When the news broke in 2008 that Heath Ledger had died, it left the entire entertainment world thunderstruck. At the age of 28, Ledger was still really only just at the start of his professional acting career, but he had quickly made a name for himself as a captivating performer and was on the verge of superstar status. Even though that was almost 20 years ago, it’s still shocking for fans to reckon with, and it’s even harder for those who were closer to and worked with him.

Paul Bettany is one of those people, having co-starred with Ledger in the 2001 period film A Knight’s Tale, and he reflected on his relationship with the actor in a 25th anniversary piece about the film published by The Guardian. The two actors worked extensively together in the making of the movie, Ledger as aspiring jousting champion William Thatcher and Bettany as his hype man Geoffrey Chaucer, and the latter can still recall the special energy that the Australian star possessed (even though he can’t actually rewatch the movie):

Despite not even being in his 30s yet at the time he died, Heath Ledger had built a special career for himself including a number of memorable performances. He became a favorite among young audiences thanks to both A Knight’s Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You, but those movies came just a few years before he earned his first Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain. He posthumously won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2009 for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and like Bettany, many have wondered about where his incredible potential could have taken him in his career as an artist.

The “darkness” in Ledger’s reputation that Paul Bettany references stems from how the actor died – an accidental overdose of prescription drugs – but the man that Bettany remembers is one brimming with energy and confidence, which he illustrated beautifully with an anecdote:

That confidence is certainly apparent in his turn in A Knight’s Tale, which got mixed reviews and wasn’t a massive box office hit when it was released but has developed a cult audience among nostalgic millennials (who love it as a romantic comedy and the great cast including Alan Tudyk, Rufus Sewll and Shannyn Sossamon, in addition to Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany). If you’ve never seen it, it’s a charming movie worth hunting down: it’s not currently available on any major subscription streaming service, but it is available widely for digital purchase and/or rental, and physical media collectors can easily find it on Blu-ray.

When the 2026 Oscar nominations were announced last week, Jacob Elordi made the list for his incredible performance as The Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. While we wait to learn who will win in the Best Supporting Actor category and so forth during the 98th Academy Awards in March, Elordi shared the sweet way the late Heath Ledger inspired him to aspire to the Hollywood stars.

Jacob Elordi is a huge fan of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight (which made it at No. 2 in our best movies of the 2000s list) frequently citing the movie as a formative experience in his life and a “masterpiece.” So when he turned up on Jimmy Kimmel Live following the Oscar milestone, he had this to say about the honor:

A lot of Hollywood actors like to brush off the Academy Awards as no big deal, but Jacob Elordi got honest about his enthusiasm for the honor on the late night talk show. As he continued:

Whoa, that’s pretty wild! It’s true. Heath Ledger died at the age of 28 years old on January 22, 2008, and Jacob Elordi got nominated for Frankenstein on January 22 of this year. Ledger famously was nominated posthumously in the same category as Elordi for his role of The Joker in The Dark Knight on the one-year anniversary of his death, January 22, 2009, before earning the award during the ceremony a month later.

Ledger is clearly a hero of Elordi’s, so for them to have a distinct connection now must be pretty special. Plus, the roles that got them Oscar nominations and their career trajectories share some similar threads as well. Sadly, in Ledger’s case, his death was due to an accidental drug overdose of prescription medication.

Both of them earned their Oscar nominations in roles they did before they were 30, which is something that’s only happened a handful of times over the years. It required them to transform with the distinct work from their movie’s hair & makeup team, and both roles showed them transitioning out of teen heartthrob roles to more serious and layered genre roles. Elordi’s transformation into The Creature has earned him flirty reactions and a funny story from Oscar Isaac about the first time he saw him in the role.

Jacob Elordi is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category alongside Benecio del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Delroy Lindo for Sinners, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value. The 98th Oscars are on the 2026 TV schedule to happen on Sunday, March 15. You’ll be able to watch the show on ABC or with a Hulu subscription.

Long before The Dark Knight reshaped the new superhero movie landscape and became widely regarded as one of the best superhero movies of all time, Heath Ledger's casting as the Joker was met with widespread skepticism. Fans questioned if the actor, best known for romantic dramas and character-driven performances, could pull off one of DC’s most iconic villains. The doubt feels almost absurd looking back on it now, but at the time, it was a pretty common consensus. Well, turns out, the Brokeback Mountain lead was catching shade, although jokingly, from some of his own Dark Knight co-stars for landing the part of the clown prince of crime.

The castmate in question was David Dastmalchian, who played one of the Joker’s henchmen in Christopher Nolan’s film. In a wide-ranging interview with Collider, Dastmalchian reflected on his career in genre films and on working alongside Ledger during a pivotal moment in superhero movie history. According to the Late Night with the Devil star, when he first met the Brothers Grimm veteran performer on set, he couldn’t resist poking fun at the casting choice. He explained:

What makes the moment stand out isn’t just the honesty, but the Knight's Tale star's reaction. Rather than taking offense, he laughingly agreed, taking the jab in stride. That response speaks volumes about how seriously Ledger took the role and how aware he was of the expectations stacked against him. He didn’t approach the Joker with ego or defensiveness, but instead seemingly saw it as a career risk worth taking.

Dastmalchian’s broader comments paint the 10 Things I Hate About You actor as someone warm and intensely focused on the work. Despite being the clear centerpiece of the film, Ledger treated even smaller-role actors with kindness and curiosity, taking the time to talk and listen between takes. When it was time to perform, however, he could flip a switch (just ask Michael Caine) and entirely disappear into the character, a skill Dastmalchian described as the level of artistry he still aspires to.

It’s incredible to think about how dramatically public perception shifted once The Dark Knight arrived in theaters in 2008. Ledger’s Joker wasn’t just good but was transformative. The performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award and set a new benchmark for comic book villains, influencing everything from casting conversations to how seriously the genre is taken today.

Hearing a co-star admit he initially thought the casting was a bad idea doesn’t diminish the I'm Not There star's achievement. If anything, it underscores it. The Joker wasn’t a safe choice, and the Monster's Ball actor knew that going in. The fact that he could laugh about it and even agree with the skepticism makes the final result all the more impressive.

Nearly two decades later, Heath Ledger’s Joker remains the standard against which all others are measured. And thanks to stories like this from people who were actually there, the legend feels a little more human.

Comicbook fans can revisit the iconic Joker performance by streaming it and nearly all DC movies with an HBO Max subscription.

There are some films that fans never forget, and for many, A Knight’s Tale is one of them. Released in 2001, the medieval action-comedy redefined the genre with Queen sing-alongs, jousting set pieces, and an unforgettable cast led by Heath Ledger. However, for Paul Bettany, who played Geoffrey Chaucer in one of the best movies of the 2000s, the experience of making the often misunderstood film is more complicated. Over the weekend, he admitted that he hasn’t revisited the film in decades, and the reason is heartbreaking.

At L.A. Comic Con (via Entertainment Weekly), where he appeared alongside his WandaVision (streaming now with a Disney+ subscription) and Avengers co-star Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany answered fan questions about his career. When someone brought up A Knight’s Tale—one of many flicks to watch if you like Bettany—he revealed why he’s avoided rewatching it. The Wimbledon actor explained:

He added that while he did watch it back when it was first released, he hasn’t seen it since. The avoidance of the movie comes down to how much he misses his friend, the late Heath Ledger. The Vision performer continued:

Ledger tragically passed away in 2008 at the age of 28. In A Knight’s Tale, the late star plays William Thatcher, a peasant who reinvents himself as a knight. The flick gave him a chance to showcase the charisma that would later make him a household name. Bettany’s Chaucer, meanwhile, provided comic relief and one of the film’s most memorable introductions.

The Iron Man voice performer has spoken before about his fondness for Ledger. In a 2021 interview with Vulture, the Uncle Frank actor described him as having “a light that shined off him” and called him “a very playful, joyous spirit.” That same energy clearly left an impression, one that makes rewatching their time together on screen too bittersweet.

It’s easy to see A Knight’s Tale as a fun genre mashup that still holds up for fans today. But the Solo: A Star Wars Story star’s comments remind us that for the people who made it, these films aren’t just cult classics. They’re memories tied to people who are no longer here.

Ledger’s presence still looms large, from his Oscar-winning performance in one of the best Batman movies ever, The Dark Knight, to early roles like 10 Things I Hate About You, where he famously beat out 253 other actors. For Paul Bettany, though, that legacy is personal, turning a simple rewatch into an emotional challenge.

Maybe that’s part of why the movie continues to resonate so strongly. Beneath the action and glam-rock soundtrack, A Knight’s Tale is really a story about ambition and chosen family, which are ideas that linger long after the credits roll. For the English actor, those memories are still vivid, and it’s easy to understand why he hasn’t revisited the film in years – even if it remains a fan favorite.

As for Paul Bettany’s acting future in upcoming MCU movies, he also touched on the Vision TV series Vision Quest and the possibility of a House of M adaptation during the panel. Stay tuned for updates on both fronts.

With the release of any piece of art, there are always going to be conflicting opinions regarding its quality. Whether any given movie is “good” or not will always be debated, and while fans and critics alike will come to some sort of consensus, it’s often not the same thing.

It’s far from uncommon for the consensus of film critics to differ greatly from general movie fans. Some of the biggest box office success stories are films that critics hated. But which movies did critics really and truly get wrong? A recent Twitter post asking that question has gone viral, and even speaking as a professional critic, I can’t disagree with choices like this one:

The degree to which everybody, critics and audience members alike, widely misunderstood Starship Troopers is pretty widely known at this point. The movie is a harsh satire of militarization, which goes directly against its own source material. Perhaps this conflict was the reason that many simply didn’t see the satirical elements originally and read Starship Troopers as a pro-military story. Today, most understand what the movie was going for, whether or not they think it succeeded.

Another popular movie mentioned in the thread is Speed Racer. The movie has undergone a fairly significant reappraisal in recent years that sees the Wachowskis’ adaptation of the popular anime as a movie that was so far ahead of its time that critics, and even many fans, simply didn’t understand it. At the time, that meant the movie got bad reviews, but today, many love it, like this person:

One of the movies that was brought up by more than one person in the replies was Disney’s John Carter. The adaptation of The Princess of Mars is one of Disney’s most famous box office bombs, though that has more to do with the movie’s massive costs rather than its lack of a box office take.

Even as somebody who likes the movie, I’d still argue it isn’t great. The flick clearly had some difficulty in finding the best way to adapt its source material. Still, there’s a lot to enjoy about it. However, sadly, its failure clearly killed any franchise potential, and that’s a big loss for all of us.

Of all the movies mentioned, however, one that I’m taking note of is A Knight’s Tale. While I wasn’t a critic back when the Heath Ledger movie came out, I remember not caring for it when I saw it upon release. I haven’t seen it since, but I’ve heard more than one person recently talk about how it’s actually really great.

There are so many great movies being added to the list that it's almost difficult to keep track of them all. Robin Williams' grown-up Peter Pan movie Hook is there. The movie didn't get great reviews upon release, but the movie has certainly achieved a level of popularity today among the audience that grew up with it.

And then there's the inclusion of Blade Runner, a film that nobody seemed to like in 1982, with it getting mixed reviews from critics and seeing a rough box office take. The movie is generally regarded today as one of the best science fiction movies ever made.

We all have those movies that we love that critics didn’t care for. Whether it’s because the film speaks to us differently or that critics just “didn’t get it” isn’t really that important. Still, sometimes it’s clear in hindsight that critics really did miss the boat.

River Phoenix, Corey Haim, and Brittany Murphy are three big names who we all lost too soon under tragic circumstances, but they are hardly the only ones. Over the years, going back to the earliest days of Hollywood, some of the biggest stars have died before even making it to 40 years old. This list is dedicated to them, the stars we lost before they even had a chance to the "over the hill."

Corey Haim (38)

Corey Haim and Corey Feldman starred in seven movies together, and they will be forever linked as "The Two Coreys" from their heyday in the late '80s. Haim starred in a slew of Gen X classics like The Lost Boys, Lucas, Dream A Little Dream, and License to Drive. Sadly, once his fame faded a little, he never had a chance to make a comeback before he died of pneumonia in 2010 after battling addiction for years.

James Dean (24)

"Live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse," is a famous quote often associated with James Dean, who did just that. Though he only starred in three movies, his star status has remained constant in the seven decades since his death. Dean died in a car wreck in 1955.

Jayne Mansfield (34)

Jayne Mansfield was only 34 when she was killed in a car crash in 1967. Her young children, including future Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, were in the car with her, and luckily they did survive the crash. For many years, Hargitay spoke little of the event of her famous mother, but opened up in an HBO Max documentary in 2025.

Brandon Lee (28)

One of the most tragic deaths in Hollywood in the 1990s was the shocking death of Brandon Lee was killed while filming The Crow. The movie was going to be Lee's breakout, coming out from under the shadow of his famous father, Bruce Lee. The junior Lee was just 28 when he was killed on the movie set after being shot with a blank.

Marilyn Monroe (36)

Despite her death at just 36 in 1962, Marilyn Monroe's legacy is alive and well more than six decades after we lost one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Movies are still being made telling her tragic story, like the controversial Blonde in 2022 starring Ana de Armas as the screen legend.

Heath Ledger (28)

For many reading this list, there is no question that the first name they probably thought of after reading the headline is Heath Ledger. Ledger's career was rising to a new level when he sadly died of an overdose in 2008. Though he had been a star for about a decade when he died, he was coming off two legendary performances that have since defined the late Australian's career. The first, of course, is Brokeback Mountain, and the second is his Oscar-winning turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Ledger won the award posthumously, and fans felt the pain all over again, wondering how many more great performances we would have gotten from the actor.

Brittany Murphy (32)

Brittany Murphy had her breakout role as Tai Frasier in Clueless in 1995, and for the next decade, she continued to wow us in films like Drop Dead Gorgeous, Riding in Cars with Boys, and 8 Mile. Her death at just 32 in 2009 was shocking, and in the years since, it's still as mysterious as it was then.

