”
Best Regards,
Himanshu
Shekhar,
This definetly is a loss for those of us who love art and I can imagine how terrible you’d be feeling, My condolences to you and Heath’s Family. We lost a great “Mate” of movies.
Rest In Peace Heath.
It’s sad to see a friend go — especially this way. Always remember him for his best and try to come to grips with the tragic way he went.
Its sad and devistating to hear about a young actor to go just like this. My Heartful condolences….Mr.Heath ledger,You will always remain alive in your work for us.
“jane chale jate hain kahan duniya se jane wale!”
Peace!
Sanjay
Please accept my Condolences Shekhar…
Thy loss thee know…
Through thee we know…
Soars a restless spirit…
A soul to his body told….
On my way freedom will unfold…
The wisdom thee leave we behold…
Ah! Wisdom is all thats left behind…
When ye fought life, time was unkind…
Such is the irony of restless mankind…
When we die, our stories shall unwind…
Deeply sorry about this devastating loss. Liz
Dear Shekhar:
This was shocking to hear last night and especially saddening to know a young girl lost her father.
Thanks for sharing this.
shekhar,
this morning when i logged on to your website i was really hoping that you had written abt Heath ledger and my wish was granted. and to know that you knew him at a personal level was ……don’t know what word to use. guess i felt nice to know that, not sure why though. from whatever i have gathered since yesterday, i believe he was not much of a social-circle person. someone who would keep to himself and in his world. very few had the chance to know him up, close and personal. and you were one of those. if you get a chance, would love to hear more abt Heath ledger…..until then you take care.
rajesh shetty
A small tribute to Heath
I never knew you
but I feel like I know you,
I never met you
but I’m sure that we’ve met,
I never saw you
but I’m certain that I’ve seen you,
We’ve never spoken
but I hear you loud and clear.
Great art and the great artist have the power to communicate at the greatest frequency. May your great soul rest in peace.
Liz
Sorry Shekhar…
Must have been rude of me….
Na janeh kya soch kar likh daala tha….
Bachpan meh in hindi read bareh aadmi ki mrityu….
Khokhle shabd likh na saki…
Par ha ehsaas hota hai batimeezi si mehsus hui hogi…
Sorry…
Dear Shekhar,
James Phelan here – I met you in Melbourne late 2007 and gave you a copy of one of my novels.
Heath was my age, and I feel useless and hollow since hearing of his passing. We have lost THE voice and acting talent of my generation. I’ve lost my hero, and my inspiration. I hope that I can somehow find out what destiny has in store for his soul.
Below is a tribute that I wrote in the moments after I heard this tragic news:
Heath Ledger.
Go slowly. Come back quickly.
I am compelled to write something of the way that I feel on hearing the news of Heath’s passing as I think it’s our responsibility to not only celebrate the too-short life of this young Australian, but it’s our burden to think about the consequences of his death. It is always too fickle to speculate on the circumstances involved and I will not do that here. What is certain is that Ledger’s movie roles will be remembered alongside that of all the great actors who have gone before him. What I am keenly aware of is that like so many talented young people, he has left us far too soon.
I am a month younger than Heath Ledger and his trajectory and quality of work has been inspiring. Since seeing him in Gregor Jordan’s film ‘Two Hands’, I have keenly watched all his films and have always been impressed with his performances. He is by far the greatest actor of my generation. I use the present tense because he will remain so – no one of my age will surpass his talent. His body of work is that good.
One of the most interesting aspects of Heath’s career has been his choice of film roles. His latest, due for release this year, is as Batman’s the Joker. Already it’s been said that his portrayal rivals that of Jack Nicholson’s 1989 version. I have no doubt that it will, as Heath inhabited the darkness of life all too well.
The 2002 release ‘The Four Feathers’ was the film that proved to me that Heath was the guy to watch. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, in a nutshell it was a film about the fall of the British Empire through their first significant military defeat. Heath plays the star, the young soldier driven into service out of family pressure and who leaves the army when they are to be sent to war. The film spoke of many themes of what it is to be a young man, not only in that society but through all the ages. Heath’s performance transcended the screen with an archetypal set of characteristics that resonates with me today, six years on. He embodied the themes of honour, love, betrayal, and redemption so beautifully. Through his acting, he showed us, the audience, that there is a path of redemption available to us all, if only we have the courage to pursue it. It spoke of the possibilities open to us all if only we have the gumption to strive on.
