1979 – 2008

“I am shocked and very saddened by the news.  I deeply respect Heath’s work and always admired his continuing development as an artist.  My thoughts are with his family and close friends.”  Cate Blanchett "This is such a sad event. I admired Heath enormously.  He was such a sensitive and committed and daring actor. This is truly a tragedy."  Geoffrey Rush "Heath was one of the greatest actors of his generation and was far from being a victim of the fame machine.  Heath was an intensely private but intensely loving human being – a complex mixture of shyness and gregariousness. He was a young man with an incalculable number of great performances waiting to be created." Neil Armford, who directed Ledger in "Candy" "I am just beyond sad at this point and shocked.  I was on my way over to pay him a visit when I found out.  I had just left him a message and heard his voice on the machine.  He was such a special and genuine person, so extraordinarily talented because he was so raw and honest with his feelings.  He was so full of life, so electric…. This is immensely sad."  Model Helena Christensen, who dated Ledger 

"I had such great hope for him.  He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."  Mel Gibson"What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family."  Nicole Kidman"It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation's finest actors in the prime of his life."  Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd"Heath Ledger was a courageous actor, and a great soul. He gave us the gift of sharing his fearless and beautiful love — of his craft, and of all who worked with him — for which all of us will be eternally grateful."  James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features and producer of "Brokeback Mountain"

Source = Telegraph UK and UPI and news.com.  Picture source = Getty Images.  UHQ of the banner pic here.