Chris Farley (33)

Chris Farley was one of the most beloved members of the SNL cast ever, both by fans and by his fellow actors on the show. On SNL, he never failed to make everyone belly laugh at his over-the-top antics, and on the silver screen, whether in a small role like in Billy Madison or as a star in Tommy Boy, he was among the funniest ever. We never got to see enough of the star, though, as he died of an overdose at just age 33 in 1997.

Aaliyah (22)

There is something especially tragic about a plane crash. Especially when you are talking about a pop star. Aaliyah was more than a pop star, though, and she was just getting started in her acting career when she was killed in a crash in the Bahamas in 2001, not long after her film debut in Romeo Must Die.

Michelle Trachtenberg (39)

Michelle Trachtenberg is most famous for playing Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, but her seemingly endless number of credits proves she was great in a variety of roles. Her sudden death at age 39 in early 2025 shocked everyone, and while we may never be able to close the book on why she died, we will always have her work to look back on.

Bruce Lee (32)

It's almost hard to believe that Bruce Lee was only 32 when he died in 1973. He left an incredible legacy of films both in the US and in Hong Kong and has become a legend since his death. The martial arts master opened so many doors for Asian actors and films that it's impossible to measure his impact on Hollywood. It is exceptional.

John Belushi (33)

The first breakout star in SNL history was unquestionably John Belushi. Even in a cast that included Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and many others, Belushi stood above them all. He parlayed that into a wonderful, yet painfully short movie career with legendary roles in Animal House and The Blues Brothers, which is arguably the best movie based on an SNL character ever.

River Phoenix (23)

In the same way that Heath Ledger's death marks a moment in time for Millennials, River Phoenix's death in 1993 is the same for Gen X. Though Phoenix was only 23 years old, he was already a veteran actor, having gotten his start in Hollywood in commercials in the early 1980s. He rose to prominence with fantastic performances in movies like Stand By Me, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Mosquito Coast, and My Own Private Idaho. Phoenix earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Running on Empty at just age 18.

Brad Renfro (25)

Brad Renfro burst onto the scene as an 11-year-old in The Client, co-starring Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. He put in a brilliant performance and followed it up with another 20 or so credits, including in Ghost World, Sleepers, and Apt Pupil. He tragically died of an overdose in 2008 when he was just 25 years old.

Cory Monteith (31)

There are some who claim there is a curse hanging over the cast of Glee. Whether you believe in such things or not, the show does have an unsettling history when it comes to actors dying young. Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson in the hit show, died in 2013 of an overdose. He was the first young cast member to die, but he wouldn't be the last.

Dana Hill (32)

Who doesn't love a great movie about a vacation gone wrong? National Lampoon's European Vacation, the second movie of the series, is wildly underrated, and Dana Hill's performance as Audrey in it is equally underrated. Sadly, Hill died at age 32 due to complications from diabetes.

Tupac Shakur (25)

Pretty much everyone knows the story of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur's murder in 1996. Though plenty of conspiracy theories surround the events, it remains unsolved. Tupac was best known for his music, but he also had some fantastic acting chops, as he showed in movies like Above the Rim and Poetic Justice. It's hard to believe he was only 25.

Anton Yelchin (27)

One of the more bizarre ways to go on this list is what happened to Anton Yelchin, the young star of the rebooted Star Trek movies. The actor, who played Pavel Chekov in Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond, was killed when he was pinned against a post by his own SUV.

Lee Thompson Young (29)

A generation of kids grew up with Lee Thompson Young as the titular star of the Disney show The Famous Jett Jackson. They followed him as a high school student in the original Friday Night Lights movie, and then in his biggest role as an adult on Rizzoli & Isles. That would be Young's final role as he took his own life in 2013.

Heather O'Rourke (12)

In just twelve short years in this world, Heather O'Rourke made a huge impact. She is most famous, of course, for Poltergeist, and her legendary line "They're heeeeere," she also appears on TV in Happy Days and Webster, and reprised her role in two Poltergeist sequels, the final of which was released after her death in 1988.

Sharon Tate (26)

In 1969, Sharon Tate's murder by the Manson Family became the most notorious crime in Hollywood history. The talented young actor, who was pregnant at the time, was just coming into her own as a star when her life was snatched from her at just age 26. It's a murder that Quentin Tarantino reimagined in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood with the happy ending we all long for it to have been for Tate.

Angus Cloud (25)

In a horrible case of life imitating art, Euphoria star Angus Cloud died of an overdose at age 25 in 2023. The actor rose to prominence on the controversial show about teen addiction, and before his career really got going, we lost him.

Naya Rivera (33)

The circumstances behind the death of Glee star Naya Rivera may never be fully understood. The actress drowned while boating with her young son, and though she was known to be a good swimmer, according to her son, she struggled to get back on the boat after they both went for a swim. Her body was found five days later. Rivera was only 33 when she died in 2020.

Andy Kaufman (35)

Now, should Andy Kaufman be on this list? Many believe that the enigmatic comedian actually faked his own death. Though this isn't true, he was taken by cancer at age 35 in 1984, the late Kaufman would love the idea that people still believed he was alive and in hiding somewhere. It's exactly the kind of prank he would pull while he was living.

Cameron Boyce (20)

Though his career only lasted about 12 years and he died at age 20, Cameron Boyce crammed a ton of acting into his short life. Boyce has almost four dozen credits to his name, though he is certainly best known for playing Carlos in the Descendants film series.

Chance Perdomo (27)

Chance Perdomo's big break came with a starring role in Gen V, the spinoff of The Boys from Amazon Prime. Sadly, he died in a motorcycle crash in Upstate New York before the second season of the show was shot, so we never got enough of Perdomo.

Ryan Dunn (34)

In a lot of ways, the tragic death of Ryan Dunn wasn't all that surprising. That's not to say it was very sad, because it was, but for the Jackass star to go out in a car crash seems very "on brand" for Dunn. He lived life fast and crazy, and that's how he went out. It's not exactly poetic, but there is something that makes sense about it, which is rare for this list.

Jean Harlow (26)

Hollywood's original "blonde bombshell" was the great Jean Harlow. Harlow's most famous role came in the Howard Hughes-directed classic Hell's Angels, and she's also well known for a string of comedic roles in the 1930s, before she died due to Kidney failure in 1937. She was only 26 at the time of her death.

Freddie Prinze (22)

Freddie Prinze is probably best known by most people today as the father of Freddie Prinze, Jr. Tragically, before the younger Prinze was even one year old, the senior Prinze took his own life at just age 22.

Jonathan Brandis (27)

Teen heartthrob Jonathan Brandis, like so many other actors, got his start in soap operas. His most prominent role came as Lucas Wolenczak on seaQuest DSV, which is where he truly became a beloved star. His fame faded somewhat after seaQuest DSV ended, and he tragically took his own life in 2003.

Dominique Dunne (22)

The Dunne family is Hollywood and literary royalty. Dominique Dunne, whose father was writer Dominick Dunne and whose brother is actor Griffin Dunne, was horrifically killed by her boyfriend in 1982 at just age 22. She was the first of two young stars to die from the cast of Poltergeist, along with Heather O'Rourke.

Thuy Trang (27)

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers have become a much-loved franchise over the years, and it all started with the original cast of the first show. Thuy Trang was the first actor to play the Yellow Ranger on screen before she was killed in a car crash with her friend and fellow actor Angela Rockwood in 2001. Rockwood suffered a spinal injury that left her unable to walk, and Trang succumbed to her injuries before making it to the hospital. Like all the actors on this list, she sadly didn't make it 40, as she was just 27.

I was 6 years old when Brokeback Mountain was released, and for most of my life, I’ve been hearing a lot of deserved praise for one of the 2000s' best movies. Over that time, I’ve also heard a lot about how tragic this film is, but never learned exactly why. When I watched Brokeback Mountain for the first time in celebration of the western's limited release for the 20th anniversary, I figured out why pretty quickly, though, and correctly predicted how it would end.

However, there is a detail I didn’t expect regarding the end that absolutely wrecked me, despite my hunch being correct.

I Had A Feeling Jake Gyllenhaal’s Character Was Going To Die From The Start

In this all-time great western drama, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack is the more reckless of the two lead characters. We see that through his history with rodeo as well as his relationship with his horse on Brokeback, which tragically parallels the spontaneous and reckless event that ultimately leads to his death.

Early on, I realized he wouldn’t survive this movie. He lives as openly and as freely as he can in a place where it's not accepted. Jack is always the one asking Ennis to run away with him, and he’s the one willing to take the risk to live with his love.

In the film, Jack’s wife tells Heath Ledger’s Ennis that he died when the tire on his car exploded. However, Ennis also imagines his love being beaten to death, making the actual cause of his death a bit ambiguous. However, I think it also implies how dangerous it was for these men to live and love each other.

I had a feeling Jack would be the one to die, because he's the one who's more willing and ready to love Ennis openly. He also wears his emotions on his sleeve and acts in reckless ways here and there, juxtaposing Ennis’ reserved and overprotective ways.

Thinking about all of that, I figured this kind of tension and ultimate end would happen for these two men. However, I didn’t expect it to happen years after their first trip up the mountain.

However, I Had No Clue How Much Time This Movie Spanned. So, When Jack Died All Those Years Later, It Shocked Me

When I started watching Brokeback Mountain, I had assumed the film's events would all take place on that trip up the mountain when they first meet. I did not expect it to span more than a decade of time.

So, rather than a fast and fiery love story, this movie is a bit more methodical and slow-burning, with pockets of fire and passion throughout. This makes it so the story doesn’t burn fast and bright; and is more like embers barely staying alit as these two men wrestle with their feelings and societal expectations.

Every time Jack proposes that they run away together, it gets more heartbreaking. Every time they leave each other after a trip, it becomes more emotional. And eventually, when Jack dies, seeing an older Ennis come to terms with what he lost is absolutely heartbreaking.

For over a decade, Ennis struggles with his life and love and never takes the leap to be with the man he treasures most. All his repressed feelings keep him away from what he really wants, and then, eventually, years and years later, the option to finally act on said emotions is taken away from him forever.

If this story only took place over a short period of time, Jack’s death would still be very sad, don’t get me wrong. However, because it happened over many years, these men live a lot of their lives, and their relationship is core to their existence for so long, so for it to be taken away without having reached its full potential is a heartbreak I wasn't expected.

Seeing Ennis In Jack’s Home And How He Reacted To His Old Jacket Is What Wrecked Me

Now, the real moment that absolutely brreaks me comes after Ennis learns of Jack’s death. He travels to the home of his love’s parents, and while there, finds his old jacket from their trip on Brokeback Mountain, covered in blood.

Ledger’s performance in this scene is remarkable. Without saying a single word, he’s able to communicate the heartache and grief he feels about this loss, as he takes the jacket from the closet and hugs it. It's almost like he's transported back to that fateful trip while also mourning everything they’d lost in the present.

After that, we get to look forward to the future for a second as Ennis learns that his daughter is getting married. When she goes to his home, it's clear how lonely he is; however, it's lovely to see him happy for his kid finding love, while still hard not to think about what could have been with him and Jack in that moment. Especially considering they were around the same age when they first met as his daughter is in this scene.

Then, to twist this tragic knife a bit more, that final scene features Ennis going to his closet to put away his daughter’s sweater that she left behind. When he opens the door, Jack’s old shirt and jacket are still hanging there, front and center, with a picture of the mountain they fell in love on.

Watching him fix those buttons with tears in his eyes and adjust the photo took me right back to where their relationship started, and got me thinking about everything that could have been, but sadly never was.

This film, which arguably should have won Best Picture, is truly a tragedy, and it’s easily one of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s best movies, because they are utterly beautiful and heartbreaking as these star-crossed lovers. Even though I knew that from the start, there was plenty I didn’t realize that made this all the more emotional, and because of that, I’ve been deeply and profoundly moved.

As strange as this might sound, I watched Brokeback Mountain for the first time. No, not the first time since what is considered one of the best 2000s movies came out back in 2005, but the first time ever. For a variety of reasons, namely being a 17-year-old when Ang Lee’s heartbreaking epic about unrequited love first came out, I didn’t see it back then, and I’ve put it off more times than I can count since.

With the 20th anniversary rerelease of Brokeback Mountain right around the corner (it opens for a limited run on Friday, June 20th), I decided to finally go back and watch the magnificent Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal movie. While I was initially a little ticked off at myself for waiting all these years, upon reflecting, I’m really glad I waited until I was a 37-year-old father of three opposed to being a foolish high school senior. Here’s why…

I Don't Think The Inner Turmoil Of Ennis And Jack's Relationship Would Have Hit As Hard

Above all, Brokeback Mountain is a movie about love, loss, heartbreak, and the enduring human spirit despite living in a world that won’t accept you for who you are. Being a teenager, who a) didn’t know nothing from nothing, and b) had never experienced true heartbreak, I think the inner turmoil of the core relationship wouldn’t have hit as hard. I honestly don’t think I would have fully understood everything these two cowboys with hard exteriors and tender hearts were going through over the course of the movie.

Honestly, watching Heath Ledger’s Ennis and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack attempt to hide their true nature from their wives, children, bosses, and society as a whole while putting up a facade of standard heterosexual roughnecks was heartbreaking. It was only on Brokeback Mountain that the two felt they could be themselves and be happy.

The Passage Of Time And Its Effect On Relationships Resonated So Much For A Man Approaching His 40s

At its core, art forces you to reflect on your past, your present, and what brought you here, and Brokeback Mountain did just that. Watching Ang Lee’s dramatic take on Annie Proulx’s transformative 1997 short story in the New Yorker, with its depiction of the passage of time and its effect on relationships, was nothing short of masterful. The agony and ecstasy of life and love are explored in great detail as Ennis and Jack go from two strangers on a sheep drive together to star-crossed lovers who just can’t quite make it work, while also not being able to quit each other either.

