How Heath's Body Was Discovered

The Olsen twins' connection to Heath Ledger's apartment is now clear.



Here's the way it went down. A cleaning lady for Heath arrived at the apartment first, followed soon thereafter by a masseuse. They both entered the room at around the same time and discovered Heath's lifeless body.

The cleaning lady called police. The masseuse, we're told, called the bodyguard for the Olsens. She called him because they're friends and he's an EMT. The bodyguard was around the block at Ashley's and he immediately went over. By the time he arrived, the cops were already there.

We're also told it appeared Heath "had been dead for a while" and there were no visible signs of trauma. There was a pill bottle on the nightstand.

Heath Ledger's Rep: "Saddened and Shocked By This Accident"


Heath Ledger takes his daughter Matilda Rose Ledger out on his
shoulders for a walk in Soho, NYC on November 17, 2007.
Flynet

Health Ledger's rep, Mara Buxbaum, has issued the following statement following the actor's unexpected death:

"We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this accident. This is an extremely difficult time for his loved ones and we are asking the media to please respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation until the facts are known."

Earlier, his family acknowledged the "very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda."

Hollywood "Deeply Saddened" over Heath

By: Natalie Finn
Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:58:44 PM PST



Many of those approached to comment on the sudden death of Heath Ledger were too distraught to speak. But all are in agreement on the magnitude of the loss.

Perhaps avoiding the obvious questions awaiting her, Naomi Watts has canceled all her press appearances for Wednesday at the Sundance Film Festival, where her dark comedy Funny Games is slated to premiere at midnight.

She and Ledger met on the set of Ned Kelly in 2002 and dated for nearly two years. The late actor accompanied her to the Academy Awards in 2004, when she was up for Best Actress for 21 Grams.

A rep for Michelle Williams, Ledger's ex-fiancée and mother of his two-year-old daughter, Matilda, declined immediate comment. The 27-year-old actress was reportedly on location in Sweden when she heard the news and a close friend has told several outlets that Williams is "devastated."

Ledger, who was known more as a teen heartthrob before his breakout, Oscar-nominated turn in Brokeback Mountain three years ago, was found dead Tuesday in his New York apartment. The cause of death is unknown, but police are speculating that drugs were involved because sleeping pills were found near the body. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Although it's unclear what exactly happened, those close to Ledger have insisted upon referring to his passing as accidental.

"We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this accident," Ledger's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said in a statement Tuesday night. "This is an extremely difficult time for his loved ones and we are asking the media to please respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation until the facts are known."

"Heath's family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time," Kim Ledger, the actor's father, said in a video statement to Australian TV.

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

"He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

Grief will no doubt be expressed in different ways as the details surrounding Ledger's death continue to unfold.

"The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news," Warner Bros. execs Alan Horn and Jeffery Robinov said of the 28-year-old Aussie, who had recently wrapped the studio's Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, and was already winning raves for his reincarnation of the Joker.

"The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

I'm Not There director Todd Haynes, who helmed Ledger's performance as one of six incarnations of Bob Dylan in the unconventional biopic, called his death "an unimaginable tragedy.

"Heath was a true artist, a deeply sensitive man, an explorer, gifted and wise beyond his years. There is no finer person on this earth,” the filmmaker said in a statement.

James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features and a producer on Brokeback Mountain, got to know the actor during the filming of Ang Lee's at-first controversial—and then merely critically acclaimed—romance epic.

"Heath Ledger was a courageous actor, and a great soul," Schamus said in a statement. "He gave us the gift of sharing his fearless and beautiful love—of his craft, and of all who worked with him—for which all of us will be eternally grateful."

Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan shared similar thoughts about Ledger's acting prowess earlier this month, saying the young thespian wasn't afraid to fully immerse himself in a challenging role.

"It was a very great challenge for Heath," Nolan said of Ledger's role as the Joker, the modern-day incarnation of which was originated by Jack Nicholson in 1989. "He's extremely original, extremely frightening, tremendously edgy. A very young character, a very anarchic presence that taps into a lot of our basic fears and panic."

And the role apparently took its toll on Ledger, whose character the actor described as a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy."

"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told the New York Times in November. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." He said that he took two Ambien to sleep, but that they only worked for about an hour.

"I had such great hope for him," Mel Gibson, who played Ledger's father in the Revolutionary War drama The Patriot, said in a statement to E! News. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Shortly after news of Ledger's death broke, hundreds of people swarmed around the SoHo apartment building where he lived, both people from the neighborhood and fans who immediately hopped on the subway to visit the scene.

Michelle Williams 'Devastated' by Heath's Death



Michelle Williams was on location in Sweden, believed to be with 2-year-old daughter Matilda, when she got the news: Heath Ledger was found dead in New York at age 28.

"She's devastated," says a source close to the 27-year-old actress.

Although their three-year relationship didn't last, Williams and Ledger could always agree that their daughter comes first.

"He was absolutely in love with his daughter," says another source. "And he really liked what he did [acting]. He spoiled [Matilda] rotten. He was playful and very funny with her."

The source adds: "I can't believe Matilda is going to grow up without a dad, without knowing her father. And that Michelle will have to deal with having a daughter who's lost her father. She's a survivor. She'll make it, but it's going to be hard. Her first concern is going to be Matilda."

Violet Affleck Enters Into Orbit



Jennifer Garner takes daughter Violet Anne, 2, to pick up groceries at a supermarket in Brentwood, Calif. on Sunday morning.

Violet showed off her cute dimples as she carried around a pack of Orbit chewing gum. It also looks like she also had some powdered sugar donuts or something earlier–check out her face!



