Heath Ledger Found Dead at Age 28: An In-depth Look

On January 22, 2008, Academy Award nominee, Heath Ledger was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m by the New York Police Department. CNN reports that Ledger's body was discovered by a housekeeper who went to wake him up after he had missed a masseuse appointment.

Ledger was found in his Soho apartment on Broome Street. The actor battled substance abuse for many years. Prescription and non-prescription sleeping pills were found at his bedside.

Ledger is most recognized for his role as the complicated Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. Ledger took his art seriously but often said, "I do this for fun. When it doesn't become fun any more I'll walk away."

Ledger had spent this past summer perfecting his role as the Joker in the upcoming Batman sequel, The Dark Knight. The actor had received criticism by veteran actor Jack Nicholson a few months ago.

Director, Christopher Nolan had tried his best to keep the Batman sequel under wraps. Every detail of the upcoming film has been very tight-lipped. From the cast, to the midwest location to the musical backdrops, Nolan was not allowing any leaks of the highly anticipated film.

Jack Nicholson was shocked when he found out about the film that had already been in production the entire summer. Upon the discovery that Heath Ledger was playing the Joker, Nicholson became livid about the secretiveness of the film.

Nicholson told MTV, "I'm furious they never asked me about a sequel with the Joker I know how do that. Nobody ever asked me," he angrily stated.

Ledger never responded to the criticism because he just wasn't that type of guy. He had been through enough experiences to choose his battles and know what was important as opposed to what was rhetoric. Life and confidence teaches you it is unnecessary to respond to things of minor importance. Ledger had bigger issues that he was fighting internally.