Actors, like writers, give so much of themselves. We invest so much emotion, it drains what little we have left to lead our own lives. Our art takes so much, sometimes more than we should give, often more than we realise. It’s a fine line, between our work and our lives and it is all too easy to blur that line. When we bring our work home, it destroys more than those around us. It consumes the very essence of what makes us human. When we explore darkness, in particular, it’s often too hard to turn back. It’s at times too intoxicating to walk away from when in the midst of the creation. You feel you have to live it to make it true.
The truth portrayed in ‘Brokeback Mountain’, the incredible Ang Lee film based on the brilliant story by Annie Proulx, cemented Heath’s spot among history’s great actors. The heavily silent emotions Heath brought out in his character added significant weight to what was already a heady role as written on the page and brought to the screen by Proulx and Lee respectively. Heath, through his character Dennis Del Mar, proved that love is as blind as it is unforgiving. That while it may be forbidden, the price of a love lost far outweighs a future of regret.
We will never know what brilliant work lay ahead in his future. We will reflect on what he has given us, those roles that defined him as an actor and a young man that will live on. Considering that he gave us so much of himself, I will always wonder if he had enough left of himself to sleep in peace at night.
What I do know, is that he has left a legacy and a benchmark for so many of us to strive for. And I do know that for someone who sought to bring us characters who had lived with so much truth, he deserves to be remembered through time as a genius actor.
As someone Heath’s age I am more than saddened at missing out on what else Heath would have taught me. While I am angry that I will now live a life without him in it, I come away reflecting on what he gave. Too much, too soon.
I was shocked to read this sad news in the morning papers today. My condolences to all the near ones of Heath.
Love,
Navin
I’m sorry for your loss and the World’s loss as well. Heath was a great actor and it looks like he had great friends as well. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Cara
The world has lost a beautiful soul.
Dear Shekhar,
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Ledger’s untimely passing. He was truly a talented actor. You knew him well and please accept my condolences and to his family. I would like to share my favorite poem with you and in Mr. Ledger’s memory. The poem is by Mr. Robert Burns – “A Red Red Rose”
O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it ware ten thousand mile.
May Peace Be With You Heath – God Bless
~ Jess
I still cannot believe he is gone! He was my favorite actor! I ALWAYS went out the day his movies were released to see him and I had always wished I could meet this wonderful man on day and now the only way I can is to meet him when I get to heaven! I know he is in a better place now since I kept reading he had trouble sleeping and what not this just saddens me more but at the same time makes me happy cause i know he’s not suffering anymore and he’s up with the lord permanently resting! I want to thank you for writing such kind and wonderful words for Mr. Ledger and let’s not forget him EVER!
I made a memorial page on myspace for him! If you can spread the word about it so that everyone can come pay their condolences!
http://www.myspace.com/heathledgermemorialpage
Thank you! 🙂 He will remain in my heart forever!!!!!!
Dear Shekharji
It is really sad when some one dies untimely.
I understand about your loss, when you have known someone ,it is more painful.
I saw Heath’s Four Feathers, and liked him.
may his soul rest in peace.
Regards
Swapna
Dear Shekhar,
My heart goes out to you and those who knew Heath in this life time. We mourn our loss of a passionate and talented actor and spiritual being. May we find joy in knowing he has returned to Source energy, which truly is a celebration of his Soul.
Blessings-
Donna
His passing is such tragedy. I didn’t know him except for his work and yet,am feeling really really sad. Something about him.
I can only imagine how painful it must be for someone like you who knew him personally.
I am sorry for your loss.
Some good things leave us too early!!
I grew up in Perth just like Heath, he is the finest actor to have come out of Perth. He is an inspiration to me and many others!
A true talent, an surreal artist!
God bless his free soul and may it may rest in peace!
hi ! visited earlier but did not know what words to use to offer condolences for the death of a friend who dies so young ?
to think its the one thing we call our ‘own’ above all else……..’ITS MY LIFE ‘. yet is it………………?
who was he ? the body that the world found lying in the room….? or the soul that moved on without as much as a ‘ with your leave ‘ to the body it resided in ?
I always thought he was a fantastic actor, but it’s the way he looked with his child that really made me respect him. I feel hollow for his family, and especially Matlilda and Michelle, who have lost a father and a supportive co-parent.
