ENTERTAINMENT

Remembering Heath Ledger: The 'Dark Knight' actor through the years

Pamela Avila
USA TODAY
It ' s been 14 years since " The Dark Knight " actor Heath Ledger died in 2008 of an accidental overdose at age 28 . April 4 marks what would have been his 43rd birthday. Scroll through to revisit the " 10 Things I Hate About You " actor ' s career through the years.
It's been 14 years since "The Dark Knight" actor Heath Ledger died in 2008 of an accidental overdose at age 28. April 4 marks what would have been his 43rd birthday. 

Scroll through to revisit the "10 Things I Hate About You" actor's career through the years.
Karin Catt
The young Australian actor captivated many with his iconic roles and will go down in history as one of the best to embody Gotham City ' s Joker onscreen.
The young Australian actor captivated many with his iconic roles and will go down in history as one of the best to embody Gotham City's Joker onscreen.
Carlo Allegri / Getty Images
But fans also remember Ledger as the heartthrob in 1999 ' s " 10 Things I Hate About You, " starring alongside Julia Stiles.
But fans also remember Ledger as the heartthrob in 1999's "10 Things I Hate About You," starring alongside Julia Stiles.
RICHARD CARTWRIGHT, TOUCHSTONE
Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan and Ledger in " 10 Things I Hate About You. " It ' s been more than two decades since the romantic comedy premiered, see where the rest of the cast is now .
Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan and Ledger in "10 Things I Hate About You." It's been more than two decades since the romantic comedy premiered, see where the rest of the cast is now.
RICHARD CARTWRIGHT, TOUCHSTONE
Ledger starred alongside Mel Gibson in the 2000 war/action film " The Patriot. "
Ledger starred alongside Mel Gibson in the 2000 war/action film "The Patriot."
ANDREW COOPER/SMPSP, COLUMBIA/TRISTAR
In 2001, Ledger starred alongside Shannyn Sossamon for " A Knight ' s Tale, " based on a story by English poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
In 2001, Ledger starred alongside Shannyn Sossamon for "A Knight's Tale," based on a story by English poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
Columbia Pictures
A still from " A Knight ' s Tale " featuring Ledger.
A still from "A Knight's Tale" featuring Ledger.
In 2005, Ledger starred in " The Brothers Grimm, " Hollywood ' s take on the fairy tale writers and their work. The actor appeared alongside Matt Damon, Monica Belluci, Lena Headey in the film directed by Terry Gilliam.
In 2005, Ledger starred in "The Brothers Grimm," Hollywood's take on the fairy tale writers and their work. The actor appeared alongside Matt Damon, Monica Belluci, Lena Headey in the film directed by Terry Gilliam.
Francois Duhamel / Dimension Films
That same year, Ledger starred as Ennis Del Mar in " Brokeback Mountain " alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
That same year, Ledger starred as Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain" alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
UGC PH/PATHE DISTRIBUTION, AFP/GETTY IMAGES
In 2020, " Brokeback Mountain " turned 15 and USA TODAY explored why the film still resonates a decade later , as a universal love story and LGBTQ triumph.
In 2020, "Brokeback Mountain" turned 15 and USA TODAY explored why the film still resonates a decade later, as a universal love story and LGBTQ triumph.
KIMBERLEY FRENCH/FOCUS FEATURES
The film ' s closeted gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar was a career-defining role for the actor , who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance, as did his co-star and partner at the time, Michelle Williams. " Brokeback Mountain " director Ang Lee remembers their relationship blossoming on set in summer 2004, with Ledger holding Williams ' hand all the way to the hospital after she twisted her knee on the first day of shooting.
The film's closeted gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar was a career-defining role for the actor, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance, as did his co-star and partner at the time, Michelle Williams. "Brokeback Mountain" director Ang Lee remembers their relationship blossoming on set in summer 2004, with Ledger holding Williams' hand all the way to the hospital after she twisted her knee on the first day of shooting.
Kimberley French, Focus Features
Ledger and Williams began dating shortly thereafter and welcomed daughter Matilda Rose in October 2005.
Ledger and Williams began dating shortly thereafter and welcomed daughter Matilda Rose in October 2005.
AP
At the time of his death in 2008, Ledger had completed about half of the work for what would become his final performance as Tony in Terry Gilliam ' s " The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. "
At the time of his death in 2008, Ledger had completed about half of the work for what would become his final performance as Tony in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."
Liam Daniel, Sony Pictures Classics
Williams and Ledger are pictured here at the 78th annual Academy Awards in 2006. In 2009, the late actor was named best supporting actor at the Academy Awards for his work in " The Dark Knight. "
Williams and Ledger are pictured here at the 78th annual Academy Awards in 2006. In 2009, the late actor was named best supporting actor at the Academy Awards for his work in "The Dark Knight."
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Ledger starred in " The Dark Knight " in 2008.
Ledger starred in "The Dark Knight" in 2008.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros.
Ledger appeared in " The Dark Knight " alongside Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Ledger appeared in "The Dark Knight" alongside Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros.
Heath Ledger as the Joker in " The Dark Knight. "
Heath Ledger as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."
Courtesy Of Warner Bros.