Jan 23, 2008 7:59 pm US/Eastern
Hollywood Reacts To The Loss Of One Of Their Own
Calls Ledger's Death 'Tragic End To A Talented Life'
Nicholson: I Warn People About Ambien, I Almost Drove Off A Cliff Once
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
As New York City residents and fans of the dynamic star display their affection with a growing memorial outside his SoHo apartment, all of Hollywood is expressing its grief behind a unanimous message: the tragic loss of one of their own.
The Aussie's shocking death seems to find all of Hollywood in agreement – that his life was a promising one cut drastically short.
Ledger's former fiancée, Michelle Williams, is expected within the hour at the Park Slope, Brooklyn home the couple once shared with their 2-year-old daughter, Matilda.
Williams's mother arrived at the house earlier Wednesday, where she awaits her daughter's arrival from Sweden, where the talented actress, who played alongside Ledger in his most highly acclaimed role for his interpretation of a gay cowboy, had been shooting scenes for her upcoming film "Mammoth."
Hollywood at large is reeling from Ledger's highly speculated death.
"It's really tragic when somebody who was as gifted and talented is cut down in the early part of their career because we always think about what more they could have offered the world," said director Rob Reiner.
At the "Untraceable" premiere, actor Colin Hanks weighed in as well:
"He was a very brave actor and I don't really know what happened, but something really bad happened."
What exactly happened remains a mystery, but rumors and assumptions have circulated the media since his body was discovered unresponsive after the 3 p.m. hour on Tuesday. In an interesting coincidence, althought Ledger played an addict in the 2006 Australian film, "Candy," director Neil Armfeld said it was clear from his research that Heath was unfamiliar with addiction.
"Just learning what the mechanics of addiction are about, they weren't the actions of a person who knew that world," said Armfeld.
Questions remain about the Ambien found alongside Ledger's body. Actor Jack Nicholson is cautious about the sleeping aid.
"Well you know I warn people about Ambien, I almost drove off a cliff once," said the 70-year-old actor widely known for his indulgent personality.
Ledger picked up Nicholson's torch, playing the joker in the Batman sequel, "The Dark Knight," due in theaters this summer. As of now, Warner Brothers has not commented on whether the movie's summer release will be altered.
"I worked on "The Dark Knight," but Heath and I never met, we were never on the same set, so this is as much news to me as it is to anybody and it affects me in the same way," said actor Morgan Freeman.
WCBSTV.com's Most Popular Pages
Slideshow: Best Movie Bloopers
Slideshow: Openly Gay Celebrities
Slideshow: Game Show Hosts Through The Years
Slideshow: Harry Potter Mania
Slideshow: Celebrity Weddings
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