With my 40s quickly approaching (time seems much faster these days), this aspect of the movie resonated with me a whole lot, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about ever since the credits rolled. At the same time, this is something that I think would have been lost on me way back when. Again, having not gone through love, heartbreak, and rebirth at the time the film came out, I don’t think the messages and themes of this heartbreakingly poignant movie would have been lost on me.

I Also Found Myself Wrapped Up In The Drama Of Ennis And Jack's Families

Though the main focus of Brokeback Mountain is on the decades-long relationship between Ennis and Jack, I can’t sit here and claim that this was the only aspect of the movie. Everything about the two leads’ respective lives off the mountain was just as interesting, especially as the two separate worlds become entangled and increasingly more complicated, especially as the two main protagonists marry, have kids, and attempt to build lives for themselves away from Brokeback.

Though I’ve never had to go through an experience like Ennis and Jack, I found myself getting wrapped up in the ups and downs of their respective marriages and trials and tribulations through parenthood. Being married and having children of my own, I oftentimes find myself being torn between who I was and who I am now, and I can only imagine how difficult it had to be for two people who couldn’t admit to their families (or the world) that they weren’t with the one they loved. Heartbreaking, to say the least.

Brokeback Mountain Requires Patience, Empathy, And Restraint, All Of Which I Didn't Have Back Then

The thing about Brokeback Mountain is that it’s a long movie. Though not the longest movie I’ve ever seen, the pacing of the film makes it so that you need a great deal of patience while taking it all in. The same can be said about the story, as you need to be patient while Ennis and Jack’s relationship slowly blossoms into something so powerful. I don’t know how I would have been able to handle the slowness of the epic back then, but as a 37-year-old, it was absolutely stunning and created a slow and meditative experience.

The movie also requires a tremendous amount of empathy from its audience. If you aren’t able to put yourself in the shoes of the main characters, or even their families at times, this is a hard film to watch. It also takes a surprising amount of restraint at times, especially when it comes to Jack’s heartbreaking death, which is left ambiguous after recalling a story Ennis told earlier in the movie. Like patience, my empathy and restraint back in 2005 weren’t what they are today, though I still need to work on all three.

Also, I Don't Think I Could Have Handled Brokeback Mountain's Complexities As An Immature 17-Year-Old Boy In The South

I make no claims of being a perfect human being these days, but I am a much better person than I was at 17 years old, and I don’t think I’m alone. Here’s the thing: I don’t think I could have handled the complexities, the nuances, or even the emotions at the core of Brokeback Mountain way back when.

This isn’t to say that I wouldn’t have liked the movie, as I probably would have enjoyed it all the same. I just think that an immature teenage boy from the South wouldn’t have been as open to everything that unfolded. Times change, and so do people, and I honestly think waiting so long to watch this gem was the right choice. However, I’m still kicking myself for missing out on such a lovely story.

All in all, watching Brokeback Mountain was a profound, emotional, and delightful experience, and no, it's just because I can now enter the conversation about it getting snubbed at the Oscars.

10 Things I Hate About You was released back in 1999, and is arguably one of the best High School movies of all time. A modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, the comedy (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) is still endlessly quotable and a beloved rom-com. And the movie's director recently explained why late actor Heath Ledger landed the role of Patrick Verona back in the day.

I grew up watching 10 Things I Hate About You over and over again on syndication, and I think it's one of the best '90s movies of all time. Director Gil Junger recently spoke to EW about the casting process, which include seeing hundreds of men for Patrick. As he put it:

That's show business, folks. Casting is a unique process, and sometimes people are seen thanks to personal favors. That's what happened with Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You, although the Oscar-winning actor was able to deliver in the role and land the part. Truly it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role.

10 Things I Hate About You isn't a big blockbuster, so it might be surprising that so many actors were brought in by the casting director. Later in that same interview, Junger went on to share how Heath Ledger ended up dazzling them during this long and grueling process. As he shared:

This is just one story that shows what kind of actor Heath Ledger was. Despite his young age, he had the charisma and star power to land the leading role in 10 Things I Hate About You. This rom-com was just the tip of the ice berg, and he's go on to give acclaimed performances in a number of other projects. That includes Brokeback Mountain, and his Oscar-winning role as Joker in The Dark Knight Rises.

10 Things I Hate About You is streaming now on Disney+. We'll just have to wait and see if any of the titles on the 2025 movie release list ends up being quite as iconic.

Heath Ledger’s death hit fans hard, as well as all those who were lucky to know him. The beloved Hollywood star who never made it to 40 passed away in 2008 of an accidental prescription drug overdose. Michelle Williams and Dax Shepard made sure to share kind words about the Australian actor as they reflected on his legacy and death.

During Heath Ledger’s final days, the Dark Knight actor’s sleeping troubles led to him mixing sleeping pills with other prescription drugs. It was in his SoHo apartment that he took a lethal combination of drugs that led to his fatal overdose. However, the posthumous Oscar winner’s legacy isn’t shaped by his tragic end, but by his talent and goodness he brought out in those who knew him. On Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, the Parenthood actor spoke about how he knew Ledger when he was getting sober and what he thought of him:

I’m sure Heath Ledger was a special person to be around. Many other actors would agree with Dax Shepard’s kind words, like actor David Dastmalchian. His sweet memories of working with his Dark Knight co-star involved being a witness to the actor’s “kindness” and “gentleness of spirit.” Julia Stiles tributed her 10 Things I Hate About You co-star, saying he was “such a force” as he lit up a room. It's clear Ledger’s friendliness and taking command of a film set never went unnoticed.

Dax Shepard’s guest, Michelle Williams, was noticeably emotional when it came to talking about her ex-boyfriend. While starring in Brokeback Mountain, the two started dating in real life in 2004. Before their split in 2007, the duo had a daughter born in 2005 named Matilda. The Blue Valentine actress made sure to share her thoughts on the late actor and the genuine gift he left behind:

Back when Michelle Williams was thinking about Heath Ledger a decade after his death, she spoke about how heartbreaking it was that her daughter would grow up without a father. However, the Dawson’s Creek alum credited actor Jeremy Strong for stepping up for Matilda, who, along with Williams’ sister and another friend, moved in with the actress shortly after Ledger’s death. It was during that tragic time that the Succession actor had fun times interacting with the young toddler. As depressing as it was for everyone that Ledger couldn’t light up the room again, at least Matilda was still surrounded by love.

While Heath Ledger’s death will always be a tragedy, hearing Dax Shepard and Michelle Williams talk about how “special” he was proves that The Patriot actor truly left a real mark on everyone. With a piece of him left in his daughter, Matilda, his spirit will continue to live on through her.

Okay, so hear me out. I do not hate the movie Crash. And I mean the 2004 Paul Haggis film. Not the identically titled movie by David Cronenberg. I know it’s popular to dogpile on Crash, especially since it won Best Picture. But, I honestly kind of like it.

Is it one of the best movies to ever win Best Picture? God no. Is it heavy handed as all hell? Absolutely. That said, I don’t think it’s a bad movie in any way. However, I’m still upset that it beat Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture, even after all these years.

Because after rewatching Brokeback, I think I love it now even more than when I initially saw it. So, here’s why I’m still a little pissed that Brokeback Mountain didn’t win Best Picture back in 2006.

Heath Ledger And Jake Gyllenhaal Were Fearless In Their Performances, And These Roles Are The Highlights Of Their Respective Careers

Brokeback Mountain isn’t my favorite Jake Gyllenhaal movie. That would be Nocturnal Animals. It’s also not my favorite Heath Ledger movie. That would be The Dark Knight.

However, in both of their respective careers–Jake Gyllenhaal’s long one, and Heath Ledger’s relatively short one–I still think that these were the bravest, most fearless roles that either of them ever did. It’s little wonder that both of them were nominated at the 76th Academy Awards, with Ledger up for Best Actor, and Gyllenhaal for up Best Supporting Actor (Which neither of them won, unfortunately).

The story of two cowboys who fall in love between 1963 and 1983, Brokeback Mountain was a landmark film, and honestly could have been the death of either actor’s career, even back in 2005. But honestly, it seems like neither of them cared. Scenes of them having sex or passionately kissing were rather explicit, but it’s not like it was banging us over the head with its themes.

On the contrary, it was all quite elegant. Their vulnerability was palpable, and it made their romance feel both irresistible, but also dangerous, which it was. In that way, Brokeback Mountain wasn’t heavy handed like Crash was with its themes of racism. It was actually quite subtle, which likely wouldn’t have been the case without Ang Lee’s Academy Award-winning directing (The one major award that this film did win), or Gyllenhaal’s and Ledger’s superb acting.

In every way, these were the performances of a lifetime, and if the film couldn’t pick up Best Picture, I would have liked it if either Gyllenhaal or Ledger had nabbed one of the Best Actor awards. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.

The Story Is Still Beautiful, Haunting, And Relevant

Jack Twist, played by Gyllenhaal, and Ennis Del Mar, played by Ledger, love each other. That said, they can’t fully love each other. That’s because even though they want to, society dictates that they shouldn’t, and, more importantly, that they can’t.

Yes, they make excuses to see each other, but over the years, they grow apart and both of them get married to women and have children. Their love for each other lasts for years, and neither of them are truly happy with their lives since they miss each other so much, and wish to be together.

And, God Almighty, is that heartbreaking, or what? This isn’t a Romeo and Juliet story, and yet, it kind of is. Both of their respective families look upon their relationship with disgust, and it’s almost like the Montagues and the Capulets in a way, with their wives being the stand-ins for the parents.

That said, it’s society itself that is keeping them apart, because if they were born later or lived in a different part of the country, perhaps they could have lived out their dreams. And, that’s the true tragedy of the film, but also what makes it incredibly relevant. Because while same-sex relationships are still frowned upon in certain corners of the country, it’s accepted in many others.

The setting is important though, and why we ranked this film as one of the greatest westerns of all time. Because who knows? If this story were set in San Francisco, it might have had a different outcome. But, it’s because it takes place in a part of the country where homosexuality might be seen as a sin that it still feels relevant today.

That Said, It Still Feels Like A Time Capsule

Though it didn’t make the list of best LGBTQ+ movies on Rotten Tomatoes, I still feel like Brokeback Mountain is an important film, and mostly because it’s such a time capsule.

Just think, same-sex marriage became legal in all 50 states by 2015. That’s a whole decade after Brokeback Mountain came out, which is kind of mind-boggling. In fact, if Brokeback Mountain came out today, I guarantee that it would still be up for Best Picture.

That said, even though its story is still bold and ambitious, I don’t think it has the same potency today that it had back then, and that’s because we’ve actually come a long way since 2005. In a lot of ways, Brokeback Mountain walked so that a movie like Moonlight could run, as the idea of a film about two gay lovers doesn’t really seem all that revolutionary anymore.

Which is great! Brokeback Mountain kind of broke the mold by taking two very popular actors at the time and putting them in a movie like this. It wasn’t a film that hid from its premise, but rather, embraced it, which makes it feel all the more important.

And, while I’m not for awarding a movie just because it’s important, I do feel like Brokeback Mountain was more important to the zeitgeist than a movie like Crash, which seemed like it had a lot to say, but didn’t really say anything (You mean that racism is bad, and that we shouldn’t judge people on one encounter alone? Really? I didn’t know that).

So, in that way, Brokeback Mountain is still relevant, but it’s also a time capsule to a bygone era, and one that I feel should have been awarded for Best Picture. But, there’s one other major reason why I think it should have won.

It’s Absolutely Better Than Crash

I haven’t beaten around the bush when it comes to this article: Brokeback Mountain is, quite simply, a better movie than Crash. The acting is better. The direction is better. The story is better. Pretty much everything is better.

And again, this is coming from somebody who actually likes Crash. So much so that if Crash came out another year, I really don’t have a problem with it winning, as shoot, Driving Miss Daisy won. Hell, Green Book won Best Picture, and I actually think Crash is better than that film.

However, Crash is not better than Brokeback Mountain, which still holds up today. In a lot of ways, Brokeback kind of feels like the Facebook movie, The Social Network, in that it perfectly represents a time and a place.

Crash could have represented a time. But, it really just feels like a stew of events that is all stirred up together, which isn’t bad, per se, but it doesn’t (and didn’t back then, even) feel worthy of beating Brokeback Mountain, which was both about the time presented in the film, but also about the time when it was released.

That’s why after rewatching Brokeback Mountain, I’m still of the opinion that it really should have won, and it stands as one of the most egregious losses in all of the Academy Awards history.

But, what do you think? Do you agree that Brokeback Mountain should have beaten Crash for Best Picture? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is largely considered one of the best superhero movies of all time. The blockbuster (which is streaming with a Max subscription) made the director's vision for Gotham City into a bonafide franchise, and earned Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his performance as The Joker. Michael Caine recently recalled seeing the late actor's process, and how "terrified" he was of seeing The Joker in the flesh.

Ledger's method acting in The Dark Knight resulted in a breathtaking performance, although it seemed to have taken a toll on his mental health. In his new book Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life (via People), Caine spoke about his relationship with the late actor. He mentioned his temperament, offering:

Moviegoers who have spent years watching the DC movies in order have seen a number of Jokers come and go. Ledgers continues to have staying power, thanks to the unique way that he approached the character. Caine spoke about what it was like seeing him in full Joker gar on et, offering:

While Ledger's performance was definitely chilling in theaters, it's fascinating to hear how even his fellow Dark Knight Rises co-stars were scared of him as Joker. That includes Michael Caine, who has had a long and wildly successful career.

When raking Joker actors, Ledger usually ends up at the top of the list. And his universally acclaimed performance in The Dark Knight Rises shows how tragic his passing was, and how much potential his career had. As Caine shared:

I've got to agree with him. Whether it was early rom-com success in 10 Things I Hate About You or his Awards Season favorites like Brokeback Mountain or The Dark Knight, Ledger definitely left behind a legacy thanks to his talent and character.