Heath Ledger was an incredible actor. His passion for his art shone through in every character he played. The director of Four Feathers says that he never knew a more honest, compassionate person, and perhaps those qualities were just what made him vulnerable to an industry of people who on a large scale see others as throw-away people when their unrealistic expectations, an industry hazard, are not immediately met with the same game playing that seems to go on in relationships of entertainers. It’s hard for any compassionate and honest, caring person with integrity to wade through the muck of this crazy world, much less to be surrounded by the superficiality of many of his peers. Heath is in a much better place, although my thoughts and prayers are with his family and true friends in the loss of such a beautiful person. He will be missed by all, and as much by his fans!
I saw Heath in London on January the 15th, just 5 days before he flew back to NY. He smiled at me and I could have stayed and said more. I regret it and paradoxically I even feel guilty. Who knows what a little change in a chain of actions could have prevented.
one of the finest talents of our geenration..wt a loss ..its devastating..will be hard for all his fans to come to terms with the fact that after the dark knight we will not see heath ledger on the big screen…my prayers r wid him and his family.
R.I.P HEATH LEDGER..
I watched your bandit queen for four times.the arid and forsaken plane of chambal becomes an absolute poetry by the director’s eyes.the task of depicting a story of a fearless girl was at a time challenging and required an unpartial view.thanks to those eyes.
My heart, my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone Heath has left behind. I hope his soul will find peace and his daughter will know that there is a higher spirit watching over her.
Thank you very much for your deep felt words, Mr. Kapur.
shekhar,maybe you could write about drug culture in achievers….happiness is a lost cause as to retain it one has to adopt a higher addiction and then its all fine with everyone on the same trip…channel SPACE!
Ever since I heard of Heaths death i am extremely shocked and saddened. I don´t know what to do. As I read through the internet, it seems many people felt and still feel a strong connection with him as do I. The one thing that really shakes me is that i had a dream about his death less than 2 years ago and thought about writing to heath or michelle about it. but then i told myself they´d never get the message or if they did, they wouldn´t believe me. I wouldn´t believe anyone telling me ´you´re going to die´or ´you´re boyfriends going to die, because i dreamed about it.´ the dream was so true. i just knew it was true. then after a while, when nothing happened and heath was all well i forgot about the whole thing but now, after i heard of heaths passing away it all crashed over my head. I can´t think of what the use of my dream was, if i couldn´t change anything – how should it influence me? – and now i just feel a very strong connection to heath and his family though i´ve never met them. I pray for strength for Michelle and Matilda and admire them for this rocky path they´ve chosen! My love goes out to them and heaths family and everyone who loved him and feels close to him. I don´t know what is happening here, but it´s huge and emotional and i hope it brings the families closer together. Heath, you passed way too soon but i believe the time felt right to you, otherwise you´d still be here. I´m sure you knew exactly when to leave, as you were such an intuitive person. I wish you all the best, wherever you are now. let me post a song of my friend carl, who is also australian. This is for you:
You fought hard against the wings of the world,
You fought long and hard and drew the card of impermanence.
You gave all that you could feel,
You spoke your mind,
Raised your voice,
Encouraged others in their healing,
Inspired more to do the same
Fair hearts and minds.
To sing the song not play the game,
Gave us hope and inspiration,
Never let us look down,
You kept your head held high
Against the tides of this futile life
You gave everyone your smile
Through the lonely painful meanwhile
Maybe noone ever knew
´til it broke you
In my sadness and desperate anger,
I could wish, you had´ve called out to someone,
But your communication to the world was confined to beauty and the power to stand for your beliefs and you wouldn´t have entertained,
Sharing fears and failures.
For us you would stay strong.
So thank you for your courage and your determined will to try
That served you up to here, but not past your hell or one last tear
You gave everyone your smile
Through the lonely painful meanwhile
Maybe noone ever knew
´til it broke you
You gave everyone your smile
Through the lonely painful meanwhile
Maybe noone ever knew
´til it broke you
Now we can only offer love
And the safety of your soul
And wish you all the peace you dreamed of
Where you are now
And where you´re going to
And where you´re going to
And where you´re going to
…
Heath – we love you. Be safe!
I know it must be hard to lose a friend. the day i heard about what happened i felt like a lost a friend that day as well. I might have not known him on a personal level, but i felt i got to know him through his movies as if he was speaking to me. Heath will always be remembered through his movies as a brilliant actor of his time such a sad time for all of us to see a young talent like that to leave this world so soon when it feels like he would have done great things in life.
