Who Is Heath Ledger? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Heath Ledger was born on April 4, 1979. The talented Australian actor made a significant mark in the film industry before his untimely passing in January 2008. His versatile performances in films such as Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight, and 10 Things I Hate About You established him as a formidable talent. Ledger's impact on Hollywood remains profound, with many fans and critics lauding his remarkable contributions to cinema.
As of 2025, Heath Ledger would have been 46 years old. His legacy continues to inspire upcoming actors and captivates audiences worldwide.
| Occupation | Directors |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1979 |
| Age | 28 Years |
| Birth Place | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Australia |
| Date of death | 22 January, 2008 |
| Died Place | New York City, US |
Popularity
Heath Ledger's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Heath Ledger was known for his rugged good looks and charisma. He stood at a height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm) and weighed around 180 pounds (82 kg) during his active years. His physical attributes complemented his diverse roles, allowing him to seamlessly transition between intense dramatic performances and lighter, romantic characters.
Ledger had aspirations to become a film director and had made some music videos with his production company The Masses, which director Todd Haynes praised highly in his tribute to Ledger upon accepting the ISP Robert Altman Award, which Ledger posthumously shared, on 23 February 2008.
In 2006, Ledger directed music videos for the title track on Australian hip hop artist N'fa's CD debut solo album Cause An Effect and for the single "Seduction Is Evil (She's Hot)". Later that year, Ledger inaugurated a new record label, The Masses Music, with singer Ben Harper and also directed a music video for Harper's song "Morning Yearning".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Heath Ledger came from a close-knit family. He was survived by his beloved daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger, whom he shares with actress [Michelle Williams](/michelle-williams-actress). Their relationship was famously private, yet they were known to have a deep bond.
During his life, Ledger had notable relationships, including a romance with actress Naomi Watts and an extended partnership with [Michelle Williams](/michelle-williams-actress). As of 2025, any updates on his family or potential romantic involvements would be speculative, honoring his memory rather than suggesting any ongoing relationships.
The Sir Frank Ledger Charitable Trust is named after his great-grandfather Frank Ledger. He had English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. Ledger attended Mary's Mount Primary School in Gooseberry Hill, and later Guildford Grammar School, where he had his first acting experiences, starring in a school production as Peter Pan at age ten.
His parents separated when he was ten and divorced when he was eleven.
Ledger's older sister Kate, an actress and later a publicist, with whom he was very close, inspired his acting on stage; and his love of Gene Kelly inspired his successful choreography, leading to Guildford Grammar's 60-member team's "first all-boy victory" at the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.
Ledger's two half-sisters are Ashleigh Bell (born 1990), his mother's daughter with her second husband Roger Bell; and Olivia Ledger (born 1996), his father's daughter with his second wife Emma Brown.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2008, Heath Ledger had an estimated net worth of $16 million. His legacy continues to generate income through posthumous releases and merchandise associated with his work. With critical acclaim and box office success, especially after his posthumous Oscar win for The Dark Knight, his financial value in the entertainment industry remains significant today.
Ledger's death affected the marketing campaign for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008) and also both the production and marketing of Terry Gilliam's film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, with both directors intending to celebrate and pay tribute to his work in these films.
Although Gilliam temporarily suspended production on the latter film, he expressed determination to "salvage" it, perhaps using computer-generated imagery (CGI), and dedicated it to Ledger.
In February 2008, as a "memorial tribute to the man many have called one of the best actors of his generation," Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell signed on to take over Ledger's role, becoming multiple incarnations of his character, Tony, transformed in this "magical re-telling of the Faust story".
The three actors donated their fees for the film to Ledger's and Williams's daughter.
Career, Business, and Investments
Heath Ledger's career skyrocketed in the late 1990s and early 2000s with films that showcased his acting prowess. His performance in Brokeback Mountain garnered him Academy Award nominations, while his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight solidified him as a cinematic icon.
Beyond acting, Ledger ventured into directing and producing, showcasing his multifaceted talent. He was involved in several projects, including Candy and Two Hands, which received both critical and commercial acclaim. While he didn't have extensive business ventures or investments publicly documented, his estate is managed to ensure financial sustainability for his daughter and family.
Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008) was an Australian actor. After playing roles in several Australian television and film productions during the 1990s, he moved to the United States in 1998 to further develop his film career.
His work consisted of 20 films in a variety of genres, including 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Patriot (2000), A Knight's Tale (2001), Monster's Ball (2001), Casanova (2005), Lords of Dogtown (2005), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Candy (2006), I'm Not There (2007), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), the la
tter two of which were posthumously released.
He also produced and directed music videos and aspired to be a film director.
Social Network
In today’s digital age, if Heath Ledger were alive in 2025, it’s likely he would have embraced social media to connect with fans. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter would offer insights into his personal life and professional projects, allowing fans to engage with him more directly. Although Ledger did not use social networks during his lifetime, his iconic status has resulted in numerous fan pages and accounts celebrating his work and contributions to film.
Ledger received "Best Actor of 2005" awards from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, in which he plays Wyoming ranch hand Ennis Del Mar, who has a love affair with aspiring rodeo rider Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal.
He also received the nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor — Motion Picture Drama, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and an Academy Award for Best Actor for this performance, making him, at age 26, the eighth-youngest nominee in
the category.
In The New York Times review of the film, critic Stephen Holden writes: "Both Mr. Ledger and Mr. Gyllenhaal make this anguished love story physically palpable. Mr. Ledger magically and mysteriously disappears beneath the skin of his lean, sinewy character.
It is a great screen performance, as good as the best of Marlon Brando and Sean Penn." In a review in Rolling Stone, Peter Travers states: "Ledger's magnificent performance is an acting miracle. He seems to tear it from his insides. Ledger doesn't just know how Ennis moves, speaks and listens; he knows how he breathes.
To see him inhale the scent of a shirt hanging in Jack's closet is to take measure of the pain of love lost."
Education
Heath Ledger attended Mary’s Mount Primary School and later went to Guildford Grammar School in Perth. He had a passion for acting from a young age and pursued his dreams by participating in various local stage productions, which eventually led him to pursue a full-time acting career in Australia before moving to Hollywood.
After attending private memorial ceremonies in Los Angeles, Ledger's family members returned with his body to Perth.
On 9 February, a memorial service attended by several hundred invited guests was held at Penrhos College, attracting considerable press attention; afterward Ledger's body was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery, followed by a private service attended by only 10 of his closest family members, The ashes were taken from Fremantle for interment at an unspe
cified location.
Later that night, his family and friends gathered for a wake on Cottesloe Beach.