Michael Caine's book Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life: My Guide to Life is available to purchase now.

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since one of the best Shakespeare-adapted movies, 10 Things I Hate About You, graced us with its theatrical presence. But, of course, it’s hard to think about that rom-com without the stellar performance of late actor Heath Ledger. The film’s female lead, Julia Stiles, hasn't forgotten either as she reflects on what it was like when she worked with the beloved performer.

In 10 Things I Hate About You, popular sophomore student Bianca isn’t allowed to date until her outcast older sister, Kat (played by Julia Stiles), does. This leads to “bad boy” Patrick (played by Heath Ledger) getting paid to date Kat. Years after the Save the Last Dance actress worked with Ledger, she spoke kind words about the late actor on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Prepare to be touched by her heartwarming tribute to him:

I can imagine how heartbreaking it must have been when she heard about Heath Ledger’s passing. Considering the lovable chemistry the two shared in one of the best enemies-turned-lovers films, it’s clear their connection left a lasting impact on her. After his fatal accidental drug overdose in 2008, Ledger was an example of a beloved actor who, unfortunately, never made it to 40. It was an incredible loss in the entertainment industry as this actor could have been on the verge of a career surge after his Dark Knight performance.

However, the Brokeback Mountain star was remembered as a phenomenal actor with many stories to prove what a talent he was. For instance, Heath Ledger took a career hiatus for a year after 10 Things I Hate About You to avoid being typecast with similar characters to Patrick. Instead, he wanted to play more diverse roles. It was certainly a bold choice for the talented actor to make as his career took him across various roles like Bob Dylan, 14th-century peasant William Thatcher, and his transformative portrayal of The Joker where he won a posthumous Oscar for The Dark Knight. If Ledger were still alive today, I’d like to believe he’d continue impressing audiences with more groundbreaking roles that showcased his incredible range.

Julia Stiles isn’t the only cast member from 10 Things I Hate About You to remember The Patriot actor. A few years ago, Joseph Gordon-Levitt shared a cast throwback photo as the box-office hit approached its 20th anniversary. Director of the teen comedy flick, Gil Junger, reflected on what “an old soul” Ledger was and how “crushed” he felt when he found out he died. It’s proof that the Lords of Dogtown actor will be missed by all of those who were lucky enough to know and work with him.

Hearing Julia Stiles talk about Heath Ledger bringing “energy and passion” when he came into a room is a true reminder of what made him so unforgettable. The Oscar winner truly gave it his all in every performance and I’m sure his former co-stars will continue to keep his memory alive. You can relive the sweet chemistry between Stiles and Ledger with 10 Things I Hate About You available on your Peacock subscription.

2024 was filled with some excellent TV performances, and one that truly made an impression was Colin Farrell’s turn as the titular character on The Penguin. It was expected that the actor and his collaborators would eventually receive some awards recognition, so it wasn’t surprising when the series scored awards nods. Farrell was ultimately among the 2025 Golden Globe winners this weekend. Now, I’m just loving his funny response to becoming the third Batman actor to win the award after Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix.

Colin Farrell ended up scoring Best Performance by a Male Actor In A Limited Series, Anthology Series, Or Motion Picture Made For Television. The 48-year-old Irish actor gave a spirited acceptance speech, at which point he thanked the DC Studios show’s cast and crew as well as craft services. During the post-win press conference, Farrell addressed journalists, humbly expressing gratitude for the honor. Check out his answer to a question in this clip shared to Instagram by CBS Mornings:

I really love these comments from the lead of the Penguin cast, and they really speak to his character not just as an actor but as a person. What I really love, though, is that quip referencing the fact that the other two actors he’s now in the company of portrayed the Joker. In case you somehow missed it, the Banshees of Inishirin star said the following when informed of where he now stands in proximity to his peers:

Over the years, the Widows alum has proven to be quite witty, so those sentiments certainly track for him. That aside, the star is also known for being sincere, and the fact that he paid tribute to both Joaquin Phoenix and the late Heath Ledger while addressing the media was incredibly sweet. Both Ledger and Phoenix certainly left their own marks on the Batman mythos, and the same is definitely true when it comes to the In Bruges star and his work.

Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oz Cobb in 2022’s The Batman was praised, though the star truly shined in the role during the acclaimed spinoff series. In fact, the show proved to be so popular during its eight-episode run during the end of 2024 that it’s been speculated that the limited series could become an ongoing show. That’s yet to be confirmed, as of this writing, but there may be reason to be hopeful. Months ago, EP Matt Reeves made fans optimistic after he noted that some early conversations regarding new episodes had taken place.

Whatever the case may be when it comes to a second season of the HBO series, the Sugar star’s performance as Oz will surely be talked about for years to come. Plus, fans can also look forward to seeing him reprise his role as the slimy Gotham City gangster in the upcoming The Batman sequel. Should the actor continue to crush the part, there’s certainly the chance that he could transform the Penguin into a prestige role not unlike what Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix did with Joker.

You can stream all episodes of The Penguin now using a Max subscription. You can also use that membership to stream The Dark Knight and the two Joker films to check out the award-winning portrayals of the Clown Prince of Crime.

When it comes to the many Joker portrayals over the years, it’s pretty much universally accepted that Heath Ledger blew us away more than any other actor with 2008’s The Dark Knight. Sure, we’re very much hyped for Joaquin Phoenix's second Joker movie, but a new collectible for Ledger’s version of the villain has me thinking about how legendary and how incredible the actor was in the role all over again.

Heath Ledger’s memory as The Joker has been immortalized by fans in tons of ways over the years, but I’m so serious about how awesome this collectible figure is! Check out The Dark Knight’s Joker with his own Batsuit:

As Hot Toys shared on its Instagram, the Clown Prince of Crime has been given a new twist to his look thanks to this upcoming figure. It’s called 'The Joker (Batman Imposter Version) (Artisan Edition) Sixth Scale Figure,' and it features a super realistic version of Joker with a Batsuit that looks spray painted with green, purple and red paint. Perhaps if Ledger’s Joker won a fight against Christian Bale’s Batman, he might have taken his suit and flaunted this redesign in order to haunt the citizens of Gotham City.

The Hot Toys figure is being made in limited quantities and is currently available to "RSVP to receive updates for purchase" on Sideshow. Heath Ledger never donned any sort of Batsuit like this in the movie, but it’s a cool take on the villain that offers a rare opportunity for the character to be a caped crusader, too. Plus, I recall firsthand seeing cosplayer Jean Markus doing the same take on the villain for San Diego Comic-Con 2022. It was truly chilling. Take a look:

Joker has worn a Batsuit before in the comic books as well. For example, it happened within Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #5 by Matthew Rosenberg and Carmine Di Giandomenico, which hit shelves in 2023.

When it comes to Ledger, he is unfortunately among beloved actors who never made it to 40. The actor died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28, six months before the release of The Dark Knight. The actor never got to see his high-profile role become one of the most acclaimed in superhero movies or accept the posthumous Oscar he earned the following year.

Over the years, talent in Hollywood have continued to remember Ledger and their experience working beside him. As his prior film, 10 Things I Hate About You, passed its 25-year anniversary, the rom-com director, Gil Junger, called the actor “an old soul” who “wasn’t a drug guy.” Aaron Eckhart of The Dark Knight also recently reflected on the blockbuster, sharing that he felt how special the movie was through the script before saying that Heath “went off the charts” with his performance.

If you’re willing to fight to be one of the lucky few to own this figure, sign up for those updates. Otherwise, there’s quite a few upcoming Batman movies and TV shows on the way, including a Joker appearance (played by Mark Hamill) in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth - Part Three, which just became available to buy on digital this week.

Collectibles like this show how important to DC and comic book pop culture Heath Ledger's Joker remains to fans.

Sometimes, a character and a project come around that impacts the zeitgeist deeply, and when that happens, the role becomes permanently attached to an actor’s legacy. This list includes over 30 actors from some of the greatest movies and TV shows who will forever be remembered for one role. 

Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, Harry Potter 

While Daniel Radcliffe’s list of best movies is long and notable – with entries like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – he will always be known first and foremost as The Boy Who Lived. The actor took on the titular role of Harry Potter when he was 12 years old, and he’s the face of a franchise of movies that have raised countless people. So, while he is beloved for lots of things, nothing will ever be as big and prominent as his role in the Wizarding World.  

Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad and its cast truly took the world by storm, and the guys leading the charge, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, became certified legends because of it. It’s hard to separate Paul from Jesse Pinkman, and the impact he made with his fellow ensemble members in this incredible show.  

Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When you play one of the greatest TV characters of all time, obviously, it’ll be the thing you’re most remembered for. For Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’ll always be known as the legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer after playing the empowering and strong titular character for seven seasons in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. 

Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark, Iron Man

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, and yes, he’s well known for roles in other films, like Sherlock Holmes. However, when you single-handedly help successfully start a cinematic universe like the one Marvel has and star in nine of those projects, yes, you are going to be known for playing that character forever.

So, when it comes to RDJ’s legacy, his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be the thing he’s remembered forever for.  

Elijah Wood – Frodo, Lord of the Rings

Like Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter, so many grew up with Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings. His portrayal of the hobbit Frodo Baggins was incredibly impactful, and while he has gone on to play a variety of memorable roles, there’s no denying the power of the Rings. 

Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, Star Wars

You can’t talk about the late great Carrie Fisher and her career without mentioning Princess Leia and the Star Wars movies. She inspired a whole generation as her intelligent, stubborn and empowering princess, and the five films she was a part of helped define sci-fi in film. 

Leonard Nimoy – Spock, Star Trek

Live long and prosper, my friend. Forever and always the legendary Leonard Nimoy will be known for originating the role of the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in Star Trek. 

Christopher Reeve – Superman, Superman

Christopher Reeve’s legacy is rooted in him playing Superman in four films. Even the documentary that came out about his life in 2024 leans into his time playing Clark Kent, as it’s called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. 

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano, The Sopranos

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows on television, and James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is a major reason why. The actor won three Emmys for his performance in the series, and his name, face and voice are synonymous with the beloved HBO drama. 

Alicia Silverstone – Cher Horowitz, Clueless

When I think of Alicia Silverstone, I immediately think of Cher, because she is and always will be best known for her iconic performance in one of the best movies of the ‘90s, Clueless. 

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley, Alien

Sigourney Weaver changed the sci-fi game when she starred in Alien. Ellen Ripley is a magnificent and strong leading woman in this sci-fi horror flick, which in 1979, was not something we saw very often. 

Jim Parsons – Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

“Bazinga!” Will always follow Jim Parsons, and that’s because of his tenure playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor has four Emmys for playing the role, he starred in all 280 episodes of the comedy, and his character even inspired a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which came to an end in 2024 after its own seven-season run. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

The world was introduced to Kit Harington because of Game of Thrones, and he will always be remembered as the heroic Jon Snow. His role in the GOT cast was vital, and over the years, as we watched him battle it out at The Wall and work toward saving Westeros from winter, it was impossible not to fall for him. Now, while Harington has been in numerous other projects since then, it’s impossible not to think of him as this epic fantasy hero first. 

Emma Watson – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

These days, Emma Watson doesn’t act anymore, and she’s killing with her gin company Renais. However, she’ll also always be remembered as a wonderful actress who brought life to the beloved witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. 

The Entire Cast of Friends

Yes, the cast of Friends all went on to have successful careers after the NBC sitcom. However, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are best known as Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Monica, and they always will be, because they’re the ones with a hit TV show. 

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso, The Karate Kid

After three Karate Kid movies, and six seasons of its highly successful spinoff Cobra Kai, you’d be silly not to think that Ralph Macchio will always be remembered for playing Daniel LaRusso. 

Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor, The Terminator

Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. She’s beloved for portraying the protagonist in this sci-fi franchise, and she’s synonymous with this series that she starred in alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, Thor

While many Marvel actors have become synonymous with their characters, one who really stands out is Chris Hemsworth and Thor. Physically, the Australian actor perfectly embodies the God of Thunder, and throughout his time playing the character he added an unexpected sense of humor to the role – especially post-Thor: Ragnarok – that he’ll be remembered forever for. 

Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan, Twilight

Twilight, the debate about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob and Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan took over the zeitgeist between 2008-2012. To this day, while she’s gone on to star in incredible films like Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding, the role that made her a household name is one of the parts she’ll always be remembered for. 

Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best Joker, because of his commanding performance as the legendary Batman villain in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. This movie was also one of his last before his untimely death, and he won a posthumous Oscar for his incredible take on the infamous big bad. 

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown has made quite a few successful films, like the Enola Holmes movies. However, it’s undeniable that the role that will define her career is Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 when she started playing the mysterious super-powered human, and over the course of the show’s five-season run, both she and the ensemble of the Netflix series, have become pop culture icons because of the show. 

William Shatner – Captain Kirk, Star Trek

If you take a look at the four projects listed at the top of William Shatner’s IMDb page, all of them are Star Trek movies where he played Captain Kirk. The man starred in seven films and a long-running TV show as the beloved captain, so of course it’s what he’s best known for. 

Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly, Back to the Future

From Family Ties to Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox and his shows and movies were ‘80s staples. However, there’s no denying that the project he’ll always be remembered for is Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. To this day, the project is considered one of the best ‘80s movies, and Fox is still beloved for playing the charismatic, funny and heroic Marty McFly. 

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 

In the over two decades since Legally Blonde’s release, so many have been inspired to pursue their dreams and wear lots and lots of pink. That’s because Elle Woods truly left an amazing mark on the zeitgeist, and it’s because of Reese Witherspoon’s heartfelt, funny and preppy performance as the incredible lawyer-in-training. 

As Elle Woods would say, “What like it’s hard” to create one of the best characters and movies of the 2000s? 

Jon Hamm – Don Draper, Mad Men

While Jon Hamm is a wicked comedic actor, and he’s starred in a myriad of fun movies, nothing will ever come close to Mad Men. For 92 episodes, Hamm led the Mad Men cast as Don Draper – which he took an Emmy home for in 2015 – and he’ll always be recognized for playing the charismatic creative director of Sterling Cooper.