On a sad and unfortunate note, Jennifer’s paternal grandmother, Exie Mae Garner, died Friday at Edgewood Summit in Charleston, according to Sunday Gazette-Mail. She was 97. The funeral service was held on Saturday in Baytown.

Kiefer Sutherland is a Free Man



Kiefer Sutherland has been released from jail after serving his full 48-day sentence.
The 24 star walked out of prison at 12:05 a.m. Monday, hours earlier than had been expected.
The 41-year-old actor served jail time for a Sept. 25, 2007, DUI charge.
Glendal City Jail rep John Bailan said Kiefer spent his days doing laundry, emptying trash bins and mopping floors.
Now let’s get that writer’s strike out of the way and bring back 24!!!!!!!!!

Kingston Rossdale: Farmer’s Market Frenzy




Kingston Rossdale, the 2-year-old son of rockers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale enjoy a family fun day at the Farmer’s Market in Hollywood on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Gwen, 38, has decided quitting to permanently move to London so Gavin can focus on his solo career, according to UK’s The Mirror.
The 40-year-old former Bush singer will release his new album in April.
“Gwen loves London so she doesn’t mind staying here while Gav promotes the album,” says a pal. “After months looking after their son, it’s Gav’s turn to go out and bring home the bacon.”

‘Prince Caspian’ Movie Stills




new movie stills from the forthcoming film adaption of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, directed by New Zealand’s Andrew Adamson (Shrek, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
Via USA Today: It’s 1,300 years later, and Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes, second from right) must call upon Edmund (Skander Keynes, 16, far left), Peter (William Moseley, 20, left) and Susan (Anna Popplewell, 19, right) to help battle the pirate-like Telmarines and reclaim the kingdom of Narnia.
Prince Caspian is due out May 16, 2008. Check out the trailer if you haven’t already.
Barnes, 26, is already working on another film, shooting Easy Virtue with costar Jessica Biel in UK’s Oxfordshire.

Jordin Sparks is Prom Queen




Jordin Sparks is the cover girl for the Spring 2008 issue of Your Prom. Here are some fun facts about the American Idol alum:
On her wardrobe secret:“I always wear spandex shorts under any dress because there could be a breeze. I could sit the wrong way. It’s a safety issue.”
On her fashion weakness: “I have a ton of shoes. I have a pair of Adidas that I just bought. They’re really, really cool. They go with everything!”
On her fave dance music: “I love stuff with really driving beats. I love Justin Timberlake’s songs, [and] Kanye West is good to dance to.” Dream Role “My favorite Broadway play is Smoky Joe’s Café, and I would love to play any of the girls. I saw it like seven times when it was playing in New York!”
On her dating don’t: “Chewing with your mouth open.”

Police: Heath Ledger Was Found "Deceased, Naked and Face Down"



Paul Browne, Deputy Commissioner for Public Information of the New York Police Department, held a press conference on Heath Ledger Tuesday night.

He confirmed the following:

• The deceased was discovered by a masseuse and a housekeeper at approximately 2:45 p.m. today.

• The masseuse was there for a regular appointment.

• The deceased was found in his bedroom.

• The deceased was lying on the floor, curled up, at the foot of his bed.

• The deceased was naked and face down.

• There were not pills found scattered around the room as had been previously reported.

• There were some prescription bottles, including prescription sleeping medication, uncovered.

• Police do not know how long the deceased had been in the apartment.

• The deceased was renting the apartment.

• The cause of death has not yet been determined. The determination will be made by the medical examiners office.

Hate Church To Picket Ledger's Funeral



The "Reverend" Fred Phelps's Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to protest at the funeral of Heath Ledger.

Why?

The Reverend will picket the decease Aussie actor's funeral because he is a pervert who promoted homosexuality by appearing as a gay man in Brokeback Mountain.

Heath may not have been perfect, but he doesn't deserve this.

[Image via WENN.]

The Latest On The Heath Ledger Tragedy



Heath Ledger's body will be undergoing an autopsy today.

The actor, it has been revealed, was suffering from pneumonia at the time of his death.

He had also recently been filming in London shortly before his passing on Tuesday.

Friends of the Australian actor are saying that they saw his death coming.

"Heath has gone though a rough road of trying to get sober," reveals a pal.

Ledger's substance abuse issues could be one of the reasons for his split from Michelle Williams, mother to their two year old Matilda.

Williams is said to be devastated over the news of Ledger's passing.

Ledger was most recently linked romantically to Australian model/actress Gemma Ward.

And, although The New York Times has reported that Heath's death is likely an overdose, his family is insisting that it was an accident.

So sad. So incredibly sad.

[Image via WENN.]

James Rousseau: Kate is My Inspiration




Model and aspiring musician James Rousseau was interviewed by BBC’s breakfast presenter Howard Bentham Monday morning. This is the first interview James has ever given in three years and the first time he’s ever publicly spoken about his relationship with actress girlfriend Kate Bosworth. Interview snippets:
On why he wants to get into music now: “Music has always been a big part of my life. My mum plays the guitar and so she used to strum chord progressions and I’d sing with her and make up a melody as I went along, so I loved to harmonise and improvise from a young age. On the stereo there was always Dylan, Neil Young and Johnny Cash playing and I think a lot of my song writing is inspired by those people.”
On whether Kate was the inspiration for the song “To Make You Mine”: “I wrote this as a gift for her. Kate’s always been a great inspiration for me in my life. I’d put music on the back burner for a while and when we started seeing each other I’d play her songs and she used to say you should definitely go back into the studio and start recording so I owe a lot to her for really pushing me to get back in there.”
The interview is posted at BBC. You have to use the fast forward buttons to skip forward 2 hours and 10 minutes (that is 8 presses of the 15 minutes button and two presses of the 5 minutes). The interview will start up a minute or two later.

