I think we forget sometimes the celebrities are real people, who deal with crap, just like you and me.
Then something like what happened this week with Heath Ledger happens and we remember that their lives are just as big of a mess (or bigger) than ours.
I have some thoughts about Heath Ledger’s death… just some ponderings.
It’s really sad. I don’t understand how anyone can get to the place of suicide (assuming that’s what’s happened, although it’s not yet official)… let alone someone like Mr. Ledger. Someone who seemingly has the world at their fingertips: Young, Beautiful, Talented, Wealthy, Successful, Respected, etc… Plus the fact that apparently he was a loving father to his daughter Matilda.
This is a guy who was an Academy Award nominee, someone who was beginning to break out of playing the typical teen heartthrob role (10 Things I Hate About You, A Knights Tale), and was beginning to play more mature and eclectic roles (i.e… Brokeback Mountain, Monsters Ball, The Dark Knight).
It’s really just very sad. He was already receiving outstanding reviews for his upcoming role as The Joker in the 2nd installment of the Christian Bale as Batman remakes.
You have to wonder if somehow he became so immersed in the role of The Joker that it somehow affected who he was at the core. There’s no doubt that The Joker is an intense character which requires the actor to fully devote himself to being this self described “freak”. This may be a long shot, but you have to wonder if it played a role in his sad fate.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing him portray The Joker in what for me is the most anticipated movie of 2008. It will be interesting to see how/if his death impacts the marketing, and box office success of the film. Check the trailer out here:
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Very sad loss, indeed. Although the more I’ve read, the more it seems there have been other similar incidents of cold/respiratory infection medications reacting with sleep aids like the Ambien and Lunesta that was reportedly in the room as well. The reports are so similar that in combination with what I know about suicide by overdose, I have a difficult time believing this was a suicide. I think it was a prescription drug interaction gone horribly wrong.
But dude, who can deny playing the Joker would mess with you?
Janet,
I hope that version of the story is the one that the toxicology report would reveal. Not that it would make it any less tragic, but maybe a little more manageable?
Check this link out for some more info regarding the details, and some connection with Jack Nicholson.
http://entertainment.aol.ca/article/jack-ambien-warning/67635/
Luke
hi luke,
wow, what a very complicated topic – suicide. i’ve had a many a personal interaction with a friend of mine who’s husband committed suicide almost three years ago (he was my boss as well) so I’ve seen work side of the equation and have heard about the home side by way of her. Bottomline — there are times when no one sees it coming or if they do it’s a day late, have been areounf suicide support groups and the theme is common. perplexing as to why our eyes, hearts and minds can not be more perceptive/ that said, it also seems show the power of wanting to keep our troubles hidden. hoping you perhaps might be able to use the heath ledger story as a teaching opportunity in your ministry. make something positive come from this…ltwin
This new Joker role seems so much more… sinister than the last don’t you think? And, hearsay it may be, I heard the drugs were in fact used as a part in the role, whether to deal with the stresses of the character itself, or to help induce it. Regardless, it is such a tragic thing to happen to such a promising young star.