Judy Garland – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has raised generations of kids since 1939, and it’s still a family classic. So, when you lead a beloved musical like that, as Judy Garland did, and it remains relevant and loved for over eight decades, obviously, the role you’ll always be known for is that one. 

David Tennant – The Doctor, Doctor Who

While everyone who has played the titular timelord on Doctor Who is known for that role specifically, David Tennant is a fan-favorite Doctor, and it’s single-handedly the project he’s best known for. While he’s dabbled in many other critically acclaimed projects, like Good Omens and Broadchurch, he is and always will be the beloved actor who graced our screens as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors first and foremost. 

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it’s in part thanks to Anthony Hopkins' truly terrifying cannibal Hannibal Lecter. In fact, his character became so popular that it inspired three more movies and a TV show. 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw inspired many women to become writers, and I know she left many of us fantasizing about living out our lives in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker truly slayed the role, and her own sense of style and charismatic personality meshed perfectly with Carrie. Along with playing the writer in the OG series Sex and the City, SJP has also portrayed her in two movies and the series And Just Like That. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones 

Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, those are all the names Emilia Clarke’s dragon rider went by in Game of Thrones, and she gave an absolutely commanding performance as her. While her ending wasn’t what most wanted, there’s no denying how amazing it was to see Daenerys rise from a woman trying to survive to a powerful leader, and that’s because of how brilliant Clarke was in the role. 

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

He was the face of the original trilogy, and you can’t think about Star Wars without thinking about Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker. While the actor is well-known for other roles, especially in the world of voice acting, his most prominent part has to be this. 

Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman

Sadly, there aren’t many superhero movies led by women. However, luckily, we do have a few wonderful ones, and that includes Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. She played the beloved hero with so much grace, poise and strength, and she’ll 100% always be remembered for it. 

Obviously, while all these actors have played other prominent roles in well-known movies and shows, there’s no question that when we consider their legacies, these parts will be the first ones we think about. They’re that iconic, and we have these performers to thank for them. 

Aside from the late Heath Ledger being beloved for having arguably the best portrayal of the Joker in a major movie, the actor also starred in one of the best romantic comedies of all time back in 1999: 10 Things I Hate About You. Following the movie turning 25 years old earlier this year, its director, Gil Junger, reflected on what he knew about the late actor’s struggles just ahead of his death.

Heath Ledger died at the age of 28 back in 2008 when his body was found in his apartment. The toxicology report indicated The Dark Knight actor had died due to an accidental mixture of prescription drugs. When reflecting to People about Ledger, here’s what Junger shared:

Gil Junger met Heath Ledger while he was casting the leading role of Patrick Verona for 10 Things I Hate About You back in 1998. Ledger had yet to reach his 20s when the Australian actor strolled in amidst over 200 guys apparently reading for the role before him. Junger shared in the interview that Ledger had an “undeniable” energy about him that attracted the filmmaker to casting him in the leading role next to Julia Stiles.

Years later, Ledger was, of course, cast in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. While the actor was finishing up production on the action flick, Junger recalls trying to reach him regarding a script he wrote called 10 Things I Hate About Me. The movie would explore the “myths of suicide.” Here’s what the director recalled his agent, Steve Alexander, told him when he pitched the idea:

The call allegedly was part of Heath Ledger’s final days alive. As Junger continued:

Considering the body of work Heath Ledger had built prior to his death, one has to wonder what we’d be seeing the actor in if he didn’t become a Hollywood star to never make it to 40. If Ledger had not died in 2008, he would have just turned 45 years old back in April.

Junger’s account of Ledger comes as 10 Things I Hate About You continues to be recognized and streamed all the time for those with a Disney+ subscription and Hulu subscription. The movie is a fun Shakespearean spin on The Taming of the Shrew, which also featured Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Allison Janney and Larry Miller. It’s a great movie featuring an enemies to lovers relationship that remains part of Ledger’s memory as a Hollywood star.

Although Heath Ledger’s Joker is frequently talked about when The Dark Knight, he wasn’t the only member of Bruce Wayne’s rogues gallery to appear in it. The Christopher Nolan-helmed feature, which ranks as both one of the best Batman movies and best movies of the 2000s, also chronicled Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent falling from grace and becoming Two-Face. So The Dark Knight is understandably one of the most well-known entries on Eckhart’s filmography, and the actor name-dropped Ledger and Nolan while recently explaining why this movie is so beloved, as well as described it as “beyond entertainment.”

Aaron Eckhart Was Enamored With The Dark Knight Script

Eckhart discussed The Dark Knight while talking about his new movie Chief of Station with Comicbook, and he started off by commending the script that Christopher Nolan wrote with his brother Jonathan, as well as threw in a quick compliment about Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning performance:

Taking place one year after the events of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight followed Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne dealing with a different kind of criminal in the form of The Joker, who wasn’t motivated by things like money, revenge or power, but simply wanted to cause chaos. As this battle between the unstoppable force and the immovable object unfolded, Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s district attorney, slowly descended into darkness and was pushed over the edge by the death of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Rachel Dawes and half his face being horrifically scarred. It’s like Harvey said, “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

Aaron Eckhart Liked How The Dark Knight's Setting Reflected Real Life

Aaron Eckhart continued by talking about how the Gotham City Christopher Nolan and his cast and crew brought to life was so visceral, as this is a place so seeded in crime and corruption that only a vigilante dressed as a bat can steer things back in the right direction. In his words:

By the end of The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent/Two-Face was dead, but rather than let the public learn about how the district attorney killed five people and have his reputation be ruined, Batman agreed to take the fall for the murders, which ultimately led to him retiring from vigilantism for nearly a decade, as revealed in The Dark Knight Rises. While Eckhart’s Batman media experience was a one-and-done affair, it’s good to know that he still looks back fondly on the movie and considers it to be more than just a cinematic good time.

If you’re in the mood now to watch The Dark Knight, it can be streamed with a Max subscription alongside Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises. Otherwise, look ahead to the future with our upcoming DC movies guide.

Hollywood is truly a small world. You never know which actors competed against each other to play some of the most iconic movie characters. But every time I learn something new, like that Jason Statham was wanted to play Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders instead of Cillian Murphy or that Sebastian Stan wanted the Captain America role, I’m totally flabbergasted. Now, I’m shocked once again after Road House actor Jake Gyllenhaal talked about a few movies he was being considered for with stiff competition, including The Dark Knight and the chance to wear the Batsuit.

Gyllenhaal oozed nothing but positivity, good vibes, and dedication to his craft while talking to Howard Stern. When he spoke about going for Batman, he got real about how serious it was for him as he had aced all the initial auditions. Surprisingly, he also revealed that he had the same feelings while auditioning for the role of Christian in Moulin Rouge against Heath Ledger and Ewan McGregor. As he put it to Stern:

Stern mentioned that not getting those roles had to “shake” his confidence, but Gyllenhaal admitted that was never the case. In fact, he said that while he was disappointed, he had too much to be proud of to really get hung up about the rejections. He explained that:

As he continued, all I could notice was that he's all about self-love and celebrating the good things that happened. He got a bit more insightful and explained that he took those as opportunities to really be proud of his skills, the talent others saw in him to even be considered, and understand that other roles would work out. And, honestly, I really dig how he’s all about seeing the glass as half full. He said:

Gyllenhaal still has an extensive CV of fan-favorite movies that is more than impressive. He’s played a wide range of characters including Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist who becomes obsessed with the famed murderer in Zodiac. And, of course, I can’t forget Donnie Darko and his iconic cowboy role alongside Ledger in Brokeback Mountain.

Most recently, he’s taken on the lead role in the Road House remake, playing Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter who ends up working in a bar in Florida. In this one, Gyllenhaal is the highlight in a world that’s all about beautiful beaches and brute strength. It's gotten mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes so far.

Even though we didn’t get to see Jake Gyllenhaal go up against Ledger’s Joker or pine for Satine’s love, the good news is that his future on screen is seemingly limitless. There’s been ongoing chatter about him being the next caped crusader, and while he hasn’t confirmed or denied, he said it would be an honor. He’s also starring in another upcoming action movie by Guy Ritchie, along with playing Iago in Othello on stage. So, we’re going to see a lot more of him in the next few years, and I’m totally excited for that.

You can check out Gyllenhaal’s latest action flick, Road House, with an Amazon Prime subscription. With it, you can also watch some of his other hits like Nightcrawler and End of Watch.

Celebrity deaths have a way to pierce the pop culture landscape, as fans and loved ones alike mourn and honor their legacy. One major example of this is the death of late actor Heath Ledger, who passed away shortly after wrapping his role as Joker in The Dark Knight. The death happened back in 2008, but more information about that time is still trickling out. Ledger was working on a Blink adaptation at the point of his death, and it turns out his father called director Stephen Gaghan at his bedside. The filmmaker has shared this story, being quoted saying "I literally just collapse" from the news. 

While Ledger would be honored with a posthumous Oscar for The Dark Knight (which is available to stream with a Max subscription) his career would have continued if he didn't pass away so suddenly. At the point of his death he was working on an adaptation of Blink, directed by Stephen Gaghan. He appeared on the Development Hell podcast and shared how he found out about the actor's death, saying:

Holy chilling is that? While Ledger's death would have been upsetting no matter what, Gaghan definitely didn't expect to be contacted immediately after his passed away. And hearing from Heath Ledger's father was no doubt an extra shock. 

As he explained in the podcast, Gaghan had gotten very close to Heath Ledger prior to his death. This is partly why he had such a strong emotional response to the actor's sudden passing. Later in that same podcast, he revealed he was with his family in an airport when getting the call, and his hard it hit him. In the Syriana filmmaker's words:

Talk about sobering. This sentiment of disbelief and grief would eventually be shared by his loved ones and fans alike, who were collectively caught off guard when Ledger passed so suddenly. And over a decade later, it's still a devastating celebrity death that folks are mourning, including Gaghan.

In the end, the Blink movie never ended up bing produced without Ledger. We'll just have to see if it ever gets out of development hell. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates.

In an industry often shrouded in the mystique of method acting and eccentric genius, Michael Jai White's reflections on his time working with Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan on the set of The Dark Knight offers a refreshing counter-narrative. White, known for his roles in action movies and his martial arts expertise, shared his insights and experiences from one of the most critically acclaimed and genre-changing superhero movies and easily one of the best movies of the 2000s. His comments shed light not only on Ledger and Nolan's personalities but also on the broader misconceptions about what it means to be a genius in the creative world.

Michael Jai White sat down with ComicBookMovie.com to discuss his latest work, One More Shot, during which he also shared his experience working with Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger. The former Spawn performer played the Gotham City crime boss Gambol (who originally had a different fate) and had some intense scenes with the late Brokeback Mountain star. Contrary to his expectations, he found Heath Ledger as well as his director to be remarkably grounded and without the eccentric personalities often associated with creative brilliance. When talking about the eventual Oppenheimer director, he said:

It's definitely tempting to assume that the enigmatic Tenet filmmaker would be something of an eccentric, especially when there have long been rumors about specific rules he has on his sets. However, it sounds like the experience that the Black Friday alum had with him. 

The sentiments that Michael Jai White shared about the late, great Heath Ledger are also sweet. In White's estimation, the actor -- who eventually won an Oscar for his role -- was regular and fun dude on set. He continued: 

This perspective is especially poignant, considering the posthumous mythology that surrounds Heath Ledger's process (which he documented in a diary) as he prepared to play one of the definitive portrayals of the Joker. Said preparation has often  been conflated with a tortured genius narrative in the years since. Michael Jai White's experience reminds us that profound talent does not necessitate a departure from humanity; rather, it can co-exist with kindness, approachability and a spirit of collaboration. 

Michael Jai White’s One More Shot is now available to rent or purchase on Digital HD. If you want to revisit White’s collaboration with Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight and many other DC movies are available to stream with a Max subscription. 

In 1940, one year after Batman debuted in the pages of Detective Comics #27, a clownish-looking villain named The Joker came to Gotham City to wreak havoc in Batman #1. It didn’t take long for him to become the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis in the comic book pages, to the point that all these decades later, Joker is arguably just as well known as Batman himself. With that fame, of course, has come numerous adaptations of the Clown Prince of Crime, most prominently on the big screen.

To that point, we’re here to rank all the major movie portrayals of The Joker. And to be clear, this list will only be discussing live-action and animated versions of the character who’ve appeared in DC movies that had theatrical runs. There’s a lot more to keep track of if we count the numerous direct-to-video DC movies that have been released, but keeping our scope narrowed to big screen offerings keeps things at a more manageable level.

8. Barry Keoghan

The only reason Barry Keoghan’s Joker ranks in last place on this list is because we’ve barely seen him. He’s only heard and indirectly shown for roughly a minute within the finalized cut of The Batman, and then there was the deleted scene between the villain and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader released shortly after the movie. 

Still, all we know so far about this version of the Clown Prince of Crime is that he’s heavily disfigured, and that he and Batman tangled sometime prior to The Riddler’s reign of terror. No doubt Keoghan’s ranking on this list will be higher if he plays a prominent role in The Batman: Part II, but for now, there just isn’t material to work with and make a proper judgement.

7. Jared Leto

Suicide Squad marked the first time Joker appeared in a movie that didn’t revolve around him fighting Batman, and that was for the best. The execution for the Clown Prince of Crime didn’t work, from the strange choices with his physical appearance (especially that “Damaged” forehead tattoo), to him barely contributing to the story in any notable way, to Jared Leto’s performance not feeling intimidating in the slightest. 

It’s almost as if the actor was trying too hard to play the character weirdly, which he continued to do during his few minutes of screen time in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Let’s breathe a sigh of relief that the Leto-led Joker movie never happened, and that with the DCEU now over, we’ll almost certainly never see him again.

