Elizabeth January 23rd, 2008
Heath Ledger is dead. It’s so unexpected, although so much has come to light over the past 12 hours about his recent personal struggles. It really goes to show how little we know about the private lives of celebrities, even in this age of blogging and instant “news”.
But whatever his state of mind, I find it hard to believe that there was anything deliberate or sinister about his death. He was sick with pneumonia when he died, had a history of sleeping difficulties, and was found with a bottle of sleeping pills on his nightstand. His death is all the more tragic because it appears to have been so accidental.
I’ve probably read a bit too much commentary on this news today, but it’s also been pretty hard to avoid. The whole situation is so sad, and I am truly sorry that we will never see his potential as an actor realised.

On a related note…
I’m normally pretty forgiving of Britney Spears and all her faults, but today I’m angry with her. A talented actor and father lost his life today because of one careless mistake, and as a result his little girl will never know him. Britney needs to get her shit together before her own two babies find themselves without a mother. I don’t care if it’s hard, or if rehabilitation takes time, this bullshit needs to end.
Amy Winehouse can screw up her life as much as she wants for all I care, as long as she doesn’t bring children into it. It’s time for Britney to realise that her life belongs to those little boys now. If she continues to make a joke of her messy life I will lose all respect for her. For good.
Maybe Britney’s state of mind is somewhat justified by the pressure placed on her by the media, but that doesn’t absolve her of responsibility to get it under control. She has the time and money to move out of LA and away from the cameras, to treat her addictions and to get professional help to manage her mental instability. All of this is achievable.
To do anything less is a slap in the face to people like little Matilda Ledger, and the other people that Heath has left behind.