Touching Tributes Paid to Heath Ledger by Chris Nolan and Daniel Day-Lewis

When Heath Ledger passed away unexpectedly, his death attracted attention from the media, fans, and from his colleagues in the film-making industry. Ledger had recently completed filming the role of the Joker in Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins. Chris Nolan, in Newsweek, shared his thoughts about the actor.

Nolan described Ledger as having "real charisma - as invisible and natural as gravity." He also says that Ledger was "bursting with creativity. It was in his every gesture." Nolan relates the fact that Ledger "once told me that he liked to wait between jobs until he was creatively hungry. Until he needed it again. He brought that attitude to our set every day. There aren't many actors who can make you feel ashamed of how often you complain about doing the best job in the world. Heath was one of them."

To read all of Nolan's reflections about Heath Ledger Click Here!

On a related note, at the Screen Actors Guild award ceremony, Daniel Day-Lewis was awarded the Actor for his role in There Will Be Blood. At the ceremony, Day-Lewis dedicated his award to Heath Ledger - an actor he had never personally worked with.

Watch below to see video of Daniel Day-Lewis making his dedication.



Sources: People, Newsweek

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Comments (29)

  1. Splatter2010

    Daniel Day-Lewis is truly a stand up guy.... straight from the heart. I was touched.... a great way to pay homage to Heath. Much respect to Day-Lewis.

    4 years agoby @mindscapeFlag

  2. Marcusx

    the looks on everyones faces...they truly respected him..they really did show their feelings with their expressions...RIP

    4 years agoby @marcusxFlag

  3. THE JOKER

    very nice of him to do. i agree with you it was definitely something that everyone in the room was feeling at the time.

    4 years agoby @mcleve02Flag

  4. LarveeK

    That was such a lovely and very touching speech Daniel gave, i got teary eyed watching it too. He's amazing and compassionate as an actor and i wish him all the love for what he gives to others!

    4 years agoby @larveekFlag

  5. incmob

    To stay on topic of this posting, i agree with most of you that this was a very endearing and thoughtful thing for someone to do and acknowledge the strength that one can do for another. It was a very unselfish speech and through an evening of personal achievements i think daniel day lewis said what alot of people might have been feeling in the room. it was very moving and my hats off to the man for doing it.

    4 years agoby @incmobFlag

  6. Bananaz

    does it look like daniel day lewis is trying to look like he could play the Joker in the next batman movie?

    look dosen't he?

    4 years agoby @bananazFlag

  7. Clockworkcookie

    look, don't you think it's disrespectful to have this discussion HERE and NOW?

    4 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag

  8. CelluloidDreams

    Heath more popular....mabey!! I give that credit since from 2000 to 2005, he starred in "The Patriot", "Monster's Ball", "A Knight's Tale", "The Four Feathers", "Ned Kelly", "The Order", and "The Brothers Grimm", & well most of these films were "MAIN STREAM", had more A list Co-Stars to carry th film as well as some good directors!!
    These films went to all Multi Plexes, Unlike Most of Brad's films later in life were more Art-House & played at lesser known theaters, or went straight to DVD after being only in certain theaters like LA or NY, For example "Bully" & "Telling Lies in America" & "Tart"! Other films Brad did, like "Ghost World" or "Skipped Parts" again were only placed in Art House theaters & rarley saw the light of day at a bigger multi-plex!

    Heath had talent when he had the right role "Monsters Ball" for example, but some films like "The Order" or "Four Feathers" were just laughable, and a mess!

    4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  9. Clockworkcookie

    I'm sorry about Brad but it's as simple as K-Man put it, Heath Ledger was simply more talented and more popular, it's only natural his death was more shocking. I mean honestly. The simple fact that an acting god like Daniel Day Lewis says Ledger's roles had a huge impact on him, just goes to show that Ledger was of rare talent and very influential.

    4 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag

  10. K-Man

    Oh my god! CelluloidDreams. LET IT GO! Brad Renfro was not half the actor Heath Ledger was. Sorry man but its a fact. Most people dont even know who the hell he is. EVERYONE knew who Heath was.....EVERYONE! Thats why its been more publicized.
    The only roles that you can pinpoint Brad Renfro in with a Semi-successful movie was The Client and Apt. Pupil. Thats it! Both of which were made around 10 years ago. Heath was in dozens of movies, not all of them were great, but almost all were well known.
    But in terms of talent you cannot even compare the two.
    Its tragic that both passed away but stop posting (in every single Heath Ledger tribute page) that your pissed about them not mentioning Brad. Make your own webpage dedicated to Brad is your so upset over it.

    4 years agoby @k-manFlag

  11. CelluloidDreams

    What about Brad Renfro he made better films than Heath Ledger! I'm sorry he did! Spend a night, rent several Brad films & Heath films, & look at the two!The only reason people care about Heath and make such a hullabaloo is 1) he was is in a very Over-Rated film called "Brokeback Mountain" which garned him an Oscar Nomination & 2) he will star in the new Batman film "Dark Night"! Most of Heath's films were mediocre & forgettable!!

    The only 3 films of Heath's I ever liked were: "Monster's Ball", "Candy" & "I'm Not There"!

    Heath has about 23 acting credits to his resume, & Brad Renfro has about 26!!

    4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  12. ImmortalFury

    hey does anyone know if christian bale has made comments regarding Heaths death?

    4 years agoby @immortalfuryFlag

  13. Clockworkcookie

    god that was a beautiful speech, it brought tears to my eyes..

    4 years agoby @clockworkcookieFlag

  14. ed_wood

    Very touching.

    4 years agoby @ed-woodFlag

  15. 4weston7

    Very nice thing to do.

    4 years agoby @4weston7Flag

  16. Brian

    Celluloid. Give up on Brad Renfro. Very sad he died, but in Hollywood my friend, the guy didn't hold a candle to what Ledger brought, and is still bringing to the screen.

    4 years agoby @brianFlag

  17. Space101

    Great memories from Chris Nolan, heart warming thoughts from Daniel-Day Lewis...

    4 years agoby @space101Flag

  18. T.Clark

    Very nice. From the heart.

    4 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  19. Aaron

    touching. DDL is the man.

    4 years agoby @bansheeFlag

  20. PUNISHER

    Thats awesome.

    4 years agoby @cerealkillerFlag

  21. Phatlightning

    class, pure class

    4 years agoby @sxers2k1Flag

  22. CelluloidDreams

    Nice tribute Paid to Heath Ledger by Daniel Day-Lewis!! Daniel Day-Lewis is in a class all by himself!

    Buuuuuttttt what about Brad Renfro!! It's like this actor didn't exist at all!!!

    4 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  23. killahmovie24

    A Wonderful Tribute Daniel Day Lewis is the One of the BEST hands down

    4 years agoby @killahmovie24Flag

  24. thelord3003

    It's sad that Heath did not see the final cut of the film. Can't wait for the Dark Knight!!!

    4 years agoby @thelord3003Flag

  25. Ethlenn

    It was nice. Hope Mr Ledger will be remembered much longer than a sad week after he passed away.

    4 years agoby @ethlennFlag

  26. Brian

    Hell yes he. One of the greatest of this generation.

    4 years agoby @brianFlag

  27. Shenanigans

    daniel day lewis is one THE best, classiest actors of our generation.

    4 years agoby @kmm1482Flag

  28. THE JOKER

    very cool. Everyone knew he was a superb actor and perso. Heath deserves the best. Heath you are the man. RIP

    4 years agoby @mcleve02Flag

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