Heath Ledger: 15 years without the most serious clown

His time in the cinema was brief, but he left an indelible mark. This Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Heath Ledger that, at barely 28 years old, he had already captivated the world on several occasions, but that he would not live to see the effect of his most influential role, the one that led him to win the oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

But before the award, Ledger was already one of the great actors of his time. He is in the most traditional cinema, of the formulas, or in the unique proposals. His role as the “bad boy” Patrick Verona in “Ten Things I Hate About You” (1999), a loose adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”, positioned him as someone capable of giving weight to even the most difficult role. simple. His talent was confirmed after a few years in “A Knight’s Heart” (2001), where he played squire William Thatcher in his farce by claiming a title that does not correspond to him, but whose nobility he deserves.

It is with “Secreto en la montaña” (2005) when recognition beyond traditional cinema arrives. His role as cowboy Ennis del Mar, who becomes romantically involved with his colleague Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), earns him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, which he did not win. Over time, the film became a classic of homosexual-themed cinema, considered taboo even for Hollywood in the early years of the 21st century.

It was then that the British filmmaker Christopher Nolan selected him to play an unprecedented version of the Joker, Batman’s most famous villain, in “The Dark Knight” (2008). With disconcerting and not so ridiculous laughs, the character became an icon of lawlessness, as well as the ultimate test for a city that proved to be above any resentment. The director talked to him years ago about the role of the hero, but Ledger turned it down because he didn’t want to be in a superhero movie. His opinion changed upon seeing “Batman Begins” and he sought out Nolan to ask him for the role of the villain, even before the script was ready. But Ledger did not know in life how influential his character would be.

The interpreter died of acute poisoning just a few months before the premiere, on January 22, 2008 in his New York apartment. An accidental death resulting from the deadly combination of six medicated drugs, including painkillers, sleeping pills and anxiolytics. He was survived by his daughter, Matilda Ledger, as well as his partner, actress Michelle Williams.

More posthumous nominations

Like Ledger, other performers competed for the golden statuette after he passed away. The most recent, Chadwick Boseman, known for giving life to the superhero Black Panther in Marvel Studios movies. In August 2020, he passed away from colorectal cancer. Months later, he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of trumpeter Leevee Green in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” though he lost to Anthony Hopkins.

Who did win the posthumous nomination was Peter Finch, for the lead in the film “Power That Kills” (“Network”). The 60-year-old actor lost his life from a cardiac arrest in the lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, January 1977. Two months later, the Academy dedicated the award to him, beating 30-something Robert De Niro (“Taxi Driver” ) and Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky”).

Another posthumous winner was Walt Disney, founder of the entertainment empire, who received 31 statuettes during his lifetime. Number 32 was for a Winnie the Pooh short, but he would not know of this as he died months before. He had cancer.