Elle Fanning @ 2008 Sundance Film Festival




FAWNING OVER FANNING

Elle Fanning, Dakota’s little sister, attends the Cotton Market world premiere party for Phoebe In Wonderland held during the 2008 Sundance Film Festival on Sunday in Park City, Utah.

In the film, Elle, 9, plays a little girl named Phoebe, who struggles with her increasingly mysterious and obsessive behavior and her Alice in Wonderland-infused fantasy life. Phoebe seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher (Patricia Clarkson). Felicity Huffman plays Phoebe’s mother and Bill Pullman also co-stars.

Also check out this interview with the film’s director Daniel Barnz at IonCinema.com.

Barnz spoke very highly of Elle: “We went to Elle Fanning, who had made an impression on me in both Door in the Floor and Babel. When I met her I was immediately struck – as I think many people are – by this kind of luminous quality she has about her. In fact, later on, when we were in the height of our pre-production stress and wondering how we were ever going to pull this off – we did our hair and makeup tests. Elle’s face appeared on the screen – there were probably ten people sitting in the room – and there were audible gasps. It sounds like a cliché but it was true – she literally lit up the screen. It really reassured all of us, knowing that we had that kind of presence in the role.”

Sanjaya Has a Girlfriend?




American Idol alum Sanjaya Malakar was seen getting cozy and walking arm-in-arm with a ‘female friend’ in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Third wheel sister (and Idol reject) Shyamali accompanied the pair on their lunch date. The brother-sister pair now share a house together in Los Angeles.

Sanjaya recently opened up to People about his music career.

“I’m not in the recording stages yet,” he said. “I’m writing music and starting to interview producers. If I had to define it, it would be alternative pop rock, like Paolo Nutini or James Morrison.”

Sanjaya also mentioned that he’s shopping to do a variety show similar to Donny & Marie in the 1970s.

“[Shyamali and I are] Donny and Marie for the next generation!” Ummm…

Brad Pitt For Edwin Jeans




Peep the new Brad Pitt ad for Japanese clothing brand Edwin Jeans!

Pitt, 44, has been their official spokesman and model for the brand for almost a decade now.

As always, there are rumors of Brad and Angelina Jolie adopting. UK’s Daily Mirror is reporting that the couple are hoping to visit African orphanages over the Easter holidays in March to find another daughter. Take this with a grain of salt!

EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Williams Is "in Her Own World" Right Now



Heath Ledger's ex, Michelle Williams, left Sweden and arrived in New York Wednesday, a source tells Usmagazine.com.

She has been in Sweden shooting the drama Mammoth.

She was seen in the country with her daughter Matilda's nanny and Mammoth director Lukas Moodysson at an airport.

A witness tells Us, "Michelle was so quiet ... not saying a word. She was in her own world."

"Everyone feels terrible for her and her child," a Mammoth crew member adds. "It's terrible news and saddening for us all."

Initial Ledger Autopsy Proves Inconclusive



Wednesday's autopsy was unable to determine how Heath Ledger died, say officials. Additional tests and more time are required.

"The autopsy was inconclusive," New York City Medical Examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove tells PEOPLE. "We have to do further testing including toxicology and tissue testing. Neither cause of death or manner of death has been concluded. We expect additional results in 10 days to two weeks."

The 28-year-old star's body was found in the bedroom of his downtown New York City apartment, with prescription sleeping medication nearby.

Another medical-examiner's office spokeswoman, Grace Brugess, also told PEOPLE on Wednesday that Ledger's body is ready to be claimed by the family, which, she said, is still working on funeral arrangements.

Ledger had pneumonia at the time of his death, PEOPLE has confirmed.

Pneumonia Ruled Out

Yet Michael Baden, a prominent forensic pathologist not involved with the investigation, tells PEOPLE that if the pneumonia had been the cause of the actor's death, that would have been evident in Wednesday's initial results, given that it is "readily identifiable at the time of autopsy, because the lungs, instead of being filled with air, are filled with fluid, and we die from pneumonia because we can't breathe."

He notes: "I would assume under the circumstances that if he'd die of pneumonia that would be clearly stated, because of concerns from the family."

As for the meaning of "inconclusive," Baden said, "My interpretation means they didn't find a proper cause of death. That kind of rules out the natural causes, such as a brain hemorrhage, pneumonia or a cardiac abnormality that is common in that age group. That leaves drug overdose as the most likely cause of death."

He adds, "That still needs an interpretation as to intentional or unintentional, but that's done by gathering information about his mental health and his recreational activities by interviewing physicians, neighbors, friends and family."

