One Year Since Heath Ledger died from Drug Overdose
January 22nd was the first anniversary of the death of Heath Ledger, the Australian actor who whose life was cut tragically short after an apparent drug overdose.The rising star had made nineteen films before his death and received Oscar nominations for his role in Brokeback Mountain (2005) and, posthumously, The Dark Knight (2008).Like River Phoenix half a generation ago, Ledger was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s greatest young actors before his career was abruptly ended by drugs.An autopsy on Ledger’s body found that he had consumed a medley of prescription medications including oxycodone and diazepam.Nobody will ever know the extent of Ledger’s drug problem, except that it cost him his life. Sadly, one of the finest actors of this generation will never reach his potential because, like so many other celebrities before him, he never had the chance to overcome his problem through a successful drug rehab program or other forms of treatment.
