Brad Renfro and Heath Ledger - Dead Before 30

2008 started out with a horrible blow to the movie world with the death of two young actors, both in their prime. Tragedy is a mainstay in Hollywood and beyond, but when it revolves around the lives of the young it's almost shocking. American actor Brad Renfro died January 15^th at the age of 25 and Australian born actor Heath Ledger died on January 22^nd at the age of 28.

Brad Renfro was a troubled young star who had previous drug problems and may have died because of those problems. Brad was born in Tennessee and made his movie acting debut in 1994, staring in the title roll of The Client at the age of 11. Brad acted in 21 movies, including Sleepers (1996), Apt Pupil (1998), Bully (2001), The Jacket (2005) and 10^th & Wolf (2006). He also acted in several short films, and was in one episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent (the episode is titled 'Watch') in 2006.

Heath Ledger had a less sordid past than Brad Renfro, but he too was found dead after what some think was a drug overdose. There is much speculation to what actually happened to cause the death of this young actor, but no matter what happened it is most definitely a tragedy. Heath started his acting career appearing in television roles during the 1990s. He went on to star in numerous movies, including He starred in both critical and financial successes, including 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Patriot (2000), A Knight's Tale (2001), The Four Feathers (2002), The Order (2003), Lords of Dogtown (2005), The Brothers Grimm (2005), Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Casanova (2005). Just shortly before his death Heath has completed his roll as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie, the Dark Knight.

It is doubtful either of these promising young actors wanted to die or died on purpose, and it is yet unknown exactly how either of them did die, but it is tragic. Isn't it always tragic when a young person that we've all heard of and watched on TV or on the big screen dies? Even more tragic is the issue with drugs in their lives, but that extends itself to actors of all ages.