Heath Ledger

His Beautiful Life and Mysterious Death

De: John McShane

Narrado por: Bob Sinfield

Young, cocksure, handsome and absurdly talented, Australian actor Heath Ledger shot to prominence with his first Hollywood film "10 Things I Hate About You": and a star was born. With huge charisma and smouldering looks lighting up the screen in a series of subsequent films, Heath was soon established as Hollywood A-list, dating a series of beauties such as Heather Graham and Naomi Watts, and living every young man's dream.

But it was his award-winning and controversial role as Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain" that cemented his place in the pantheon of acting greats - he was one of the youngest people ever to be nominated for an Oscar. And it was on the set of this film that he fell in love with his co-star Michelle Williams.

Though the relationship wasn't to last, the couple had a daughter in 2005. With the world at his feet and a film-stealing turn in the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight", in the can, there was worldwide shock and disbelief when the news broke that he had been found dead in his New York apartment on 22 January 2008. Prescription drugs, found next to his dead body, were thought to be the cause, but mystery surrounded the circumstances. Was it an accidental death? Or were the pressures of life in the spotlight too great to bear?

What is certain is that this young man, who touched the lives of so many people, leaves behind a grief-stricken public and family, including a two-year-old daughter. This is the tragic story of the brilliant actor whose light shone so brightly but all too briefly upon the world.

©2008 John Blake Publishing (P)2013 Prospero Media

Too based on press coverage

This book is based vastly on press accounts and interviews of Heath during his life. It is mildly biographical, but there is way too much quoting of reporters and not enough "the story of Heath Ledger's life." If you're looking for a good biography, this is not it. Also the narrator's attempt to adjust his Aussie accent as he quotes others is a bit unsettling.

Aussie journalist sums up tragic story

The short impactful life and mysterious death of 28 year old star Heath Ledger is told from headlines, clips, interviews, reviews smoothly and with considerable compassion. This Aussie journalist has few new interviews and no access to those close to the last e star but uses public sources to tell this sad story. There is no reason snider view but for those who want a wrap up of his life and death this is well told. For Americans the British pronunciation’s are annoying but his love for his subject is sweet.

More of a tabloid review than a biography

I love biographies. This had very little research. it was more of an editors selection of articles from tabloids strung together.