It's Good to Be Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger looks flawless and flirty on the February covers of the German versions of GQ and Vogue. She's been checking out what her favorite designers have to offer at Paris Fashion week, but it looks like Diane would do just fine walking down those runways herself. We just wish she'd land on the cover of an American magazine or two, so we could hear what Ms. Kruger has to say about fame, fortune, and of course her man Josh.

trent
Oscar

The nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning ... and I, for one, was pretty surprised by the outcome. As usual, the big names that one would expect to receive noms did, in fact, receive their noms but some other unlikely folks/movies also got some Oscar love this morning and still others were shut out:


There will be a close Oscar race this year, and it's anybody's guess who will be left behind. There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men lead the pack with eight each after nominations were announced Tuesday morning in Hollywood. Atonement and Michael Clayton are close behind with seven nominations each. Joining them in the best picture category is Juno, which picked up four nominations overall. No frontrunner has emerged because none of the films ran away with critics' groups awards this season, and none of them has achieved box office blockbuster status. Leading Blood and Clayton are two best actor nominees: Daniel Day-Lewis as an oil tycoon in There Will Be Blood and George Clooney as Michael Clayton, a fixer for a law film. Among surprise acting nominations: Tommy Lee Jones for playing the father of a missing soldier in In the Valley of Elah. Other best actor nominees are Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd and Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises. Cate Blanchett received her second best actress nomination for playing Queen Elizabeth I. She got the first as the young British monarch in 1998's Elizabeth. And now, she portrays the mature queen in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Blanchett is the fifth performer and first woman nominated for playing the same role in two films. Julie Christie, suffering from Alzheimer's in Away From Her, and Marion Cotillard, the volatile French singer Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, were considered locks in the best actress category. Ellen Page's inclusion for playing the pregnant teen in the comedy Juno delighted many critics and pundits. Somewhat a surprise among the group is Laura Linney, who cares for her aging father in The Savages. Blanchett's name appeared again when supporting actress nominees were announced. For her role as Bob Dylan in I'm Not There, she is the second performer to get a nomination for playing a member of the opposite sex. Linda Hunt won in 1984 for The Year of Living Dangerously. Joining Blanchett on the list are Ruby Dee,American Gangster; Saoirse Ronan, Atonement; Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone; and Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton ... Those expected to be nominated for acting awards but coming up short in the voting are Keira Knightley for Atonement, Angelina Jolie for A Mighty Heart and Emile Hirsch for Into the Wild. The biggest unanswered question of the day is whether the Oscar show will go on Feb. 24 if the Writers Guild of America remains on strike.


Drats! The dreaded Writer's Strike is still marring everything Hollywood-related ... but still, the nominations announcement is still very exciting. I'm thrilled for Cate Blanchett -- I'll deffo be rooting for her ... BUT, I'm so excited for Ellen Page. I would love it if she would win Best Actress and if Juno won Best Movie but I somehow doubt that will be the case. What a bummer for Into the Wild -- neither lead actor Emile Hirsch nor director Sean Penn got any love from the Academy. And you know that Kiera Knightly is bawling into her 'kerchief right now that she didn't get a nom for her work in Atonement. Welp, the noms are out ... and now we have to wait for the big show which will air on February 24. Click HERE for the full list of 2008 Academy Award nominees. [Source]

trent
Infamous Amy

The Sun has procured a shocking video of Amy Winehouse lighting up and smoking on what looks to be and is being reported as a crack pipe after revealing on camera that she just took 6 Valium pills. While I'm not entirely surprised by this behavior, it is still very disarming to actually see it in practice:



WILD AMY WINEHOUSE was filmed blitzed out of her skull and struggling to talk after sucking in crack fumes from a glass pipe. The tormented singing sensation took hit after hit of the deadly drug after a 19-minute binge in which she snorted powdered ECSTASY and COCAINE. And she admitted she had just popped six VALIUM pills to "bring myself down". Amy's spiral of self-destruction was revealed in a harrowing video filmed at her East London home and seen by The Sun. It will horrify relatives and friends who fear she could soon end up dead. The footage also laid bare the Back To Black singer's squalid lifestyle as she stumbled around in a grubby vest surrounded by junkies and parasitic hangers-on. At one point, lank-haired Amy is warned to watch out for smashed glass on the floor as she scours a bedroom for her kitten barefoot. The dazed and confused star accuses a guest of taking the pet from a quiet room into the drug-fuelled hubbub of her house party. She mumbles wearily: "If I was that cat I'd leave on my own accord -- I'd call a cab. It ain't right. This ain't Toys R Us. They took my cat." A friend of the waif-like chart-topper said last night: "Amy is locked in a nosedive towards oblivion -- she is killing herself. The video shows a woman completely out of control. Her family and her few real friends have begged her to pull herself from the brink many times. But here is proof she has pressed the self-destruct button. Her fans would scarcely recognise the drug-addled wreck in the video as the talented performer they love. We can only pray she will get a wake-up call when she watches the video herself and sees the terrible state she is in" ... Amy threw the party at her trendy home in the early hours of Friday -- just before she went to court to support husband BLAKE FIELDER-CIVIL at a remand hearing. Within seconds of greeting pals at the door, she greedily snorted powdered ecstasy offered on the corner of a credit card. Minutes later, with her head swimming, she is seen on the video being offered cocaine. A friend cautions her not to take too much because the drug is from a highly-concentrated stash. But Amy disregards the warning and hungrily snorts a clump. The star, her new bottle-blonde hair looking dull and lifeless, then drifts through her lounge in search of the next fix. She appears oblivious to booze and drugged-up hangers-on milling around and playing on her pool table. The surreal scene is played out against a soundtrack of 1950s songs from the stereo, including It's All In The Game by crooner Tommy Edwards, who drank himself to death at 47.

Blah ... and the sad scene goes on from there. A spokesperson for her record label, Universal Records, has issued this statement:

"We are deeply disappointed and upset by these latest revelations and are doing everything we can to offer Amy our full support in dealing with her problems."