Hello again Shekhar
Once again, our paths cross and prove that we are all so connected and so close without even knowing. As I mourn the loss of a fellow Aussie and fine actor, you mourn the same young man as a younger brother and kind soul.
Please remember that you haven’t “lost” him… His soul is where it is meant to be right now.
Blessings to you, as always
Melita x
Hey,
I`m a final year student of journalism and i am doing a research on Bloggers and the New Media.
As you are a blog writer, i would like you to fill up a questionnaire for me which would help me in my project work.
You may visit the link at :-
http://fs10.formsite.com/shwetas/form360352923/index.html
and submit your answers therein.
OR
You can get in touch with me through email and i`ll mail you the questionnaire in .doc format.
Thanks,
Shweta
I’m sorry for your loss. Indeed, I am sorry for us all.
Up and away Heath, to the great beyond and where it is always most bright and beautiful as you.
Dear Shekhar,
It is amazing to see that the Writer’s Guild strike has actually brought the industry to a halt (and all award functions cancelled) and I am really happy that the Actor’s have joined hands in solidarity. I think after a lot of struggle the writer’s are finally finding “weight” and their true place. As Frank Capra says in this sort of funny quote:
“Scriptwriting is the toughest part of the whole racket… the least understood and the least noticed.” – Frank Capra
The 1988 strike happened when there were no 24 hr news channels and no online newspapers/blogs so it may not have had the same impact, but now I feel this event will go a long way to cement the position of writer’s in the industry.
Best Regards,
Himanshu
Dear Shekhar,
That is, apart from what Heath’s family have said (particularly his older sister – truly heartbreaking), the most poignant thing I have heard somebody say about Heath since his tragic death.
Before this loss I wasn’t what you would describe as a big fan (although I was extremely excited to see his performance as the Joker as I had just been saying that his career would reach the sky after that, it looked so amazing just from the trailers) so I am shocked to feel so broken hearted and quite frankly distraught. I feel for his family, his friends, Michelle and his daughter Matilda. I am sure he will still watch her grow up from wherever he is, but it breaks my heart knowing that he won’t be here, which is something we all know he wanted very much.
I believe what you say in that he is an ancient soul, I get that when I look at his eyes, an oldness beyond his years. I’ve been told the same by a psychic myself. Maybe I knew him in a past life and that is why I hurt so much over the death of someone I never met. Who knows?
He will become a legend, not for his death, but for his performance in The Dark Knight (and for his previous films) and probably because the world is surprised to grieve so much.
Thank you.
Leigh x
R.I.P HEATH LEDGER..he was a legend in the making..a great loss..its so funny how ppl are posting adds on to this post ……anyways..a tribute to the loss of one of the greatest talents the world mourns….heath ledger is gone but never forgotten…its a devastating loss..one of my favourite actors….awaiting his next release “the dark knight”. its a harsh truth his fans will have to face that we are no longer going to be seeing him perform on the big screen after the dark knight.:(
R.I.P heath ledger
Dear Shekhar and readers,
Although I do not know who the author is, I think you will find this most comforting.
Gone from My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just as someone at my side says, “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
First at all, I must apologize,,for my English is not as good as I wished…. I am from Spain, and ,,what to tell ’bout Heath Ledger’s death?
Like me,, a lot of friends , a lot people,, have felt deeply this excelent actor death.
But over all those things,,, wherever you’re (I know sure you are in God’s hands and peace now), THANK YOU for help us and give a new force ,throug that character we’ll never forget: ENNIS DEL MAR…
Heath, deeply in our hearts,, rest in peace,,unforgetable Ennis del Mar,,,
Thank you.
“Santiago”
Thats so sweet of you, trying to express yourself despite whatever.
Smile dear, your emotions feel more stronger than your words.
Smiles~~~
I cannot help but also feel very very strongly about Heath Ledger’s death. The first thing I thought of was how devastated Michelle must have been and then leaving behind his sweet daughter. Everytime I have seen one of his performances, I could not help but be captivated buy his acting. I always thought….there is something about this guy. It was like he wasn’t acting. Like he was bearing part of his soul to us, he is one of the greatest unique actors of all time. I can’t believe how much people everywhere are greiving for him. It just shows how true and powerful his spirit was.
Rest In Heavenly Peace Heath ?
Thank you for sharing the poem Cindy. Doesn´t matter, where it comes from. It´s really beautiful!
