Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in a Manhattan apartment this afternoon, according to New York City police.
The New York Times reports that a housekeeper and masseuse found Ledger unconscious on a bed, with sleeping pills — both prescription and nonprescription — on a night table. The NY Times reports that police do not suspect foul play. Ledger was 28.
Ledger was the star of Brokeback Mountain — a film seen by many critics as a breakthrough for mainstream gay cinema. The movie told the story of two young men who fell in love while sheepherding in Wyoming in the 1960s.
“It happened to be the most beautiful screenplay I ever read,” Ledger said of Brokeback Mountain. “I find there’s not a lot of mystery left in stories between guys and girls — it’s all been done or seen before.”
Ledger was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe award for his role in the film.
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Heath Ledger, actor, is found dead at 28 — The New York Times, Jan 22
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