Again, I don't really know that this new "revelation" is all that shocking ... what is shocking is that we are actually able to see Amy do the things that we've all suspected (she was apparently so blitzed she couldn't care less that she was being videotaped doing drugs). As with the release of the video of Pete Doherty shooting up drugs last year, this latest vid only confirms what we've been thinking all along -- Amy Winehouse needs serious help. It's just so incredibly sad. [Source, Source]

UPDATE: In the wake of the release of this new video, Amy has finally checked herself into rehab. Let's hope she finally cleans up her act.

UPDATE 2: Scratch that -- Amy has, once again, said No, No, No to rehab.

Officials: Ledger had 6 prescriptions

By TOM HAYS and KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writers
9 minutes ago



NEW YORK - Six different types of prescription drugs were found in Heath Ledger's apartment — including anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills — though the cause of his death won't be known for several days after a preliminary autopsy Wednesday came back inconclusive, authorities said.

A rolled-up $20 bill was also found on the floor near the Australian actor's bed, but lab tests detected no traces of drug residue. Police also said no illegal drugs were found in the apartment.

Among the prescription medications found were pills to treat insomnia and anxiety, and an antihistamine, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. Three of the drugs were prescribed in Europe, the sources said. Ledger had recently been filming in London.

The $20 bill was found on the floor near Ledger's bed, and New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said lab tests found nothing to indicate it had been used to snort drugs.

The Australian-born actor was found dead Tuesday by his housekeeper and a massage therapist — lying naked and face-down on his bed, police said. The pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police said the death was caused by a possible drug overdose and appeared to be accidental.

Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said that the autopsy on the 28-year-old actor was inconclusive and that more would be known in about 10 days, when more tests were completed.

Police said Ledger probably died Tuesday between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. At 1 p.m., the housekeeper went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.

At 2:45 p.m., the massage therapist showed up for Ledger's appointment, knocked on his door and got no answer. She later noticed Ledger was unconscious and called actress Mary-Kate Olsen, whose number was programmed into Ledger's cell phone, to seek advice.

Olsen said she would send over her private security. In the ensuing moments, the massage therapist realized that Ledger might be dead, called Olsen again, then called 911. Paramedics — and Olsen's security people — arrived minutes later.

News of the death stunned relatives, fans and colleagues.

"Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life," said Ang Lee, who directed Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain." "He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined — a thirst for life, for love and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking."

Lee Daniels, who produced the critically acclaimed "Monster's Ball," in which Ledger starred, strongly disputed any notion that Ledger had a drug problem.

"The definition of substance abuse is really up to one's perspective," Daniels said. "I didn't see him as a drug addict. I saw him as someone who enjoyed life. I know drug addicts; he was not a drug addict."

He said that he saw Ledger a couple months ago and that he was in great spirits. "He was in a good mood, he was in a great place ... he was excited about living in New York."

Before moving to Manhattan, Ledger lived in Brooklyn with then-girlfriend Michelle Williams in a four-story, sage-green brownstone with a black wrought-iron fence. Yellow tulips with red stripes were among the bouquets left by well-wishers Wednesday.

At the Brawta Caribbean Cafe two blocks from the residence, owner Jennifer Ewers said Ledger was a frequent guest who always ordered jerk chicken, rice and beans, and sorrel.

"He was a perfect gentleman. He comes in here with his hoodie on, reads a book, and gives you a peace sign," she said. "He was always with his daughter, playing hide-and-seek among the plants, or on his skateboard, peeking his head in."

Fans left flowers and candles Wednesday outside Ledger's apartment in the tony SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan on Wednesday. Khaled Ali, 41, a stage manager for a Broadway show, dropped off a candle on his way to work, saying he and fellow cast members were devastated.

"I felt a connection with him as an actor, as a fellow in the theater community," he said. "With `Brokeback Mountain' he touched me personally in telling the story of my community. It was very touching."

Ledger was known for grueling, intense roles that became his trademark after he got his start in teen movies like "10 Things I Hate About You." Thereafter, he avoided the easy path in favor of roles that forced him to bury his Australian accent and downplay his leading-man looks: the tormented gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain"; a drug addict in "Candy"; an incarnation of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."

Playing the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie "The Dark Knight" may be his final finished performance.

Ledger split last year from Williams, who played his wife in "Brokeback." The two had a daughter, the now 2-year-old Matilda. Wednesday evening, Williams and Matilda returned to Brooklyn from Trollhattan, Sweden, where the 27-year-old actress had been shooting scenes for the film "Mammoth," said Martin Stromberg, a spokesman for film production company Memfis Film.

"She received the news at her hotel late last night," Stromberg said, adding he had not spoken to the actress after she learned of Ledger's death.

A day after Ledger's death, at least six TV satellite trucks were parked on the block or around the corner from his Manhattan apartment, with a stream of TV reporters doing their standups. There were bouquets, letters and candles piled in front of the building.

A handwritten letter on plain white paper anchored by votive candles read:

"Heath, how could anyone hate 10 things about you. We couldn't find one bad thing about you. God bless your soul, you're in our prayers."

___

Associated Press writers Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Clare Trapasso contributed to this report.

Rolled-Up $20, No Illegal Drugs Found at Heath Ledger's Apartment



No illegal drugs were found in Heath Ledger's apartment, the NYPD told the AP.

A rolled-up $20 bill was near the actor's body, but a WCBS-TV report that the bill had drug residue was erroneous, police told the AP.

Naomi Watts Cancels All Her Press at Sundance Film Festival



Naomi Watts is mourning the loss of her ex Heath Ledger.

She has canceled all her press at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where she was set to promote her upcoming thriller Funny Games.

She also will not attend the premiere tonight, Usmagazine.com has confirmed.

