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Born Heathcliff Andrew Ledger in Perth, Australia to Sally and Kim Ledger. He is named after the character in Wuthering Heights.
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He enrolls in Guildford Grammar School.
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His parents divorce.
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He is part of the Kalamunda Field Hockey team of which his father is president.
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His aunt dies of lung cancer, an event he says changed his outlook on life.
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At 16, he graduates high school early in order to become an actor and moves to Sydney with his friend Trevor DiCarlo.
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He joins the Globe Shakespeare Company in Perth, Australia.
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Portrays a gay cyclist in the Australian TV series, Sweat.
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He stars in the Fox drama, Roar, and begins dating co-star Lisa Zane. The series lasts for one season.
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Makes his film debut in Blackrock, an Australian film.
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Stars in an Australian film, Two Hands.
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Stars in The Patriot with Mel Gibson and does his own stunts. He was chosen for the part because the producers and director said that he possessed "exuberant youth."
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He begins dating actress Heather Graham.
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Portrays peasant squire William Thatcher in A Knight's Tale. The film, directed by Brian Helgeland, also stars Shannyn Sossamon and Mark Addy. During filming, one of director Brian Helgeland's front teeth is poked out by a broomstick that Heath is holding while demonstrating a jousting move.
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He and Heather Graham break up.
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Stars in Monster's Ball with Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton. He plays Sonny Grotowsky, the son of Thornton's character.
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Meets Naomi Watts on the set of Australian film Ned Kelly and the two begin dating
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Stars in The Four Feathers alongside Kate Hudson.
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Ned Kelly is released, starring Ledger, Orlando Bloom and Naomi Watts. The film is based on the book Our Sunshine by Robert Drewe.
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Australian GQ names him one of their Men of the Year for acting.
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Stars in The Order alongside Shannyn Sossamon and Mark Addy. The film is written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who also directed the trio in A Knight's Tale.
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Ledger's sister and publicist says in a statement that Ledger and Watts have broken up: "Heath Ledger and Naomi Watts have made the decision to go their separate ways. At this time in their lives both are busy pursuing careers which are taking them in different directions. They remain close friends."
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Meets actress Michelle Williams on the set of Brokeback Mountain and the two become an item. He says, "She's my soul mate and we couldn't love each other any more than we do already. We're like two peas in a pod."
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Stars in Lords of Dogtown.
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Stars in The Brothers Grimm directed by Terry Gilliam and co-starring Matt Damon.
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He throws eggs at some paparazzi.
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Brokeback Mountain is released, directed by Ang Lee and based on the short story by E. Annie Proulx. The movie also stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams.
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Michelle Williams gives birth in New York City to their daughter, Matilda Rose. He says, "Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous."
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Stars in Casanova alongside Sienna Miller and Jeremy Irons. The film is directed by Lasse Hallstrom and is based on the life of Giacomo Casanova.
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Ledger giggles nervously and holds his hand in a "teacup" position while presenting onstage with Jake Gyllenhaal at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG). The Los Angeles Times refers to his odd performance as "some kind of gay spoof." Ledger tells the Times: "I am so sorry and I apologise for my nervousness. I would be absolutely horrified if my stage fright was misinterpreted as a lack of respect for the film, the topic and for the amazing filmmakers." He also explains the "teacup hand" positio
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Production begins on I'm Not There, inspired by the life of Bob Dylan
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US Weekly reports that Ledger and Williams' relationship has come to an end, though the couple does not confirm it.
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At a news conference at the Venice Film Festival promoting I'm Not There, Ledger speaks about his "obsession" with English singer/songwriter Nick Drake, whom he calls "a very mysterious figure." Drake committed suicide in 1974 at the age of 26 by overdosing on antidepressants. Ledger says: "I was obsessed with his story and his music and I pursued it for a while and still have hopes to kind of tell his story one day."
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Michelle Williams' father Larry tells the Sydney Daily Telegraph that his daughter and Ledger have split, confirming the US Weekly report.
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I'm Not There is shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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Ledger tells the New York Times that his version of the Joker is a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy". He says he lived alone in a hotel room for a month in order to prepare for the role and that his Joker is inspired in part by Sid Vicious and A Clockwork Orange.
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The Daily Telegraph reports that Ledger is dating Gemma Ward. The pair are both from Perth, Australia and the report states that they spent the New Year's holidays there together while visiting their respective families.
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Ledger is found dead in his Manhattan apartment. A bottle of sleeping pills is found on the nightstand and he is reported to have been suffering from pneumonia. The media swirls with rumors of previous drug abuse problems. Officials declare the death a probable accidental overdose rather than foul play or suicide, though an investigation is still ongoing.
