In the wake of Heath Ledger's sudden death on Tuesday, some of his friends in the entertainment industry publicly mourned him.
Actress Cate Blanchett, who co-starred with Ledger in I'm Not There:
- "I deeply respect Heath’s work and always admired his continuing development as an artist. My thoughts are with his family and close friends."
Model Helena Christensen to Women's Wear Daily:
- "He was such a special and genuine person, so extraordinarily talented because he was so raw and honest with his feelings... He was so full of life, so electric."
Actor/director Mel Gibson, who starred in The Patriot with Ledger:
- "I had such great hope for him... He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
Singer Josh Groban at the Sundance Film Festival:
- "Heath was an actor who always amazed me — somebody I believed always had such life left in him."
Actor Lukas Haas, who was in Alpha Dog with Ledger, to FOX:
- "He truly was a great, great actor who I have known and admired for sometime... I am in total shock — it certainly has put a damper on the [Sundance Film] festival."
I'm Not There director Todd Haynes (this was the last film released starring Ledger prior to his death):
- "Ledger had a bit of James Dean in him and now Ledger, like Dean, has died young - just as he was trying to find his place in the film industry."
Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee in a statement:
- "Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life... He brought to the role of Ennis [Del Mar] more than any of us could have imagined – a thirst for life, for love, and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking."
Actress Nicole Kidman in a statement:
- "What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family."
Actor Josh Lucas at the Sundance Film Festival:
- "All I'll say is, I send total love to the family. It's too painful for me."
Actor/producer William H. Macy at the Sundance Film Festival:
- "It is so upsetting — it's a huge loss and my heart goes out to his wife and kid... I think great talent comes coupled with great demons."
Actress Rachel McAdams on her myspace page:
- "My heart goes out to Heath's family and friends during this time of great loss. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back and I can definitely say he had a wonderful career ahead of him. Undeniable talent and a loving new father. It's so tragic to see it all end so soon and sudden."
Actress Bijou Phillips at the Sundance Film Festival:
- "Brad Renfro also died this week, who I did three movies with... It's just crazy. Two young, really talented actors die in their sleep in the same week? It's just not cool. I don't know what's going on, but it's got to stop."
Actor Jason Ritter at the Sundance Film Festival:
- "He should be proud of the legacy he left behind... [Ledger] seemed to make acting choices with integrity; he didn't seem to just take the big movies with the big bucks. He took movies that challenged him as an actor, he did a fantastic job, and he seemed like a really great guy as well."
Actor Geoffrey Rush, who starred in Candy with Ledger:
- "This is such a sad event. I admired Heath enormously... He was such a sensitive and committed and daring actor. This is truly a tragedy. I send my condolences to his family and friends and colleagues."
Actress Charlize Theron to entertainment site ET.com
- "It's really, really sad. I hope his family is okay. I wish them the best."
Actor John Travolta at the G'day USA/Walk on the Wildside event:
- "He's touched me deeply as a talent and it's a great loss... Losing him at any age would be a loss but it was pretty rough news. I was really shocked by it... I would give back all my awards to have him back."