The two met on the set of the romance Ned Kelly in 2002. She was 11 years his senior. They dated off-and-on for two years.

EXCLUSIVE: Production Shut Down on Heath Ledger’s Last Movie



Hours after Heath Ledger’s untimely death, crew members on the Vancouver set of his new fantasy adventure movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, were sent home, a source tells Us.

“I just got the call [Tuesday] saying everyone was being let go,” the on-set source tells Usmagazine.com. “We were supposed to start this weekend, but obviously they fired everyone today.

“They don’t know yet what they are doing with the footage that was already shot,” the source adds.

Ledger was on a break from filming when he died Tuesday. Shooting had begun in London last December. He was last photographed on set Jan. 19.

“Right now, everyone is in complete shock and can’t even speak,” the on-set source says.

The movie co-starred singer Tom Waits.

A rep for the movie’s production could not be reached.

FIRST PICTURE: Michelle Williams and Matilda Arrive in Brooklyn


Michelle Williams and daughter Matilda arrive back to their
home in Brooklyn on Jan. 23, 2008.


Michelle Williams arrived in Brooklyn tonight, the day after her ex Heath Ledger was found dead in a Manhattan apartment. Williams was carrying their two-year-old daughter Matilda.

Williams was shooting her latest movie, Mammoth, in Sweden when news of Ledger's death was reported Tuesday afternoon.

The couple met while working on Brokeback Mountain and split in September after three years together.

Grieving Michelle Williams Arrives in New York



Michelle Williams arrived home in New York on Wednesday, traveling from a film set in Sweden with daughter Matilda following the death of Heath Ledger.

Williams, 27, made a stop in Landvetter Airport in Gothenburg, Sweden, before traveling on to New York. She arrived at her Brooklyn home Wednesday night.

Just hours earlier, the body of Ledger was released by the coroner to a New York funeral home. Memorial arrangements had not been announced.

A source close to Williams told PEOPLE the actress was "devastated" upon hearing the news. She and Ledger split in September, but they both agreed that parenting their daughter came first.

"I can't believe Matilda is going to grow up without a dad, without knowing her father," another source told PEOPLE. "And that Michelle will have to deal with having a daughter who's lost her father. She's a survivor. She'll make it, but it's going to be hard. Her first concern is going to be Matilda."

Heath Had Sleeping Problems



As news circulates that Heath Ledger's lifeless body was discovered near a bottle of sleeping pills, at least one friend says she now regrets not heeding his complaints in recent weeks about insomnia.

"I talked to him briefly several weeks ago, and he just said something about how he was having trouble sleeping," an insider reveals to E! Online special correspondent Tina Dirmann.

"Now, to hear all this news of him maybe overdosing on sleeping pills accidentally, I can't get that out of my head."

But at the time, it was hard to see the complaint as a warning sign. In fact, the source tells Dirmann, Heath often operated on little sleep.

"He's talked about having insomnia before, but it always just seemed like something caused by run-of-the mill work stress," the source says. "And maybe stuff with his breakup with Michelle awhile back. He could be kind of a reflective, pensive guy, generally."

Despite the complaints of not sleeping, Heath didn't seem overly upset, Dirmann is told.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," adds the friend. "His ###### was pretty much upbeat, and he talked about getting together with some friends. He was just Heath."

people
Heath Ledger: Life in Photos
From being a dad to earning an Oscar nod, see how the actor rose through Hollywood


GONE TOO SOON
"Heath Ledger was a courageous actor, and a great soul," James Schamus,
CEO of Focus Features and producer of Brokeback Mountain said of the star,
who was found dead Tuesday in New York City. "He gave us the gift of sharing
his fearless and beautiful love – of his craft, and of all who worked with him –
for which all of us will be eternally grateful."



FAMILY LIFE
At 28, Ledger was already an Oscar-nominated actor – and a father. Daughter
Matilda (with actress Michelle Williams) was born Oct. 28, 2005. "It's what I've
always wanted," the self-proclaimed Mr. Mom said in 2006. "She's just adorable.
A beautifully observant, wise little kid."




DARK SIDE
More recently, Ledger had caused a stir, stepping into the macabre role of the
Joker in this summer's The Dark Knight, the sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. "It's
the most fun I've had with a character and probably will ever have," he said. "The
movie itself is far exceeding my expectations. I think it's going to be a really fun
movie to watch."

CHASING A DREAM
Ledger's rise on the screen started as a teen: At 16, he left his hometown of Perth,
Australia, and headed to Sydney, where he appeared on the Aussie TV show Sweat
and made his feature film debut in Blackrock. He then took the lead in the FOX series
Roar(left), a warrior drama that filmed in Queensland and costarred Keri Russell.




HEARTTHROB STATUS
Ledger landed his first Hollywood lead in 1999's 10 Things I Hate About You, opposite
Julia Stiles. The teen comedy raked in more than $50 million, but Ledger admitted he
was unhappy being labeled a heartthrob. "I was a young kid from Australia, and that
was the only movie someone was willing to put me in, so what do you do?" he told the
Houston Chronicle.




NEARLY GOLDEN
By the time he starred in 2005's Brokeback Mountain (left), Ledger had already worked
opposite Billy Bob Thornton (Monster's Ball) and Mel Gibson (The Patriot). In his
Oscar-nominated role of Ennis Del Mar, director Ang Lee gushed to PEOPLE that
Ledger's performance was reminiscent of "a young [Marlon] Brando."

