One of Australia’s finest…

Aussie cinema has truly produced some incredible talent over the years, with local talent like Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, and countless more going from the small screen in your usual Aussie soaps to becoming some of the most in demand and electrifying actors in the world. It’s an age old story, rise up through the Aussie film industry, hop a flight to LA, then grind and grind until you catch your big break. Although countless Aussie actors have done this (and incredibly well I might add), perhaps none did it as well and as interestingly as Perth born Heath Ledger.

At the tender age of 28 he had already compiled a filmography that rivalled some of Hollywoods most seasoned actors, with performances that ranged from your typical dashing leading man in films like 10 Things I Hate About You to the maniacal joker in The Dark Knight. Always pushing himself artistically, from the start you could tell Heath had no intention of being a classic Hollywood heartthrob, and its safe to say he successfully outgrew that moniker, instead making a name for himself as one of the most diverse actors of his time.

With today being what would’ve been his 41st birthday, we thought we’d take a look back at the legacy of Heath Ledger, taking it back to some of his most iconic and interesting performances to see what it was that made him so special, to see the endless talent and charisma that have helped his performances stand the test of time 12 years on. Let’s dive in.

Home and Away

Okay, we can’t not mention Heath’s brief stint on Home and Away. A true launchpad for Aussie actors, from the get go you could tell the young 18 year-old was destined for a life on the screen, his portrayal of the high school bad boy Scott Irwin causing you to hate him, love him, and be ever so drawn to him. It’s safe to say Heath mastered that paradox, most notably with his portrayal of the Joker. But more of that later.

10 Things I Hate About You

Who doesn’t remember that gorgeous scene of Heath dancing on the grandstand whilst singing Frankie Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ to Julia Stiles’ character Kat? Evading two cops whilst managing to crack us all up and win back the woman of his dreams, if there was ever a more classic heartthrob moment, this was it. His performance in the teen comedy was incredibly nuanced, first causing us to fear and be repulsed by him, then be intrigued, then grow to absolutely love and adore him. He essentially stole the film in one of his first big Hollywood breaks, and life was never the same after. Also, we can’t not mention those mad vocals, if Heath didn’t go into cinema, he could’ve certainly had a long career in the music world.

The Patriot

To hold your own whilst starring opposite Mel Gibson is no mean feat, with Heath delivering a classic performance of a son desperate to make his father (played by Gibson) proud. His portrayal of Corporal Gabriel Martin was coloured with an honest vulnerability mixed with just a little bit of menace, as he seamlessly crossed between a young soldier just trying to stay alive to a total badass that you didn’t wanna meet on the battlefield. At a mere 21 years old, Heath was already starting to broaden his wings as an actor, and not even Gibson’s superstar aura could dampen his light.

A Knights Tale

Playing the role of a lowly squire desperate to change his stars and follow his feet, Heath perfectly captured that raw hunger one has to transcend their circumstances and forge their own path in life. Although roles like William in A Knights Tale can go from good to cheesy real quick, Heath brought a certain freshness and gravitas that you just can’t teach. It was totally inherent to Heath, and flavoured almost all of his performances on the big screen.

Monster’s Ball

I think it’s safe to say that Heath was always destined for far more than the role of the Hollywood heartthrob, and his performance in Monster’s Ball was a clear example of that. It showed the world that he was far more than his good lucks and bravado (even though that was already abundantly clear), but that he was an actor, first and foremost. His portrayal of the broken and unstable correctional office Sonny was absolutely heartbreaking, again playing a character that was yearning for his fathers love, but never quite able to attain it. His performance was so cathartic that even three time Academy Award winner Daniel Day Lewis pointed to it as being a performance that “regenerated” him and inspired him to get back into the “arena” one more time. And who can forget that haunting last scene of his in the film, with his spirit literally breaking right in front of us, slowly but surely causing tears to stream down the faces of all who watched.

Ned Kelly

If there was ever a film that reaffirmed Heath’s love for his home, this was it. His portrayal of one of Australia’s most notorious outlaws was overflowing with determination, moxie and nerve. He humanised a figure that we only have a brief idea about in Aussie culture, helping to add multiple layers of emotional depth to his struggle as we grew to become invested in his livelihood and struggle against authority. With Ned Kelly, Heath continued to prove he could do it all, from heartthrob to comedian to action star to historical figure. He was boundless in range, and Ned Kelly is a clear example of that.

Brokeback Mountain

By this time Heath had more than proven that he was a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, that he was a daring actor that could bring life to any role he took on. Yet, when he took on the role of Ennis in Brokeback Mountain, he had once again pushed the envelope the way only he could. It’s definitely fair to say that Brokeback Mountain was mired in controversy from the moment it was released, with audiences not used to seeing a film with two same sex lovers. But Heath and Jake Gyllenhaal truly transcended all of the expectations, stereotypes and pre-conceived notions already formed about the film. Their on screen chemistry was absolutely undeniable, with Heath giving an insane emotional depth to his performance as he played a conflicted lover that couldn’t accept himself for what he was. Another performance described by Daniel Day Lewis as “unique” and “perfect”, it’s no surprise it’s what got Heath his first Oscar Nom for ‘Best Actor’.

The Dark Knight

Ah I’ve been waiting for this one. Perhaps one of the greatest performances in cinematic history, what Heath Ledger achieved with the maniacal, anarchist and magnetic Joker was absolutely extraordinary. He stole every scene he was in, with everything from the voice, to the little tongue licks and and physicality being absolutely perfect. And even though we were supposed to hate and be repulsed by his character (and don’t get me wrong, we were), you couldn’t help but be drawn to him, absolutely savouring every minute of screen time he had. By the end of the film it was clear that Ledger had delivered a performance for the ages, a performance that to this day people still immediately bring up when talking incredible film performances. And who can forget the iconic interrogation scene, with the Joker spitting some scarily accurate home truths about society whilst psychologically torturing Batman. Fun fact: when they were doing this scene, Heath insisted that Christian Bale punch him for real, so as to make the performance as authentic as possible.

Sadly, Heath passed away before the film’s release and his win for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ at the Academy Awards, but it’s safe to say that his performance had truly won him the respect of everyone in Hollywood, with some of the worlds greatest talents visibly devastated by his passing, as seen in his family’s acceptance speech for his win.

It’s more than fair to say that Heath Ledger was one of the greatest actors to ever grace a screen, leaving behind a diverse array of performances that serve as a reminder of what you get when you mix god given talent with an insane work ethic. He left behind a collection of performances that have helped shine a light on the complexity of the human condition, and for that he’ll forever be remembered as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Happy 41st birthday Heath! You definitely changed your stars and followed your feet mate. We’ll never forget you…