Heath Ledger was an Australian actor known for his versatile roles in films spanning various genres. After establishing himself in Australian television and film during the 1990s, he transitioned to Hollywood in 1998. His notable works include "10 Things I Hate About You," "The Patriot," "A Knight's Tale," "Monster's Ball," "Brokeback Mountain," and his Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Ledger's promising career was cut short by his untimely death in 2008, with his final films, including "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," released posthumously. Beyond acting, he explored directing music videos and harbored aspirations of becoming a film director.
1931: Ledger's inaccurate statement about lynchings
While criticizing the refusal of some cinemas to show Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger mistakenly claimed that lynchings occurred in West Virginia in the 1980s. Scholars clarified that the last documented case was in 1931.
1976: Peter Finch Becomes First Posthumous Acting Oscar Winner
Heath Ledger posthumously won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Dark Knight" in February 2009, becoming the second actor to achieve this honor after Peter Finch's win in 1976.
April 1979: Birth of Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was born in Perth, Western Australia in April 1979.
April 1979: Heath Ledger's Family Background
Heath Ledger was born in April 1979 in Perth, Western Australia. His family was involved in the Ledger Engineering Foundry. The Sir Frank Ledger Charitable Trust is named after his great-grandfather.
1990: Birth of Heath Ledger's Half-Sister, Ashleigh Bell
Heath Ledger's half-sister, Ashleigh Bell, was born in 1990 to his mother and her second husband.
1992: Heath Ledger's Early Acting Role
Heath Ledger began his acting career with a role in the television series "Clowning Around" in 1992.
1993: Heath Ledger's Television Work
Heath Ledger appeared in the Perth television series "Ship to Shore" from 1993.
1996: Heath Ledger's Role in "Sweat"
Heath Ledger played a cyclist in the TV series "Sweat" in 1996.
1996: Birth of Heath Ledger's Half-Sister, Olivia Ledger
Heath Ledger's half-sister, Olivia Ledger, was born in 1996 to his father and his second wife.
1997: Heath Ledger's Early Career in Television and Film
In 1997, Heath Ledger had roles in the television shows "Roar" and "Home and Away", as well as his feature film debut in "Blackrock".
1998: Heath Ledger Moves to the United States
In 1998 Heath Ledger moved to the United States to pursue his film career.
1998: Publication of "Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction"
The novel "Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction", on which the film "Candy" starring Heath Ledger is based, was published in 1998.
1999: Heath Ledger Stars in "10 Things I Hate About You"
Heath Ledger starred in the popular teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999.
1999: Breakthrough Roles in "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Two Hands"
Heath Ledger's career gained momentum in 1999 with his roles in the teen comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" and the Australian crime film "Two Hands".
2000: Heath Ledger Appears in "The Patriot"
Heath Ledger appeared in the historical war film "The Patriot" in 2000.
2000: Heath Ledger in "The Patriot"
Heath Ledger played Gabriel Martin in the historical war film "The Patriot" in 2000.
2001: Heath Ledger's Breakout Roles
Heath Ledger had prominent roles in "A Knight's Tale" and "Monster's Ball" in 2001.
2001: Heath Ledger's Rising Star Status
In 2001, Heath Ledger's performance in films like "Monster's Ball" earned him the ShoWest Award for "Male Star of Tomorrow".
2002: Heath Ledger in "The Four Feathers"
Heath Ledger starred in the adventure drama film "The Four Feathers" in 2002.
2003: Ledger's Will Signed
Heath Ledger signed his will in 2003.
2003: Heath Ledger in "The Order" and "Ned Kelly"
Heath Ledger starred in the thriller film "The Order" and the biographical crime film "Ned Kelly" in 2003.
2004: Ledger and Williams begin relationship
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams began their relationship in 2004 after meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain.
October 2005: Birth of Matilda Rose Ledger
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams's daughter, Matilda Rose, was born on October 28, 2005 in New York City.
2005: Ledger addresses "gay spoof" controversy
After his giggling while presenting at the 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards was misinterpreted as a "gay spoof" by the Los Angeles Times, Heath Ledger clarified that it was due to stage fright and apologized for any offense caused.
2005: Heath Ledger's Critically Acclaimed Performances
Heath Ledger received critical acclaim for his roles in "Brokeback Mountain", "Casanova", and "Lords of Dogtown" in 2005.
2005: Heath Ledger's Diverse Roles
Heath Ledger showcased his versatility in 2005 with roles in films such as "Casanova", "The Brothers Grimm", and "Lords of Dogtown".
2005: Critical Acclaim for "Brokeback Mountain"
Heath Ledger's performance in "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005 earned him widespread critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
January 2006: Ledger sells Bronte residence and returns to the US
In January 2006, Heath Ledger listed his residence in Bronte, New South Wales for sale and returned to the United States, after living with Michelle Williams in Brooklyn from 2005 to 2007.
