In memorium: Heath Ledger

From an adolescent troublemaker in 10 Things I Hate About You, to a complex, gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain, the American audience has seen Heath Ledger grow from a teen heartthrob into an Oscar-nominated actor. As shocking as his death was - and still is - we must not forget to celebrate his life and his achievements. Ledger pushed the limits of his characters to give the world cinematic moments that it will always remember.

Named for a character in the novel Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff Andrew Ledger was born to Sally Bell and Kim Ledger in 1979. He caught the acting bug at an early age, acting at a theater in his hometown of Perth, Australia. At only 16, Ledger left school to pursue an acting career in Sydney, where he played various roles in television and small films.

1999 brought Heath his first breakout role in the film 10 Things I Hate About You. In one of our generation's greatest homages to teen angst, Ledger brought sensitivity to the part of high school's resident bad boy. Patrick smoked, drank, and very rarely combed his hair. The facade was dropped, however, the moment he picked up the microphone and started singing to Julia Stiles's shrewish character, Kat, in front of the whole school. That was the moment when every girl in the audience sighed, wishing they could find someone to flash that flirtatious grin their way. And just like that, Heath went straight from the movie screen into the bedrooms and lockers of young girls everywhere.

Soon Ledger's career skyrocketed as he proved that he was more than a pretty face, playing a variety of roles in blockbuster hits and independent features alike. In his first big-budget film, The Patriot, Ledger held his own among a cast of more seasoned professionals. The actor shared the screen with Mel Gibson, playing the legend's on-screen son. He played Gabriel Martin in this Revolutionary War piece, a young patriot who enlists in the army, to the dismay of his father, and survives wounds to fight for his country. Although he may not be the focus of the film, Heath steals the show with his death scene, providing the most devastating moment of the movie.

This was only the beginning to Heath Ledger's illustrious career. After a small role in the Oscar-nominated film Monster's Ball, Ledger earned his own Oscar nomination when he took on the role of Ennis Del Mar in the modern-day Western, Brokeback Mountain. The film will undoubtedly go down in history as the fallen thespian's greatest achievement. The film sparked a nationwide phenomenon as it topped the box-office charts - no small feat for an independent feature. Heath took the character Del Mar to new heights, perfectly conveying the sense of gruffness and confusion simultaneously. His romance with partner Jack Twist is achingly beautiful, as Del Mar tries to fight his intense feelings. The movie is summed up best in the iconic line, "I wish I knew how to quit you," which reverberates with anyone who has ever been in love, no matter what sexual orientation.

It was on the set of Brokeback Mountain that Ledger met Michelle Williams, who played his wife. The two brought their romance to life, publicly affirming their relationship on The Oprah Winfrey Show during a media publicity tour for the film. In 2005, they had a daughter, Matilda Rose, and were engaged until they amicably split in 2007. Before this, Ledger was reportedly in high-profile relationships with Naomi Watts and Heather Graham. As of 2008, he was reportedly dating model Gemma Ward.

Ironically, Heath Ledger's last movie release almost seemed to foreshadow his untimely death. He portrayed one of six personas representing Bob Dylan in the art house drama I'm Not There, winning him universal critical acclaim. Heath's character was an actor who sacrificed his life for fame, losing his wife and children in divorce, and turning to drugs for solace. The work gave the actor a chance to branch out as well, as he actually sang a Dylan classic. The tragedy of the character in future viewings of the film will no doubt evoke eerie feelings, as the viewer recognizes life's imitation of art.

But the world has yet to see one of his most-anticipated performances as the Joker in The Dark Knight - the role that won Jack Nicholson an Oscar nod about 20 years ago. The recently released trailer exhibits a revamped Joker, as Ledger sits in a jail cell tormenting the prison guards. His tattered clothes and smeared makeup cast a frightening tone for the entire movie, stealing the show from Christian Bale's mythic frontman. Heath committed to his character so much that he actually developed the mindset of the Joker in real life, staying up till all hours of the night. The buzz for the role is so huge that there is already talk of a posthumous Academy Award nomination.

As the world waits for the verdict of what happened Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, we should celebrate Heath Ledger: the man and his movies. Whatever you are in the mood for - a hearty laugh or a study of the complex human psyche - Ledger's works, even in his short career, can satiate any void. Ledger's career is not over, literally or figuratively. With a library of fun and challenging movies and The Dark Knight on the horizon, Ledger, although he will be missed, will continue to live through his art.

See Reel Life with Stuart Pike for more details on Ledger's shocking death.