6. Zach Galifianakis

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Zach Galifianakis’ Joker, it’s just that he feels more like a standard baddie in The LEGO Batman Movie rather than one giving off the vibes of Batman’s arch-nemesis. For one thing, this spinoff to The LEGO Movie was, like its predecessor, comedic and chiefly geared towards children, so this Joker was presented as more clownish and goofy rather than sinister and terrifying. 

There’s nothing wrong with that, as it clearly worked for the story being told about Joker enacting his biggest plan yet after learning that Batman didn’t see him as an important villain in his life. But when held up against the other portrayals on this list, Galifianakis’ Joker comes across as generic.

5. Cesar Romero

Like another version of The Joker on this list, Cesar Romero primarily portrayed the character on television, namely the live-action Batman TV series that ran from 1966 to 1968. But shortly after Season 1 aired, Batman: The Movie hit theaters, and as such Romero qualifies for the rankings. 

This movie saw Joker teaming up with Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, and just like the TV show, it leaned heavily into the campy tone. So, while this Joker will appeal more towards people who like the Silver Age of Comics and don’t mind him being more playful rather than a frightening threat, as far as performing this version of the character went, Romero continued to knock it out of the park.

4. Joaquin Phoenix

In 2019, Joker showed audiences how the Clown Prince of Crime’s origin story would unfold if Batman wasn’t around. Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck was depicted as a party clown and failed stand-up comic suffering from mental illness, and a few too many traumatizing events led to his descent into madness and adopting his clown-like criminal persona. 

There’s no question that Phoenix gave a stellar performance, as evidenced by him winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. However, since this is a Joker who’s about as far from his comic book roots as possible, it’s hard to put him above the final three men on this list. Still, there are plenty of people looking forward to seeing more from him in the 2024 movie release, Joker: Folie à Deux.

3. Jack Nicholson

More than 20 years after Caesar Romero hammed it up as Joker on the Batman TV series, Jack Nicholson put a more unsettling twist on the character in Tim Burton’s Batman. Although this version of Joker’s original identity was known from the start rather than kept shrouded in secrecy as is usually the case, knowing that he started out as gangster Jack Napier, who murdered Bruce Wayne’s parents, didn’t detract from watching him become a theatrical lunatic after falling into that vat of chemicals during his first encounter with Batman. 

Granted, there are times where it feels like Nicholson is just playing a more unhinged version of himself, but overall, his performance still holds up quite nicely after all this time.

2. Mark Hamill

As with Caesar Romero, Mark Hamill’s exploits as The Joker are chiefly known from TV, specifically the DC Animated Universe incarnation of the character he voiced in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures and other projects. But because Batman: Mask of the Phantasm shifted from a direct-to-video release to a theatrical one, we can thankfully mention him on this list. 

Not only did Hamill bring the same delightful blend of comedy and terror that he did on the small screen, but because this movie didn’t have to deal with the same broadcast TV restrictions, his Joker was finally able to kill and drop some more suggestive lines. Even just judging Hamill’s Joker within the lens of only this movie, he’s more than earned ranking in second place. It’s also a reminder about what a shame it is he’ll never voice Joker again.

1. Heath Ledger

Anyone who followed along with the news cycle surrounding The Dark Knight’s production will remember that many were skeptical Heath Ledger would deliver a compelling Joker performance, especially once it was revealed this version of the character would look much different than how he’s usually depicted. Well, not only did Ledger prove the doubters wrong, he’s still considered by many to be the definitive cinematic Joker, and he went on to posthumously win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. 

Granted, this version of the villain didn’t drop a ton of actual jokes, but watching him envelop Gotham City in chaos and try to prove that no one is incorruptible not only earns him the #1 spot on this list, but makes him one of cinema’s most iconic villains across all genres.

There will be more actors who play Joker on the big screen in the years to come, and once we see their performances, come back here to see where they rank amongst their cohorts. Until then, use your Max subscription to stream many of Joker’s film and TV appearances, both live-action and animated, to your heart’s content.

As a profession, acting is something that somebody can do at virtually any age, as such few actors ever bother to retire, and simply continue to make films until the day comes that they can't anymore. As such, it's basically impossible to know when a given film will be the last performance of one of the greats. From those who tragically die young to those who continued to work for decades, This is a look at the sometimes surprising final movies by some of the world's biggest movie stars.

A couple of caveats to the forthcoming list. As the title states, we're looking at the final movies that certain actors and actresses worked on, which is not necessarily the last movie that was ever released, as sometimes movies that had been in development earlier get completed years and even decades later. We're also only considering theatrically released films, and not television movies or series. 

Heath Ledger - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus 

Ledger's legacy is most closely tied to The Dark Knight for which he won a posthumous Oscar, but he had already moved on to filming Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus before he died. The script was modified and saw Ledger's character "transformed" at various points, allowing three of Ledger's friends, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Colin Firth to all step in to collectively help complete the movie. 

Marilyn Monroe - The Misfits

Marilyn Monroe's role in the drama The Misfits was not the sort of performance that made her famous, yet her final performance, given more than a year before her death, is considered one of her best by critics today.  Monroe had been involved in another movie, Something's Gotta Give at the time of her death, but so little of the movie had been completed that production was simply halted.

 James Dean - Giant 

James Dean was an up-and-coming star when he died in a single-car accident in 1955. He only made three big screen movies before his death with East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and his final film, Giant which was released the year after his death.

John Candy - Wagons East 

Wagons East sees John Candy as a wagon master who has agreed to take a group of settlers who have decided the West isn't for them back to the East. Candy died of a heart attack during production, and stand-ins were used to finish the film so it could be released a few months later. 

Paul Walker - Furious 7

The death of Paul Walker in a tragic car accident took place during the filming of Furious 7. The movie's ending was modified to give his character a proper sendoff and his brother, along with CGI, was used to recreate Walker's likeness for a final farewell.

Bruce Lee - Enter The Dragon 

Bruce Lee's Game of Death uses a combination of the actor and a double as the martial arts expert passed away before he could finish it. However, all of Lee's scenes were shot prior to the film going on hiatus so he could film Enter the Dragon, making this the final film he shot before passing away. 

Katharine Hepburn - Love Affair

Katharine Hepburn was a four-time Oscar winner when she passed away in 2003. She was largely done with the big screen by the 1980s, but she did appear in a small role in Warren Beatty's Love Affair in 1994, the last year she worked before retiring for good. 

 Brandon Lee - The Crow 

The son of Bruce Lee was well on his way to following in his father's footsteps when his life was tragically cut short. A prop gun on the set of The Crow malfunctioned firing a projectile into Lee, which caused his death. His final scenes were filmed with stand-ins so that the movie could be completed. 

Robin Williams - Absolutely Anything

Robin Williams' death in 2014 broke the hearts of millions of fans. There would be two more chances to see (and hear) him at the movies, however. Williams' final appearance was in A Night at the Museum: Secrets of The Tomb which was released just months after his passing. His final project, however, would be as the voice of Dennis the dog in the Simon Pegg-led comedy Absolutely Anything.

Brittany Murphy - Something Wicked

Actress Brittany Murphy died unexpectedly in 2009 and her death has remained a subject of controversy to this day. Her final performance, in the psychological horror movie Something Wicked would not be seen for years as the film was not officially released until 2014.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 

Phillip Seymour Hoffman was not an actor who often appeared in major franchise movies but two of his final performances would come in the two-part finale of The Hunger Games. Mockingjay - Part 1 would be released shortly after his death in 2014. By that point the majority of his role in Mockingjay - Part 2 had been completed, making his final on-screen performance a year later.

Judy Garland - I Could Go On Singing

While Judy Garland would continue to perform right up until she died in 1969, her last years were spent on stage rather than screen. Her final film role would be in 1963's I Could Go on Singing, where she played a successful singer who attempts to bond with her estranged son.  

 John Wayne - The Shootist 

John Wayne's final film role in 1976's The Shootist was in many ways the culmination of his entire career. In the film, he plays a former Western lawman who is dying of cancer, the same disease that would take Wayne's own life three years after the film was completed. 

 Angela Lansbury - Glass Onion 

Angela Lansbury had the sort of career that many actors can only dream of. She was a beloved star of both the big and small screen. Her final appearance in a movie was on an even smaller screen, as she appears on Benoit Blanc's laptop in Glass Onion, as one of four celebrities that Daniel Craig's detective is playing video games with. 

Chadwick Boseman - Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom 

Few people knew of Chadwick Boseman's colon cancer diagnosis, which made his death in 2020 a surprise to many. His final movie, An adaptation of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom for Netflix would earn the actor a posthumous Oscar nomination. 

Audrey Hepburn - Always

The iconic star of Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady made only a handful of films once the 1960s were over. In her final film, she was directed by Steven Spielberg in one of his largely overlooked dramas, Always, in which she plays a spirit named Hap who sets recently departed Richard Dreyfuss on the right path. 

Marlon Brando - The Score 

Marlon Brando was famously difficult to work with, something that remained true up to his final performance. 2001's The Score reportedly required co-star Robert De Niro to direct his old friend, as Brando refused to be directed by Frank Oz. Brando would pass away in 2004.

Ingrid Bergman - Autumn Sonata

Most famous for the role of Ilsa in Casablanca, Ingrid Bergman starred in Autumn Sonata, written and directed by Ingmar Bergman (while the two get famously confused, there is no relation). She was nominated for her seventh Academy Award for the role. 

Dennis Hopper - The Last Film Festival

Dennis Hopper passed away during during the production of The Last Film Festival, an indie comedy in which he plays a producer who has been blackballed from every other film festival, and thus attends one in a small American town. The movie turned to Kickstarter to raise the funding needed to complete the project, which they did. 

River Phoenix - Dark Blood

For years it seemed River Phoenix's final film would be the country music drama The Thing Called Love. Phoenix was in the middle of filming the movie Dark Blood when he died in 1993, but his death seemingly ended the production. In 2011 the director picked up the unused footage and reedited it into a complete film. Dark Blood was released in 2014, after making a film festival run in 2012. 

Bette Davis - Wicked Stepmother

Bette Davis was one of the all-time greats of the silver screen, but her final appearance was maybe not up to her previous standards, which is why she reportedly left in the middle of filming. 1989's Wicked Stepmother sees Davis as a witch who marries into an unsuspecting family. The plot shifts part way through to focus on the daughter of Davis' character after the All About Eve star left the film.

Vincent Price - Edward Scissorhands

Vincent Price was one of the fathers of the modern horror movie, so it's fitting that his final big screen outing was as the father of Edward Scissorhands, a movie that blended the horror with the heartwarming in a way that only Tim Burton could. 

Sidney Poitier - The Jackal

Sydney Poitier made history as the first Black actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor in 1964. More than 30 years later he would make his final silver screen performance, as the head of the FBI in 1997's The Jackal with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. He did do one last television movie, released in 2001 called The Last Brickmaker in America before retiring from acting. 

Humphrey Bogart - The Harder They Fall 

Humphrey Bogart created iconic screen characters from The Maltese Falcon Sam Spade to Casablanca's Rick. His character in 1956's The Harder They Fall, Bogie's last role, isn't nearly as well remembered, but Eddie Willis, the down-on-his-luck sportswriter who gets involved in a boxing scheme to throw fights is just the sort of character that Bogart did so well.

Natasha Richardson - The Wildest Dream

Natasha Richardson's death from injuries sustained in a skiing accident in 2009 shocked the entertainment world. Her final screen performance where she would be seen was 2008's Wild Child but her final work came as a voice in the documentary film The Wildest Dream which followed the story of the first man who attempted to scale Mount Everest, and the climber decades later who found his body.

Elizabeth Taylor - The Flintstones  

The live-action Flintstones movie does not exist in particularly high regard among fans, but if it is remembered at all it will likely be because it contains the final theatrical appearance of Elizabeth Taylor. She played Pearl Slaghoople, Fred Flintstone's mother-in-law.

Charlie Chaplin  - A Countess From Hong Kong 

Charlie Chaplin was one of the first movie stars the world had ever seen. When he started movies didn't even have sound. By the end they had gained, voice, color, and so much more. 1967's A Countess From Hong Kong is a work of Chaplin's primarily behind the camera, as he wrote and directed the film which stars Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren. However, he does appear briefly on screen, for one final time, in a cameo as a ship's porter.

Alan Rickman - Alice Through the Looking Glass 

Alan Rickman will be forever linked to his role of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise for a generation of movie fans. He made several more movies in the five years after that story ended. The final one, a sequel to Disney's live-action Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass, where he reprised his role as Absolem, the caterpillar.

Paul Newman - The Meercats 

Paul Newman received his ninth Oscar nomination the last time he appeared on screen in 2002's Road to Perdition. His voice would remain in movies, however. In 2006 he would voice Doc Hudson in Pixar's Cars. Two years later he would narrate the documentary film The Meerkats, which would be his final performance.

Natalie Wood - Brainstorm

Natalie Wood spent her life acting. She appeared as a child in the original Miracle on the 34th Street and as an adult she wowed audiences, becoming the youngest actress ever (at the time) to be nominated for three Oscars. She died tragically by drowning in 1981 during a break in filming the sci-fi thriller Brainstorm. The movie was almost canceled, but as Wood had completed most of her major scenes, it was finished and released.

Ray Liotta - Dangerous Waters 

When Ray Liotta died in May of 2023 he was in the middle of filming the thriller Dangerous Waters. The movie would be released that October. Liotta plays the movie's villain, a man known simply as The Captain.

Ginger Rogers - Harlow

Ginger Rogers would become famous as a dancer and the frequent screen partner of Fred Astaire. Her final performance, however, would put her in a very different place. In the 1965 biopic of another great actress, Jean Harlow, Rogers plays the star's mother, who takes advantage of her daughter's fame to benefit herself.

Some final performances of great actors rank among their best. Others are clearly forgotten movies for a reason. Either way, anybody interested in the complete career of some of Hollywood's greatest will want to seek these out, if only to see how the story ends. 