January 2006: Paparazzi target Ledger and Williams at Brokeback Mountain premiere
In January 2006, paparazzi targeted Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams with water pistols on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain.
2006: Heath Ledger Stars in "Candy"
Heath Ledger starred in the Australian drama "Candy" in 2006.
2006: Ledger's reported struggles with substance abuse
In 2006, video footage surfaced of Heath Ledger stating that he "used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years," leading to reports of substance abuse. While his publicist denied the accuracy of these reports, they highlighted the pressures and scrutiny he faced.
2006: Ledger directs music videos and launches record label
In 2006, Heath Ledger directed music videos for Australian hip hop artist N'fa and inaugurated a new record label, The Masses Music, with singer Ben Harper, also directing a music video for Harper's song "Morning Yearning".
2006: Heath Ledger's Role in "Candy"
Heath Ledger starred alongside Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush in the Australian drama "Candy", released in 2006.
September 2007: Ledger's Nick Drake tribute at Bumbershoot Festival
Heath Ledger's music video for Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog" was shown publicly for the first time at the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle in September 2007.
September 2007: Ledger and Williams break up
In September 2007, Michelle Williams' father confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams had broken up.
October 2007: Ledger Completes Filming "The Dark Knight"
Heath Ledger completed his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" in October 2007. Director Christopher Nolan later recalled the emotional experience of editing the film after Ledger's death.
October 2007: Start of Ledger's Earnings Estimation Period
Forbes begins calculating Heath Ledger's earnings for the year beginning in October 2007.
October 2007: Ledger's Nick Drake tribute at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre
In October 2007, Heath Ledger's music video for Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog" was shown publicly for the second time at the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
November 2007: Ledger begins dating Gemma Ward
Gemma Ward revealed in 2011 that she and Heath Ledger began dating in November 2007 and spent Christmas together with their families in Perth.
November 2007: Ledger discusses insomnia and role preparation
In an interview in November 2007, Heath Ledger revealed his struggle with insomnia, particularly while preparing for intense roles like the Joker in The Dark Knight, highlighting the pressures of his profession.
2007: Directors Praise Ledger's Talent
In 2007, multiple directors who worked with Ledger, including Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster, and Todd Haynes, praised his talent, dedication, and intuition as an actor.
2007: Heath Ledger's Performance in "I'm Not There"
Heath Ledger portrayed one of the six characters embodying aspects of Bob Dylan's life in the film "I'm Not There", directed by Todd Haynes, in 2007.
2007: Heath Ledger Portrays Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There"
Heath Ledger played a fictional actor embodying an aspect of Bob Dylan's life in "I'm Not There" in 2007.
2007: Heath Ledger's Performance in "I'm Not There"
In 2007, Heath Ledger received praise for his role as Robbie Clark in the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There".
January 2008: Death of Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger passed away in January 2008.
January 2008: Heath Ledger found unconscious
On January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger was found unconscious in his SoHo apartment in Manhattan.
January 2008: Ledger's declining health during The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
In January 2008, while filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Heath Ledger's health deteriorated, reportedly suffering from a respiratory illness and continuing insomnia, for which he was taking medication.
January 2008: Heath Ledger's Passing and the Completion of "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
Heath Ledger passed away in January 2008. His final role, in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", was completed with the help of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, who played variations of his character.
January 2008: Initial Autopsy and Toxicological Analysis
On January 23, 2008, an initial autopsy of Heath Ledger was conducted, followed by a complete toxicological analysis.
January 2008: Heath Ledger's Death and Posthumous Recognition
Heath Ledger died in January 2008. His performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight", released posthumously, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards.
January 2008: Concerns About Prescription Drug Abuse
Following the official announcement of Ledger's cause of death in January 2008, concerns arose about the increasing issues of prescription drug abuse.
January 2008: Mourners Gather at Ledger's Apartment
As news of Heath Ledger's death broke on January 22, 2008, media, mourners, and fans gathered outside his apartment building to pay their respects.
February 2008: Posthumous Award for "I'm Not There"
Heath Ledger posthumously shared the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award with the cast and crew of "I'm Not There" in February 2008.
February 2008: Todd Haynes praises Ledger's directorial work
In February 2008, director Todd Haynes praised Heath Ledger's work as a music video director while accepting the ISP Robert Altman Award, which Ledger posthumously shared.
February 2008: Ledger's Will Filed
Heath Ledger's will was filed in New York City on February 28, 2008, sparking discussions about his daughter's access to his inheritance.
February 2008: Ledger's Cause of Death Released
In February 2008, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York released its conclusions regarding Heath Ledger's death.
February 2008: Actors Honor Ledger in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
Following Ledger's death, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell stepped in to complete his role in Terry Gilliam's film, donating their earnings to Ledger's daughter. The film served as a tribute to his legacy.
