Heath Ledger was brought into this world in Subiaco Hospital located in Perth, Australia on April 4, 1979. While attending Guildford Grammer, a private all-boys school, Heath concentrated mainly on drama and sports in school. When finally asked to choose between the two, he picked drama and has been successful in his choice ever since.
Heath started his career in the Globe Shakespeare Company. He worked in the theatre, starring in such plays as "Peter Pan" and "Bugsy Malone."
He has starred in a popular Australian tv series, "Sweat," playing the controversial role of a 17-year old cyclist who discovers he is gay. Heath made his American debut in Fox's television series "Roar," which was filmed in Australia. He starred in "Black Rock," which was nominated for Australia's Best Picture. After starring in "Two Hands, " he appeared in Touchstone Picture's "10 Things I Hate About You," a modern remake of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
Currently, Heath can be seen in the new feature film, "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson, and has currently finished the fantasy feature "A Knight's Tale," for Columbia Pictures.
North Americans have always been suckers for accents. Whether it be British, French or Australian, they add an extra layer of sex appeal for us. Aussie heartthrob Heath Ledger has begun his American crusade, and he's already melting the hearts of U.S. audiences with his resonant voice and dark good looks.
Born April 4th, 1979 in Perth, Australia, Heath first made it big in his native country before making his move to Los Angeles, California a few years ago. He appeared in several Australian films as well as in theater productions and television series.
American fans first were introduced to Heath on the television series Roar. The show was a period piece, meant to capitalize off of the success of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. Heath played Conor, a Celtic prince with a destiny. The show caught on with younger audiences, who found the young heartthrob irresistible. However, the Nielsens did not, and the show was canceled due to poor ratings.
Ledger would next appear on Sweat, a short-lived primetime drama about young athletes in training. Playing a gay cyclist, Ledger attempted to branch out into a more serious dramatic area. Unfortunately, the show did not catch on with audiences and quickly disappeared.
Obviously Heath did not get off to the best of starts in America. Fortunately, he had captured the attention of teenagers, and websites began to spring up. It was only a matter of time until he got his break. The break came in 1999, with the release of 10 Things I Hate About You. The comedy, an update of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, was the sleeper hit of the spring.
Finally, Heath seems to be ready for the same success States-Side which he has experienced at home.
Q U I C K F A C T S
Name: Heath Andrew Ledger
Birthplace: Perth, W. Australia
Date of Birth: April 4, 1979
Height: 6'2
Parents: Sally and Kim
Siblings: Kate, Olivia, and Ashley
F A V O R I T E S
Sports: Cricket, Field Hockey
Hobbies: Tennis, snowboarding, surfing, writing poetry, photography, horsebackriding
Bands: U2, Powderfinger, Spiderbait, Beck
Films: 2001, Children of Paradise, The Pirate, DeerHunter
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Katherine Hepburn, Meryl Streep
Directors: Peter Weir, Bob Fosse, Stanley Kubrick
You can contact Heath at:
Heath Ledger
c/o PL PR
8455 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA 90048
Heath Ledger
c/o CAA
9830 Wilshire Blvd,
Beverly Hills,
CA 90210