We’ve seen a great number of young actors live long and productive lives, with some continuing to find tremendous success well into their later years. However, there have unfortunately been dozens of cases of beloved Hollywood stars dying before they even reached the age of 40.

Below is a list of actors and actresses from the worlds of film and television whose lives and careers were cut tragically short, as well as the events that led to their early passing.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix, the star of movies like Stand By Me and My Own Private Idaho, was one of the most promising young actors in the latter part of the 20th century. However, his life came to an abrupt end in October 1993 when the 23-year-old died of a drug overdose, according to the Los Angeles Times. The impact of his death can still be felt 30 years later.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe, one of the most well-known actresses of all time, died at the age of 36 in August 1962, after, according to the New York Times, she was found unresponsive in her bed with pills nearby. She was in the middle of production on Something’s Got to Give at the time of her death.

Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin, star of films like Star Trek, Green Room, and Charlie Bartlett died when he was only 27 years old. According to the Los Angeles Times, Yelchin was involved in a freak accident in June 2016 that resulted in him being pinned between his SUV and a security gate at his Studio City home.

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy, who made a name for herself with roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted, has one of the most perplexing Hollywood death stories. According to People.com, the 32-year-old actress passed away in December 2009 as a result of a combination of pneumonia and anemia and multiple drug intoxication.

James Dean

Despite having a career that lasted only five years, James Dean remains one of the icons of Hollywood. Dean was tragically killed in a car accident in September 1955, per the Los Angeles Times, less than a month before the release of Rebel Without a Cause, his most well-known film. He received a posthumous Oscar nomination for his role in East of Eden, which landed in theaters less than six months before his untimely death. 

Heath Ledger

In January 2008, the world was shocked after hearing of the passing of Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28, according to CNN. Ledger would receive a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor the following year for his unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Chris Farley

Chris Farley was and forever will be one of the greatest Saturday Night Live cast members, but like other greats, his life was cut tragically short. Farley, who also starred in movies like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Almost Heroes (released following his death), died in December 1997 from an overdose at the age of 33, according to CNN.

Brandon Lee

In April 1993, at the age of 28, Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, died after being shot on the set of The Crow. According to the New York Times, a blank discharged from the gun during a sequence, hitting the actor who later passed from his injuries. 

Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield, a legendary actress, Playboy model, and entertainer made a name for herself with roles in movies like The Girl Can’t Help It, Promises! Promises!, and The Wayward Bus. Tragically, Mansfield died at the age of 34 after her car slammed into the back of a semi truck in southern Louisiana in June 1967, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Bruce Lee

Many of Bruce Lee’s movies are still considered landmark achievements in the martial arts genre 50 years after his passing on July 20, 1973. For years, the 32-year-old actor’s death was attributed to cerebral oedema (brain swelling), but a study carried by Variety years later proposed that his sudden death was the result of kidneys not being able to excrete excess water.

 Andy Kaufman

Andy Kaufman, the unique actor, comedian, and former women’s wrestling champion of the world, passed away in 1982 when was just 35 years old, according to the Los Angeles Times. However, some still think he’s not actually dead.

Tupac Shakur

Legendary rapper and actor Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas in September 1996, when he was just 25 years old. After years of his murder being an unsolved homicide case, an arrest was finally made in September 2023, according to the AP. It was believed that the Grammy winner was up for the role of Mace Windu, which eventually went to Samuel L. Jackson in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

John Belushi

John Belushi, an early star of Saturday Night Live, as well as movies like National Lampoon’s Animal House and The Blues Brothers, died at the age of 33 in March 1982, per the Chicago Tribune.

Cory Monteith

Glee star Cory Monteith’s life came to a tragic end in July 2013 when he was found dead in a Vancouver, British Columbia, hotel room. ABC News later reported that the 31-year-old actor died of mixed drug toxicity.

Aaliyah

On August 25, 2001, R&B singer Aaliyah was one of several people to perish when a Cessna plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the Bahamas, per NPR. The up-and-coming actress, who had appeared in Romeo Must Die the previous year, was only 22 years old at the time of her passing.

Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate’s murder is possibly one of the most well-known crime stories in the history of Hollywood, as the actress and four others were brutally killed by the Manson family in August 1969, per the Los Angeles Times. Tate, who had appeared in movies like Valley of the Dolls and The Wrecking Crew, was only 26 years old at the time of her death.

Corey Haim

Corey Haim, the star of movies like The Lost Boys, Lucas, and Silver Bullet passed away at the age of 38 in March 2010. According to CNN, the former child actor died of natural causes.

Angus Cloud

Angus Cloud, one of the main stars of HBO’s harrowing drama series, Euphoria, tragically passed away unexpectedly at the age of 25 in July 2023. According to EW, the young actor died as a result of an accidental overdose from the combined use of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.

Freddie Prinze

Freddie Prinze, the father of ‘90s teen heartthrob and former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr., was a star in his own right back in the 1970s. Known for his starring role on Chico and the Man and stand-up comedy, Prinze committed suicide in January 1977, according to the New York Times. He was only 22.

Sal Mineo

Best known for his portrayal of John “Plato” Crawford in Rebel Without a Cause, Sal Mineo was another actor from the 1955 movie to die young. According to the New York Times, the 37-year-old actor was stabbed to death in Hollywood in February 1976.

Cameron Boyce

Cameron Boyce (pictured far-right in the image above) was one of the Disney Channel’s biggest stars in the 2010s thanks to roles on shows like Jessie and Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, as well as the Descendants film franchise. The young actor died in his sleep in July 2019, with Los Angeles-based ABC7 Eyewitness News reporting it was caused by epilepsy. He was 20 years old at the time of his passing.

Bobby Driscoll

Bobby Driscoll, the young child actor who appeared in Disney films like Song of the South before voicing the title role in the 1953’s Peter Pan, suffered what can best be described as a lonely and incredibly tragic death. According to EW, Driscoll died in March 1968 when he was only 31 years old, but at the time, his body was unclaimed and then buried in New York City’s Potter’s Field on Hart Island.

Jonathan Brandis

With big roles in movies like The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, Ladybugs, and Sidekicks, it felt like Jonathan Brandis was everywhere in the early 1990s. However, the former child actor and model wouldn’t survive the next decade, as he committed suicide in November 2003, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was 27 years old at the time of his passing.

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith, who was at the center of the 2023 Netflix series, You Don’t Know Me, led quite the eventful life, one that saw her go from Guess model to Playboy Playmate to B-movie actress to one of the biggest names in reality television. The pop culture figure tragically died in February 2007 when she was only 39 years old. According to the New York Times, her death was ruled an accidental overdose.

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow, one of the defining actresses of the pre-Code era of Hollywood, died in June 1937 when she was only 26 years old. According to the Guardian, the in-demand star had fought internal inflammation for 10 days prior to her sudden and tragic passing.

Heather O’Rourke

One of the supposed victims of the Poltergeist curse, Heather O’Rourke played Carol Anne Freeling in the 1982 horror film and appeared to have a promising career ahead of her at the time. However, six years later, the child actress would die at the age of 12 due a long-standing bowel obstruction, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Lee Thompson Young 

Lee Thompson Young, who appeared on shows like The Famous Jett Jackson and Rizzoli & Isles, had a remarkable career on the small screen throughout his teenage years and early adulthood. But his story ended in August 2013 when he committed suicide. According to TMZ, Young died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when he was only 29 years old.

Brad Renfro

Brad Renfro, the star of movies like The Client, Sleepers, Ghost World, and Bully, died in January 2008 when was only 25 years old. According to People.com, the young actor died of an overdose.

Nelsan Ellis

Nelsan Ellis’ Lafayette Reynolds was one of the best and most unforgettable characters on the long-running HBO supernatural drama series, True Blood, a role that allowed the dynamic actor to show off his remarkable acting talents. Tragically, Ellis died at 39 years of age in July 2017 as a result of heart failure during his attempt to quit his alcohol addiction, according to NBC News.

Ryan Dunn

Ryan Dunn, who rose to prominence on the CKY skate videos and later MTV’s Jackass TV show and movies, was involved in a fatal car crash in June 2011 that claimed his life and that of his passenger, Zachary Hartwell. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dunn, who was 34 years old at the time of his passing, was driving at speeds reaching 130 mph before crashing his Porsche.

Johnny Lewis

Former Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis, who played Kip “Half-Sack” Epps on long-running FX show, died in September 2012 when he was only 28 years old. According to People.com, the actor fell from a building in Los Angeles moments after beating his 81-year-old landlord to death.

Judith Barsi 

Judith Barsi, who voiced Ducky in The Land Before Time and Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven, was killed by her father in a murder-suicide that also claimed the life of her mother, according to the Los Angeles Times. At the time of her death in July 1988, Barsi was only 10 years old. 

Each of these deaths are tragic in their own way, but all leave us asking “what could have been” for these actors whose careers, and lives, were cut tragically short.

The list of Best Picture winners is short, and exclusive, which means that even some of the most acclaimed, decorated, and generally well-liked actors of all time haven't taken home the grand prize at the Academy Awards. You might be surprised by the number of celebrities we have listed below — many of which have Oscars of their own — that have never starred in a Best Picture winner.

Denzel Washington

As one of a few actors who have two Oscars to their name, you might assume that some of the best Denzel Washington movies were also guaranteed a Best Picture win, right? Surprisingly, the star of Glory and Training Day has never made a movie that won the Academy's big prize, but at least he can say that King Kong still ain’t got nothing on him.

Heath Ledger

If what many consider to be one of the Academy’s greatest mistakes (awarding Crash Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain in 2006) had not happened, Heath Ledger’s name would not be on this list. However, the late Australian actor still left behind a stunning legacy only so many actors can dream of. Notably, he won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Joker in one of the best superhero movies, The Dark Knight.

Christian Bale

Five of Christian Bale’s best movies have been nominated for Best Picture (The Fighter, American Hustle, The Big Short, Vice, and Ford v. Ferrari), but to no avail. At least his performance in The Fighter — David O. Russell’s 2010 boxing biopic — earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Robert Downey Jr.

It is already hard enough to believe that Robert Downey Jr. has only two Oscar nominations (for Chaplin and Tropic Thunder), and that none of his many great movies outside of the MCU have achieved the highest honor, either. However, things could change at the 2024 Oscars, given his stunning work in the Oppenheimer cast and the promising chances for Christopher Nolan’s glowing biopic.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette is an extraordinarily talented actor with the accolades to prove it, including an Oscar nomination for 1999’s The Sixth Sense. However, the classic M. Night Shyamalan movie is also one of a few Toni Collette movies to be nominated for Best Picture (also including 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine), but she hasn't been in a winner yet.

Will Smith

From TV sitcoms to sci-fi blockbusters to critically acclaimed biopics, Will Smith’s filmography is pretty extraordinary, but it does not include Best Picture winners. If that does change for him soon, he may be unable to celebrate the honor in person. This is because he has been banned from future ceremonies for the next decade after slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars — which also happened to be the night he won Best Actor for King Richard.

Harrison Ford

Two of Harrison Ford's most iconic characters were featured in two Best Picture Nominees -- the original Star Wars movie, where he played Han Solo, and the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark -- but neither of them won. At least Ford, who does have an Oscar nomination for fellow Best Picture nominee 1985’s Witness, can say those films, among others, made him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

Scarlett Johansson

Some of the most significant films of Scarlett Johansson’s career were Best Pictures nominees — such as her breakthrough role in one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation, and her dual Oscar-nominated performances the same year for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story. Of course, none of these films took home the top prize.

Ryan Gosling

There was a time when it seemed like Ryan Gosling would not be eligible for a list like this when we thought La La Land won Best Picture in 2017. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken envelopes and the real winner was Moonlight. The Barbie cast member was also in the nominated film The Big Short, and there are sure to be more Ryan Gosling movies getting Oscar consideration.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close is one of those actors whose longtime losing streak at the Academy Awards — eight nominations, zero wins — continues to baffle audiences. Add on the fact that none of her best movies have won Best Picture either and the notion becomes simply unspeakable.

Jennifer Lawrence

The Academy loves Jennifer Lawrence — nominating her four times and awarding her the Best Actress Oscar for 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook. However, they seem to like her just a bit more than Jennifer Lawrence’s best movies, none of which have received the Best Picture award.

Julia Roberts

I suppose Julia Roberts’ multiple nominations and one win — for Erin Brockovich — had me convinced that she had been in a Best Picture winner at some point. In truth, said biopic from 2000 is actually the only Best Picture nominee among Roberts’ filmography so far, and it lost to Gladiator.

Meg Ryan

Would you believe that Meg Ryan has never been nominated for an Academy Award? Well, what if I told you that none of her movies — which include some of the best romantic comedies of all time, like When Harry Met Sally — were considered for the top prize either? Some talents just do not get the recognition they deserve.

Laura Linney

Curiously, Laura Linney has been nominated for her performances in 2000’s You Can Count On Me, Kinsey from 2004, and 2007’s The Savages — none of which even received Best Picture nominations. She has been in a Best Picture nominee though — Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River — however, that did not win either.

George Clooney

For a while, George Clooney’s filmography seemed to consist primarily of Best Picture nominees, such as Syriana (for which he won Best Supporting Actor) and Good Night, and Good Luck (which also earned him nods for writing and directing). However, in terms of the Best Picture category, that’s all any of them ever amounted to being; nominee.

Samuel L. Jackson

With a resume as lengthy and renowned as his, you would think Samuel L. Jackson has been in at least one Best Picture winner but he has not… yet. He has starred in quite a few Best Pictures nominees — many of which are Quentin Tarantino movies like Pulp Fiction, for which he received his sole Oscar nomination.

