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Heath Ledger Profile |
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Birth Date:
April 4, 1979
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Birth Place:
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Birth
Name: Heath Andrew Ledger
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Height: 6'1"
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Biography |
Heath Andrew Ledger, born April 4, 1979, is an Australian
actor.
Ledger was born in Perth, Australia of Irish and Scottish
descent. He lived in Western Australia until he was 16, when
he left school (Guildford Grammar), a year early. He then
moved to Sydney with his best friend, Trevor DiCarlo, in
pursuit of a career in acting. Ledger got his first break by
starring in the American television series Roar.
In 1999, Ledger starred in the Hollywood movie 10 Things I
Hate About You and also had the lead role in the acclaimed
Australian movie Two Hands, directed by Gregor Jordan. Since
then he has starred in such films as The Patriot, A Knight's
Tale, Ned Kelly, The Order and The Brothers Grimm.
Heath Ledger's most professionally successful year to date
was 2001, with his ShoWest Award for the Male Star of
Tomorrow based on his performance in The Patriot, and
worldwide release of the hit anachronistic jousting romp A
Knight's Tale. In 2003 Heath was named one of Australian
GQ's Men of the Year for acting.
He is engaged to actress Michelle Williams, whom he met on
the set of Brokeback Mountain (2005), a film which won the
coveted Golden Lion at the 2005 Venice Film Festival.
Together they have a daughter, Matilda, who was born on
October 28, 2005. |
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Other
Information |
Heath Ledger and his sister are named after the two main
romantic characters of the Emily Brontė novel, "Wuthering
Heights".
Dated costar Lisa Zane while they were filming "Roar"
(1997).
Concentrated on Drama and sports in school and when asked to
choose between sports or drama, he picked drama. Attended a
private all boys school called Guildford Grammar.
Auditioned for the part of Max on the TV show "Roswell"
(1999). However, the show was originally developed for Fox
and since he had already starred in "Roar" (1997) which was
unsuccessful for Fox, they did not want to hire him.
Has three sisters: Kate Ledger, and half sisters Olivia
Ledger and Ashleigh Bell.
Mother is Sally and father is Kim.
Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in
2001.
Dated Heather Graham. [October 2000 - June 2001]
Was a part of the Kalamunda Field Hockey team back in 1990
in his native country of Australia. His father, Kim Ledger,
was the president of the team from 1990-1992.
Was a Men's Fashion Judge at the Melbourne Cup Carnival in
November 2001.
Shares a birthday with Hugo Weaving.
Was originally set to star in Oliver Stone's Alexander
(2004) before Colin Farrell took over the role.
Was considered for the role of Kar in Bulletproof Monk
(2003) but eventually turned it down. The role later went to
Seann William Scott.
Dated Naomi Watts (August 2002 - May 2004)
He and Naomi Watts broke up for the 2nd time, April 2004.
Born on the same day as American Pie (1999) star Natasha
Lyonne.
Worked with Orlando Bloom in Ned Kelly (2003). Ledger worked
with Scottish actor James Cosmo in The Four Feathers (2002).
Both Bloom and Cosmo worked together in the movie Troy
(2004)
Was named "the new Matt Damon" in Josie and the Pussycats
(2001). They now act side by side in The Brothers Grimm
(2005)
Most of his wardrobe is designed by his friend Shem.
Is of Irish and Scottish ancestry
Starred in 3 films which screened at the 2005 Venice Film
Festival. They included Brokeback Mountain (2005), The
Brothers Grimm (2005) and the out-of-competition Casanova
(2005/I).
Girlfriend Michelle Williams gave birth to daughter Matilda
Rose Ledger on 28th October 2005, weighed in 6 lbs, 5 oz. |
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Heath also dated Christina Cauchi, an Australian model he met on the very first date he moved to Sydney from Perth, after Lisa and he broke up for about 8 months and then he dated her again after he broke up with Heather Graham for another 8 months or so. She was with him in Rome when he was filming 'The Order/Sin Eater', and she was with him when he started filming Ned Kelly in Australia, but he unceremoniously dumped her as soon as Naomi Watts joined the set.
Nearly 2 years later, Heath then did exactly the same thing to Naomi Watts when Michelle Williams joined the set of Brokeback Mountain.
It has never been confirmed that Heath and Michelle are engaged. His sister Kate denied that they were engaged to the press in Perth back in December 2006. It's a case of wishful thinking for Michelle.