DEFINING ROLE
"I would have been crazy to turn it down," Ledger (with his Brokeback costars
Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal) told Entertainment Weekly of breaking
barriers in the gay cowboy drama. "Any anxiety toward doing it was manufactured
through the industry. It obviously wasn't as big a deal for us, because we did it."




GOOD SPORT
Ledger (kissing the air vacated by Michelle Williams at the post-Oscars Governor's Ball)
kept a sense of humor despite losing out on Best Actor to Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2006.
He once said, "I think that flattery is just as dangerous or destructive as criticism. I think it's
all one thing."




HOLLYWOOD ROMANCE
On the Brokeback set, Ledger started a three-year romance with costar Williams, producing
a daughter, Matilda. Of an early encounter, he told Rolling Stone, "On the fifth take, Michelle
and I [are] tobogganing down the hill, and Michelle ... twisted her knee –she was pretty much
on crutches for the rest of the shoot. And I felt I always had to look after her after that."

'SO PROUD'
Ledger (with a radiant Williams at the New York premiere of Brokeback) called
meeting the actress the turning point of his career. "I'm so proud," he told Oprah
Winfrey in 2006. "I just fall deeper and deeper in love with both my girls."




NEIGHBORHOOD GUY
Ledger and Williams planted their new family in Brooklyn, where the actor easily
blended with the locals. Ledger, who moved to Manhattan after their split, was an
unassuming fixture in his brownstone neighborhood, often spotted taking the baby for
walks, skateboarding or stopping by local restaurants.




LOVE LOST
Ledger and Williams (at the 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards in Santa Monica)
called it quits in September. "It was rocky for a while," a source told PEOPLE. "They
did what they could to make it work." Ledger later became a regular at New York City
nightclubs and was even spotted with model Helena Christensen, but another source
said he was "bummed" about the breakup.

TRAVELING MAN
In September, Ledger traveled to the Venice Film Festival to promote his Bob Dylan
biopic I'm Not There. Relating to the film, he said: "I feel like I live a kind of gypsy
type lifestyle ... struggling with keeping consistency with a family life, a social life
and a professional life."




HARD AT WORK
Since the split, Ledger had been working often and recently wrapped The Dark Knight.
He was last spotted out Saturday in London, where he was dressed in a clown suit to film
Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and in street clothes chatting up the
film crew.




'A TRAGIC LOSS'
"I had such great hope for him," said former costar Mel Gibson, a fellow Australian. "He
was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss."

Heath Ledger - “Entertainment Weekly” Cover



Heath Ledger: 1979-2008

Excerpt from the article: “The tragedy struck in the midst of an already hectic day in the entertainment industry, as Hollywood reacted to the morning’s announcement of the Oscar nominations and the latest buzz emanating from Sundance. But word spread with lightning speed via cell phones and BlackBerries, and in nearly every case was met with disbelief. One high-ranking studio exec, after receiving an e-mail stating that Ledger was dead, quickly wrote back: ‘What — you mean his career?’ Charlize Theron learned the news while walking a red carpet at Sundance. Josh Hartnett was blindsided at a Sundance Q&A by a question about Ledger’s death; he struggled to answer even as the crowd jeered the man who had asked it. The passing of an actor in his prime — he earned his first Oscar nomination at age 26 for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain and was just months away from reinventing the Joker in the highly anticipated Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight — seemed too shocking to absorb at first, while at the same time painfully familiar. Within minutes of the story breaking, some 300 entertainment reporters, cameramen, photographers, and fans began to descend on Ledger’s building, creating a tableau that resembled a grisly perversion of a movie premiere. Bystanders snapped photos on cellphones and paparazzi climbed the fire escape of the building across the street hoping for shots into Ledger’s fourth-floor loft. ‘It’s crazy — he was so young,’ said one stunned observer.”


HEATH LEDGER At the time of his death, he was just months away from reinventing
the Joker in the highly anticipated Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight

Check out Enertainment Weekly’s full cover feature at EW.com

Jerry O’Connell Spoofs Tom Cruise



Jerry O’Connell spoofs Tom Cruise’s Scientology Video in a hilarious parody of the mega moviestar.

Jerry’s imitation of Tom’s laugh is spot on and flat out genius. This is a MUST-SEE VIDEO!!!!!!!

Check out the video here!!!!!

Amy Winehouse in Rehab



Amy Winehouse has gone to rehab — yes, yes, yes.

The singer, 24, entered a drug rehabilitation facility, her record company said Thursday.

"Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors," Universal Music Group said in a statement obtained by Usmagazine.com.

"She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction."

Earlier this week, a video surfaced of the singer apparently using a crack pipe.

"Yes, I am worried about her, but this picture doesn't show anything we didn't already know before," her father Mitch told reporters of the footage.

Police are still deciding whether any charges should be brought against Winehouse over the video.

EXCLUSIVE: Britney Spears’ Bizarre School Visit



Britney Spears is no stranger to odd antics, but her behavior on January 7 was particularly bizarre.

A source tells Usmagazine.com the “scantily clad” pop star showed up at a Beverly Hills elementary school, saying she was there to pick up someone else’s kids.

(She lost custody of her own sons January 4 after being rushed to the hospital. She blew off a custody hearing yesterday.)

The singer parked her car outside the school just before 3 p.m. and spent 10 minutes smoking cigarettes and talking to herself while she waited for classes to let out.

“She was just rambling and confused,” says the witness, who approached Spears to ask if she was OK. “She said, ‘I’m here to pick up my kids.’ But then she changed her story and said, ‘They aren’t my kids; I have a new attorney, and I came to pick them up for her.’”