February 2008: Physicians Cleared of Wrongdoing
A DEA investigation in February 2008 cleared two American physicians from Los Angeles and Houston of any wrongdoing in relation to Ledger's death.
March 2008: Rumors of a Secret Love Child
In March 2008, a report was published suggesting that Heath Ledger might have fathered a child when he was 17. However, these claims were later dismissed by family members as baseless rumors.
July 2008: "The Dark Knight" Is Released to Critical Acclaim
"The Dark Knight," released in July 2008, received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. The film also broke numerous box office records.
July 2008: Legal Proceedings for Ledger's Estate
In July 2008, legal proceedings began in the West Australian Supreme Court regarding the distribution of Heath Ledger's estate.
August 2008: US Attorney's Office Closes Investigation
The US Attorney's Office in Manhattan closed its investigation into Ledger's death in August 2008 without filing any charges.
August 2008: Deadline for Claims on Ledger's Estate
August 11, 2008, was set as the deadline for submitting claims against Heath Ledger's estate.
August 2008: Mary-Kate Olsen's Attorney Denies Allegations
In August 2008, Mary-Kate Olsen's attorney released a statement denying allegations that she had supplied Ledger with the drugs that led to his death.
September 2008: Ledger's Family Grants Fortune to Matilda
In September 2008, Heath Ledger's family decided to leave his entire fortune, estimated at US$16.3 million, to his daughter, Matilda.
October 2008: Forbes Estimates Ledger's Earnings
In October 2008, Forbes estimated that Heath Ledger's annual earnings from October 2007 to October 2008, including his earnings from "The Dark Knight", were around US$20 million.
November 2008: Ledger Nominated for Two People's Choice Awards
In November 2008, Heath Ledger received two People's Choice Awards nominations for his role in "The Dark Knight": "Best Ensemble Cast" and "Best Onscreen Match-Up" with Christian Bale.
December 2008: Ledger Receives Golden Globe Nomination and Posthumous Win
Heath Ledger was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" in December 2008. He posthumously won the award in January 2009.
2008: Calls for Ledger's Oscar Nomination Emerge
Following the success of his performance in "The Dark Knight," many film critics and Ledger's peers advocated for him to receive an Academy Award nomination.
2008: Ledger's struggles with insomnia during The Dark Knight
In 2008, while filming The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger experienced severe insomnia due to his immersive approach to playing the Joker, leading him to rely on medication for sleep.
2008: Bon Iver Begins Working on "Perth"
Justin Vernon began writing "Perth" in 2008 and planned to collaborate with Matt Amato, a friend of Heath Ledger's, on the music video.
January 2009: Ledger Wins Golden Globe Award Posthumously
Heath Ledger was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" in December 2008. He posthumously won the award in January 2009.
January 2009: Ledger Wins People's Choice Award for "Best Onscreen Match-Up"
In January 2009, Heath Ledger won the People's Choice Award for "Best Onscreen Match-Up" with Christian Bale for their performances in "The Dark Knight."
January 2009: Ledger Receives Posthumous Academy Award Nomination
On January 22, 2009, the anniversary of his death, Heath Ledger was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."
February 2009: Ledger Wins Posthumous Academy Award
Heath Ledger posthumously won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Dark Knight" in February 2009, becoming the second actor to achieve this honor.
August 2009: Ledger's final directorial work premieres
Heath Ledger's final directorial work, music videos for Modest Mouse and Grace Woodroofe, premiered in August 2009, showcasing his talent beyond acting.
2009: Posthumous Release of "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
Heath Ledger's final film, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" was released posthumously in 2009.
January 2011: Heath Ledger Theatre Opens
The Heath Ledger Theatre, a 575-seat venue named in honor of the late actor, was opened in Perth, Australia, in January 2011.
2011: "Perth" by Bon Iver Is Released
In 2011, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver revealed that the song "Perth" from their album "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" was inspired by stories about Heath Ledger, told to him by Ledger's friend, Matt Amato.
April 2017: Trailer Release for "I Am Heath Ledger" Documentary
The trailer for "I Am Heath Ledger," a documentary exploring the life and legacy of Heath Ledger, was released in April 2017.
May 2017: "I Am Heath Ledger" Documentary Release
The documentary "I Am Heath Ledger," featuring archival footage and interviews about the late actor, premiered in May 2017.
2017: Forensic Pathologist's Assessment
In 2017, a forensic pathologist, Jason Payne-James, suggested that Ledger might have survived if hydrocodone and oxycodone had not been present in the drug combination he took before his death.
2023: Ledger's Daughter to Receive Full Ownership of Oscar
Heath Ledger's daughter, Matilda Rose, will receive full ownership of his posthumous Academy Award statuette in 2023 when she turns eighteen. Until then, her mother, Michelle Williams, holds it in trust.