Brokeback Mountain star found dead in apartment

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment yesterday.

Ledger, 28, was found unconscious with pills near his body after a possible drug-related death this afternoon, New York police department spokesman Paul Browne said.

The Australian-born actor was found by his housekeeper at around 3.30pm after she went to let him know the masseuse had arrived for her appointment, Browne said.

Police officials said they did not suspect foul play and Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the city’s medical examiner’s office, said an autopsy was planned for today.

Ledger, who was nominated for the best actor Oscar in 2006 for Brokeback Mountain, had a two-year-old daughter Matilda from his relationship with actress Michelle Williams, who played his wife in the film.

The couple split up last year.

He was due to appear as the Joker this year in The Dark Night, a sequel to 2005’s Batman Begins, and his other roles include the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton in Monster’s Ball.

He also starred in A Knight’s Tale, The Patriot, and 10 Things I Hate About You.

Ledger grew up in Perth, Australia and began doing amateur theatre at age 10. At 16, he moved to Sydney to pursue an acting career, quickly landing TV movie roles and guest spots on Australian television.

Last night, outside the SoHo apartment in downtown Manhattan, several police officers stood guard at the door as a large crowd of reporters and photographers gathered outside.

Michelle Vella, who works in nearby store Calypso, said she had frequently seen Ledger carrying his daughter Matilda on his shoulders, or having ice cream with her.

“It’s so sad. They were really close,” said Ms Vella.

“He’s a very down to earth guy and an amazing father.”

A crowd of onlookers, photographers and reporters gathered outside the apartment building after news of Ledger's death was reported. Police officers were guarding the doors.

Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, and named Heathcliff Andrew after the main characters of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. He began acting at a local theatre as a child.

Ledger’s first American film was the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999, and he immediately attracted attention from Hollywood. He passed up several scripts before taking a role in the Revolutionary War drama The Patriot in 2000 and A Knight's Tale in 2001. He also played a supporting role in Monster’s Ball, among other films.