Adds the witness, “All I could think was, Who in their right mind would let her pick up their kids?”

As children began to leave for the day, the star, 26, caused a commotion — “It became the talk of the school. Some of the kids were freaked out,” says a school source. She was directed to a more secure entrance around back.

But before getting into her car and driving off (without any children), she chatted up the female witness: “She said, ‘You’re so nice. You should give me your number. I don’t have very many friends.’"

Ledger's Joker a Serious Topic



The Dark Knight posters ask, "Why so serious?" In the wake of Heath Ledger's death, the answer is because the movie has a situation.

"So far everything's been about the Joker," says Comics2Film.com founder Rob M. Worley. "Can they continue to put the Joker's face on this?"

Everything changed Tuesday when Ledger, who plays the greasepaint-caked criminal in the upcoming Batman Begins sequel, was found dead at the age of 28.

Warner Bros., the studio behind the comic-book franchise, was said to be mulling its marketing campaign for the $150 million movie, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader.

"It's one of those things that pops up in our business that you need to deal with," says Mitch Litvak, president of the L.A. Office, an entertainment marketing firm. "They're going to have a chance to sit back and think about it."

Fortunately for Warners, it has time. The film, which Ledger completed his work on last fall, isn't due out until July 18.

While the ad campaign may be tweaked, fans' interest won't be affected, Worley predicts. "If anything, they want to see it more now," he says. "There will be an almost spiritual component."

The situation looks to be trickier, if not more perilous, for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the Terry Gilliam fantasy Ledger was working on at the time of his death.

According to Variety, Ledger's name helped the independent production secure its $30 million budget. Without its biggest star, the movie has three options, the paper said: recast, shoot around Ledger's absence or call "cut."

Filming on Doctor Parnassus began last month. Ledger, who died in New York, had been shooting in London last week.

On Thursday, Gilliam and the producers said they "will be assessing how best to proceed."

"Heath was a great actor, a great friend and a great spirit," the statement said. "We are still in a state of deep shock, saddened and numb with grief."

If the movie is scrapped, it'll be the second time this decade that a Gilliam production has been so cursed. In 2000, the filmmaker started and stopped work on the never completed The Man Who Killed Don Quixote when his aged leading man suffered a back injury.

On a legacy note, if Doctor Parnassus doesn't recover, The Dark Knight will become Ledger's final film. And even Worley's not sure how he feels about that, about seeing Ledger, an actor of sensitivity who earned an Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain, go out on screen as a sick and sadistic villain.

Says Worley: "It's not like On Golden Pond, where it's this sweet sentimental sendoff that Henry Fonda had."

Angelina Jolie: TWINS?



Angelina Jolie is pregnant with Brad Pitt’s TWINS, Star is reporting.

Angie, 32, has been eating for three over the past week and has canceled a long-scheduled trip to Europe because of the pregnancy new.

“Brad and Angelina are absolutely ecstatic,” another source says. “But I still think there will be more adoptions to come.”

There are also reports that Angie has been making visits to the OB GYN office of the doctor who helped Nicole Richie through her recent pregnancy.

TWINS? Don’t believe it ’till you see it!

Heath Ledger's Family Pours Out Grief



Heath Ledger's family members bared their grief in an Australian newspaper, writing of the heart-wrenching loss of the Hollywood actor – who to them was always a brother or a son.

In one of several messages in the death notices section of the West Australian on Friday, his mother Sally wrote:

Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us. You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda.

His older sister Kate, who called her brother by the pet name "Roast," wrote:

I can hardly breathe when I try to write this. We were the ultimate in soul mates. I feel both my heart and life have been torn apart. I loved our special talks, our daily chats from where ever you were in the world.

I especially loved all the precious time we spent together. We were so fortunate to have you as long as we did. You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother.

There will never, ever be another "Heath" and I think that in itself is the greatest tragedy.

I will continue to talk with you everyday and love you just as if you were here. You will never leave my thoughts "Roast", ever.

A Message from His Father

His father Kim, who called his son by the nicknames "Heatho" and "Beef," writes:

My beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent, so caring, so young . . . no more chess games mate . . . this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!

My body aches for the sound of your voice, our chats, our laughs and our life and times together.

Your truly varied artistic skills, insatiable desire to improve and eclectic abilities set you apart from any other person on the planet . . . it had only just started for you ... and for us to further enjoy. We were one, in soul and commitment. Just . . . Father and Son. I will love you forever, Dad.

His Entire Family Writes

And a note signed by his entire family read:

How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss? ... You were the most amazing individual "old soul" in a young man's body.

You so loved us, as we dearly loved you. As a close knit and very private family unit we have observed you so determined yet quietly travelling in your self-styled path in life, nothing would get in your way ... no mountain too tall, no river too wide.

You dreamed your dreams and lived them with passion and intelligent commitment. We have been privileged to accompany you on a ride through life that has simply been amazing and through it all, we have loved each other beyond imagination.

Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care. Our hearts are broken.

Jessica Biel is Pocahontas



Jessica Biel portrays Pocahontas in an image titled “Where Dreams Run Free,” created by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Jennifer Lopez is Princess Jasmine



Jennifer Lopez portrays Princess Jasmine while husband Marc Anthony does his best Aladdin from Disney’s Aladdin.

The couple soar through the Arabian night in part two of a dream scene entitled “Where a Whole New World Awaits,” created by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Kate Moss is a Longchamp Lady



Here are the latest Kate Moss print ads for Longchamp. The supermodel has been the spokesmodel for the French luxury goods company since 2006.