I have a text from Kahlil Gibran here.
It might not be all easy to understand but I still like the feeling of it:
On Death
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Shekhar,
Please accept my warmest condolences concerning Heath…I know he was your friend, in addition to having worked with him. He was truly a beautiful, illuminated presence, and you would know better than we, though it truly seemed as though he lived–and cherished–every moment, regardless of what emotion might have drawn through him, both on screen and off. Perhaps that is the gift of the greatest actors–and the greatest human beings.
I also wanted to let you know I finally saw Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It was almost unsettling, in that the loneliness was almost palpable. Behind that wall of glass–able to see out, but unable, out of necessity, to escape in order to play the role she was meant to play in this world. It seemed a matter of needing to come to peace with that role, despite the ache for human contact–the need for intimacy–the sense of someone who knows you to the depths of your soul, so that somehow, you know you are not alone. It would be the reason she craved Raleigh so much, knowing, as she did, that she could not have him. There was no one to whom she could allow herself to be most vulnerable, and wholly human. She was instead relegated to living vicariously through others, presiding with the strength and gravitasse expected of a “prince of the female gender.” She had to be the divine on earth–and her fear came because she, too, had a human heart. She was not made of stone, though her strength was much more poignant and powerful because of the necessity of transcending that human fear when her country needed her most. Such are indeed the great souls, being who they most are and who they must most become in those moments of greatest trial.
My reason for writing this, too, in this e-mail about Heath, is that in him, too, I sensed a profound loneliness. Those with such sensitivity are often the most compassionate, never wanting others to feel pain, for they know a certain pain themselves, whether or not it is ever fully seen. It is often hidden. I would never believe he committed suicide–he would have loved his family and his daughter too much for that–loving life through them and through the experience of each moment–and too much to ever imagine causing them pain. But I do believe a loneliness existed. It does always with the greatest and most sensitive souls, who are here for a profound purpose, for their contributions to who we are as human beings and those whom they love most, and like any compassionate being, giving love without expecting anything in return–though indeed cherishing that true gift of emotion.
I can only imagine how much you have been moved by the friendship you had with him–and still do in a world which resides along with this one.
Warmest regards,
RdS
Dear Shekhar,
I have been following Heath’s career for years, and I feel that Four Feathers was the movie that made me fall in love with him. Thank you for that. I am 39 years old and find myself still choking up and crying on a daily basis. My condolences to you and all who loved him so.
Thank you so much Shekhar,
for every Your thought shared here with all of us
I followed the work of Heath after have seen splendid ” The Four Feathers” , i just love this movie with all my Heart
Still I Can’t believe to what happened I simply loved Him as an Actor , because of Wonderful emotions he gave me with His Unique Play , What a gift He had
So much Merits did Him a Special Person …. something of Rare that He owned as the Modesty that always transmited . How beautiful was his shyness and sensbility.
My Deepest Feelings then goes to the Family , that Beautiful Baby .
Heath gave so much through His work and the Tributes to HIm from all the World are just Speachless , so Deserved and Touching .
I just hope He is able to looking for all his loved ones and able to see how much he was loved and respected in every part of the world
I Wish Heath was here , I will remember HIm
With affect from Italy
Giada
R.I.P.,Mr.Ledger.
Wish you were here….
A candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long…
Dear Shekhar, I want to thank you for Four Feathers, this deeply moving and striking film, that happened to be my favorite of Heath’s films. It is so personal to me, I felt so connected to Harry in a way I never did with any other character. Once I’ve been watching it 4 times 4 days in a row trying to find my life’s answers together with Harry through his difficult trial. It was emotional, draining…
Heath was beyond words in it. And the soundtrack is just as wrenchingly beautiful.
As for Heath I still cannot come to grips with what happened. How to accept something that is just wrong in every single way.. He loved life so much, wanted to do so much, he wanted stay..
It’s just surreal, I lack for words, still not for tears
Thank you for your great words for him.
/Julia
Dear Shekar,
I want to thank you for your views on Heath. You were truly blessed to know this wonderful and amazing human being. Now, six months later, he is still mourned by so many. Through his films, he touched the hearts of all those who watched, and somehow, we felt as though we were getting to know him ourselves. I still don’t understand why this happened, and I don’t think I ever will. I guess that God must have had something very special planned for him. I wish that I had gotten the chance to know him personally, but that can never be, but I really do enjoy reading your inflections. Thank you again.
Lisa