When I heard the news this morning about Heath Ledger, my mind spiralled to an earlier moment in Hollywood history when River Phoenix died, albeit in a much more public fashion. Teenage girls everywhere walked their school hallways with bloodshot eyes, and books adorned with pictures of the heartthrob clutched tightly to their chests.
My friends and I raided the video stores for every River movie we could find that weekend, and held a marathon memorial to our teen-obsession. Never too old for a movie-star crush, I’ll be going through my dvds tonight to celebrate the too-short career of this talented young Aussie.
RIP Heath Ledger
Agreed. I remember being 10, maybe, when “10 Things I Hate About You” came out. I adored it, and I adored him. He was the most incredible actor and a remarkable advocate for Australia and Australian film. “The Dark Knight” will be his finest work, I think, but it’s a terrible shame he won’t be around to see the final result. RIP Heath.
I agree – it took me back to River Pheonix too. I was 18 when he died and really it was the first time one of my contemporaries (not that I knew him personally), someone that I’d grown up with and admired had died.
Kudos. No, double Kudos.
Peace Heath.