When Australian actor Heath Ledger died in 2008, his career was at its peak. He had recently finished filming The Dark Knight, and while the world didn’t know it yet, his performance as the Joker proved once and for all that this “pretty boy” had serious talent. He was being offered bigger and more prolific acting roles, he was making strides as a director, he had a daughter, and he was living in a beautiful loft apartment in Manhattan. Behind those shining lights and fancy parties, Ledger was also a man struggling with insomnia and anxiety. While we remember his life based on his roles in film, Heath Ledger quotes reveal what was really going on behind that handsome face.
Ledger started acting at a young age.
While attending school in Perth, the young Heath Ledger had to decide between cooking and drama as a school elective. He chose drama, and that decision eventually snowballed into a successful career.
When he was 17, Ledger took a risk and moved to Sydney. He had no money or connections, but he was determined to find success. While his good looks often got him in the door, his first few acting jobs consisted of small, forgettable roles in unprofitable productions. In 1999, however, he earned the lead in the crime thriller, Two Hands. The movie was a hit, and his outstanding performance opened the door to an even bigger opportunity.
Ledger was cast as the misunderstood bad boy in 10 Things I Hate About You, and it launched his career.
Always refusing to be typecast as the “pretty boy” Ledger made a point to accept character roles that stood out. From The Patriot to Brokeback Mountain, he continued to impress.
While his career took off, Ledger often admitted to suffering from sleeping problems and near-crippling anxiety. When his housekeeper and massage therapist found him unconscious on January 22, 2008, there were bottles of prescription sleeping pills and anxiety medication nearby. His death was ruled an accidental overdose, and his promising life was cut short. Now we look back on Heath Ledger quotes to keep his legacy alive.
We hope you enjoy this collection of Heath Ledger quotes from the late actor who was gone way too soon…
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“If you make decisions based upon people’s reactions or judgments then you make really boring choices.”
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“I am not a public speaker and never will be.”
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“It’s rare that there’s a role that requires an Australian accent.”
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“When I first started acting, I was just crap.”
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“Anyone that has a job that takes them away from home, I think, can understand the difficulties in maintaining consistency, not only with your family and those you love but with your friends.”
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“Smile, because it confuses people. Smile, because it’s easier than explaining what is killing you inside.” — Heath Ledger as the Joker, The Dark Knight
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“In a way, I was spoon-fed, if you will, a career. It was fully manufactured by a studio that believed that they could put me on their posters and turn me into their bottle of Coca-Cola, their product.”
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“It’s kind of a rule of thumb for me to self-doubt going into any kind of project. I always think that I shouldn’t be doing it and I don’t know how to do it and I’m going to fail and that I fooled them. I always try to find a way out.”
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“The reason that you dance and sing is to make the audience feel like they’re dancing and singing. As long as you’re having fun with it and giving it 100 percent, they’re gonna feel that.”
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“I’m happy without money.”
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“I generally don’t think most situations can be labeled as black or white.”
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“I don’t feel like I have anything to lose, so I don’t really understand what I’m putting at risk.”
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“I never want to feel like I’ve achieved my goal. It’s like Chinese farmers. They never admit that it’s a good season. They feel like they’ll be punished.”
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“In my opinion, New York City police officers are brave.”
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“Don’t let anyone ever make you feel you don’t deserve what you want.”
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“I apologize for my terrible interview skills.”
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“I’m still a kid. I’m like six years old. But it’s just a matter of wanting to get up, it’s just a big journey. I felt like when I left home that I was on a journey, and I still am.”
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“They laugh at me because I’m different. I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” — Heath Ledger, Joker, The Dark Knight
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“You know, I’m not in a hurry, and everybody else in Hollywood – particularly agents and managers – they’re all in a hurry.”
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“I’m not good at future planning. I don’t plan at all. I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow. I don’t have a day planner and I don’t have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.”
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“I want to do theatre. I love theatre.”
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“If you’re just safe about the choices you make, you don’t grow.”
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“I never took an acting class, so I’ve made all my mistakes on film.”
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“It can be a little distressing to have to overintellectualize yourself.”
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“I’m just not one of those naturally funny, relaxed actors who enjoy the spotlight and are so good at it.”
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“I’m in control of my life, not anyone in Hollywood.”
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“You learn more about yourself through your child, I guess.”
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“I feel like I’m wasting time if I repeat myself.”
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“I only do this because I’m having fun. The day I stop having fun, I’ll just walk away.”
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“I like to do something I fear.”
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“In order not to hold a frame with someone, you have to be intimidated by them.”
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“I like to set up obstacles and defeat them.”
We hope you enjoyed this collection of Heath Ledger quotes. If you know someone else who is a fan of the late and great actor, don’t forget to share.