Hugh Jackman

Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables earned eight nominations including one for Best Picture and and another for Best Actor for Hugh Jackman, but those categories were not among the three it did win. At least the Australian X-Men movie star has had the honor of hosting an Oscar ceremony before.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt has won a Golden Globe for Gideon’s Daughters, a Screen Actors Guild Award for 2018’s A Quiet Place, and three BAFTA nominations for The Devil Wears Prada, a special “Rising Star Award” from the same year, and The Girl on the Train. However, never has the Academy given her a nod, nor have any of Emily Blunt’s movies even been nominated for Best Picture.

Jake Gyllenhaal

The fact that Jake Gyllenhaal has only been nominated for an Oscar once — for Best Supporting Actor in 2005’s Brokeback Mountain surprisingly enough -- is crazy. To learn that said LGBTQ+ romance movie is the only film of his to receive a Best Picture nomination is equally baffling.

Matthew McConaughey

Mathew McConaughey has starred in two films nominated for Best Picture — Dallas Buyer’s Club, for which he won his Best Actor Oscar, and The Wolf of Wall Street — which were both released in 2013. Even with favorable odds like that, neither acclaimed drama took home the gold that year.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has been nominated for three Oscars, and she took home one in 2011 for Black Swan. Darren Aronofsky’s twisted tale of ambition gone too far is also the actor’s only film to be nominated for Best Picture.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is one of those actors who was overdue for his Oscar for a long time before he broke the streak with his transformative performance as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Before (and after) his win, the British actor appeared in just a couple of Best Picture nominees — namely Oliver Stone’s JFK and David Fincher’s Mank.  

Amy Adams

The fact that none of Amy Adams’ movies have earned a Best Picture Oscar — despite six being nominated, including American Hustle and Arrival — is not particularly shocking. What is shocking is that the actor also has six nominations of her own and has never won any of them.

Angela Bassett

Years after she was nominated for an Academy Award as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, Angela Bassett made history as the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Marvel movie performance (as Queen Ramona in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Yet, her first Marvel movie, 2018’s Black Panther, is her only Best Picture nominee. 

Jeff Bridges

In addition to taking home an Oscar for Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges has many Best Picture nominees under his belt, from 1971’s The Last Picture Show to Hell or High Water from 2016. Not a single one of them took him the grand prize, but I think the Academy’s biggest misstep in regards to acting legend was not nominating him for playing The Dude in The Big Lebowski.

Michael Caine

Despite two Academy Award wins to his name (one for 1986’s, Hannah and Her Sisters, and the other for 1999’s The Cider House Rules) Michael Caine cannot say he has starred in a Best Picture. Unfortunately, since the 90-year-old actor told The Telegraph that he is “sort of retired now,” he may never receive that honor.

Robin Williams

The late Robin Williams led a tremendous, widely beloved career that really made us laugh, through movies like 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire, as well as cry, like with his Academy Award-winning performance in Good Will Hunting. That 1997 favorite and 1989’s Dead Poets Society are the only two Best Picture nominees he starred in.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry gave a landmark performance in 2001's Monster's Ball which earned her a historic Best Actress Oscar win. However, that film was not nominated for Best Picture, and neither has anything else the actor has starred in.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn has won Best Actor twice -- first for 2003's Mystic River by director Clint Eastwood and second for the title character of the powerful 2008 biopic, Milk. Neither of those acclaimed dramas got a Best Picture win, leaving the Fast Times at Ridgemont High cast member empty-handed in that particular regard.

Sandra Oh

With 13 Emmy nominations to her name, former Grey's Anatomy cast member Sandra Oh is better known as one of the greatest modern actors from the small screen. That would explain why her otherwise impressive big screen career -- which includes Alexander Payne's Best Picture-nominated Sideways -- does not include any grand prize winners at the Oscars at the moment.

Bradley Cooper

The otherwise bewildering fact that none of Bradley Cooper's many Oscar-nominated performances -- such as in 2012's Silver Linings Playbook or 2014's American Sniper -- nor his many Best Picture-nominated films -- including the two aforementioned films -- have resulted in any wins is not particularly a concern of mine. What I am surprised, and concerned, about is the snub for directing A Star is Born, which hopefully gets made up for when the upcoming Netflix movie, Maestro, comes out.

Viola Davis

I am happy that we live in a world in which an actor of momentous talent such as Viola Davis has been recognized and rewarded by the Academy with her Oscar win for 2016's Fences. That alone makes me, at least, content with the fact that there are still no Best Picture winners on her resume as of today.

Perhaps there will come a day when the names on this list change drastically and many of the actors above can say they have been in a Best Picture Oscar winner. For now, just keep cross your fingers and keep your hopes up for the next ceremony.

There’s been a ton of conversation over the past few years about the power of onscreen representation, and it seems like Hollywood is becoming a more diverse place. But there was a time when telling a queer story was a risk, like with Ang Lee’s acclaimed drama Brokeback Mountain. And the Academy Award winning filmmaker recently spoke about the “friction” between stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. What’s more, he reminisced about how the late actor was a “natural cowboy” while filming one of his most iconic roles.

Brokeback Mountain was a groundbreaking movie when it was released in 2005, with both of its leading actors receiving universal praise for their portrayal of gay cowboys in the 1960’s. While they brought their characters’ complicated relationship to life on screen, filmmaker Ang Lee admitted that there was a bit of conflict during the process. As he explained to Empire in a recent interview,

Pretty interesting stuff. In the end this give and take created something explosive on camera, and actually mirrors the way that Jack and Ennis’ relationship plays out throughout the course of Brokeback Mountain’s 134-minute runtime. The movie ended up being a critical darling and Awards Season favorite, although it famously lost to Crash for the Best Picture Oscar. 

Ang Lee’s comments about Brokeback Mountain obviously have more weight given the passing of Heath Ledger. His legacy is tied to the lengths to which he went to transform into his characters, including his Oscar- winning work as Joker in The Dark Knight. And while working on the queer western drama, he clashed with the actor playing his closeted lover, while tending to Michelle Williams who played his wife. 

Later in that same interview, Ang Lee also explained the way that Heath Ledger was able to instantly snap into character when it came to Ennis’ cowboy vibes. Namely because he was comfortable around animals like horses, as Lee shared:

In the end Heath Ledger earned a ton of nominations for his work in Brokeback Mountain, and became the ninth-youngest Academy Award Best Actor nominee at the time. While he didn’t win, he’d end up getting the Oscar posthumously for his Joker. 

Ang Lee’s next movie project Thrilla in Manila is currently in development, with his last movie being Will Smith’s Gemini Man. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year. 

There are many Australian actors who have made it big in Hollywood, including Chris Hemsworth (who famously eventually left LA), Nicole Kidman, Rebel Wilson, Hugh Jackman, and more. Aussie actress Rose Byrne falls into this category as she appeared in several television shows in the ‘90s as well as a handful of low-budget Australian indie films before venturing to Hollywood. The Golden Globe-nominated actress recalled how she has late actor Heath Ledger to thank for helping to pave the way for Australian actors to make it to Hollywood. She also shared fond memories she had with him during her early days in Los Angeles.

In 1999, Rose Byrne and Heath Ledger were two 20-year-old Aussies who arrived in the Las Vegas scene with no idea what was in store for them while promoting their Australian comedy-crime film Two Hands. In an interview with The Independent, Byrne spoke about how The Dark Knight star was an inspiration for Australian actors trying to make it in Hollywood after he nailed the audition for 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You.

Rose Byrne has been a professional actress ever since she was 15 and in her first film role in the black-comedy Dallas Doll. Then, she had small roles in films like Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones as one of Queen Amidala’s handmaidens and Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. And of course we can’t forget her iconic role as Helen Harris in Bridesmaids who competes against another bridesmaid for the bride’s friendship. 

This followed more unforgettable films like when she joined Anna Faris in I Give It a Year as well as landing roles in Neighbors and This is Where I Leave You. The 42-year-old actress has clearly come a long way since her start and it’s nice to know actors like Heath Ledger helped make a name for herself in Hollywood. It has me wondering where Ledger would be now if he'd had the time to have a career trajectory of the same ilk. 

Before all of this, Rose Byrne and Heath Ledger were two outsiders from Australia trying to make it in the tough entertainment industry, the Insidious actress said she felt like living in LA at the same time as Ledger and other Aussie actors was like an adventure. 

Hollywood is still leaving plenty of room for Rose Byrne to show us what she’s got. She’s got a starring role in one of the best Apple TV+ series Physical when an ambitious aerobic instructor goes through the challenges of an unhappy marriage and an eating disorder in 1980s San Diego. We see her self-discovery journey grow as she becomes a lady boss in the fitness industry. Byrne will also have another Apple TV+ series in the works where she reunites with her Neighbors co-star Seth Rogen in Platonic where two friends who had a falling out when they were younger reconnect as adults and try to mend their friendship. 

Today, Rose Byrne has lived in the U.S. full-time for quite some time -- though she later moved to New York where she and her partner Bobby Cannavale were during the pandemic. Her story with Heath Ledger shows that it helps to have friends when you are braving your way in a whole new country in an intimidating industry like entertainment can be. Years later, it's clear the fond memories she made with her Aussie pal have stayed with her. 

Back in 2008, Hollywood and the public at large were rocked by the death of Heath Ledger. No one, of course, was more heavily affected by his sudden passing than his loved ones were, including Michelle Williams. The Dawson’s Creek alum, who shares daughter Matilda with the late star, has occasionally spoken about Ledger since his death. And as of late, she’s opened up about the time right after his death and how fellow actor Jeremy Strong stepped up when it came to her daughter. 

Michelle Williams has been friends with Jeremy Strong for some time now, as the two actors have reportedly known each other since 2004, when they were performing at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Williams discussed Strong and her friendship with him during a wide-ranging interview with Variety. It was during the conversation that she revealed that Strong (along with Williams’ sister and another friend) moved in with her shortly after Heath Ledger’s death. The Oscar-nominated actress explained that the Succession star was a hit with Maltida, as he’d pretend he was a pony and allow her to ride on his back: 

The Venom alum had nothing but praise for her friend, stating that she like many others is “in awe of his talent.” She also defended the actor against the controversial profile, which detailed his seemingly intense acting methods, that was written about him last year. (Other stars like Jessica Chastain and Aaron Sorkin have also spoken on his behalf.) Raising a child under normal circumstances can be difficult, but one can only imagine what it’s like to do so after experiencing such an immense tragedy. 

Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger began dating in 2004 after meeting on the set of Brokeback Mountain, where Ledger was admired by castmates like Kate Mara. Williams gave birth to their daughter in 2005, and the two would eventually break up in 2007. The Academy Award winner died due to an accidental overdose of medication the following year. Ten years later, Williams reflected on his death, specifically expressing sorrow over the fact that her daughter had to grow up without a father. Considering that, it’s easy to see just why she appreciates Jeremy Strong’s presence in the young lady’s life. 

One would assume that it’s not exactly easy for the star to discuss her ex and the effects of his death. Still, despite how difficult that time seemed to be for her, it’s lovely to hear that she had a support system that included Jeremy Strong and others close to her. 

Michelle Williams will next be seen on the big screen in Steven Spielberg’s The Fablemans, one of 2022’s upcoming movies.

Heath Ledger was an extraordinary actor whose film career was taking off to new heights. You may remember Heath Ledger initially for films like A Knight’s Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You. Just when he was getting award recognition for The Dark Knight and Brokeback Mountain, he passed away at the age of 28. Ledger’s co-star from Brokeback Mountain, Jake Gyllenhaal, opened up about what his relationship was like with his co-star while filming the Academy Award-nominated movie.

Jake Gyllenhaal started gaining Oscar recognition at the same time Heath Ledger did through Brokeback Mountain playing two cowboys entering a forbidden relationship with each other during the 1960s and 1970s. He spoke to Vanity Fair about what his own film career has been like and the dedication he and Ledger had to their characters in making Brokeback Mountain together.

Brokeback Mountain may have been considered controversial to some when it came out 17 years ago, ended up being universally acclaimed. When Good Will Hunting director Gus Van Zant was originally going to film the movie, it had trouble getting made because he could not find a strong cast. Big-named actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Ryan Phillippe reportedly all said no at the time. 

Why would all of these A-listers be saying no to a film that tells a beautiful romance story similar to Titanic? After all, Titanic won a number of Oscars including Best Picture, and broke box office records. Jake Gyllenhaal believed there was a stigma occurring during Brokeback Mountain, specifically related to two straight men afraid of playing gay characters. Luckily, Gyllenhaal was the right man for the job as he felt it was important to break the stigma for straight actors and that a small group of people should not have to be the only ones playing these roles. 

While some think the Academy got it wrong picking Crash for Best Picture at the 78th Academy Awards, it got it right over a decade later when Moonlight won a deserving Best Picture win and was the first LGBT film to do so. Even Disney+’s Better Nate Than Ever has raised LGBT awareness in its storyline. All I can say is thank you, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, for breaking the stigma and encouraging more straight actors and studios to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community.

While Jake Gyllenhaal has plenty of memories he will hold dear to him forever, so has another Brokeback Mountain star. House of Cards Kate Mara’s breakout role was actually in Brokeback Mountain playing Heath Ledger’s daughter. She said that working with Heath Ledger was an “amazing experience” and that it was “special” of him to take her under his wing despite only being a few years older than her. Ledger’s death was a tragic loss to Hollywood and fans who grew up watching him over the years. If he was still alive right now, I believe we would have seen him play a number of eccentric, unique roles with years of award buzz to follow him.

If you want to see more of Jake Gyllenhaal, you can see his newest film Ambulance in theaters now and check out our 2022 movie releases to be up-to-date the next time Jake Gyllenhaal hits the big screen.

Actor Heath Ledger has achieved a sort of mythic status when the actor passed away so close to his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. To this day it’s still hard for a lot of fans to believe that Ledger is gone, but there is at least one man who is apparently convinced Ledger is still alive, and it has forced No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal to get a restraining order against him.

TMZ is reporting that Tony Kanal and his family have been harassed for the last several months by a man named George Leonardopoulos. He has come to Kanal’s home multiple times, and has even hopped the fence on the property. Leonardopoulos has also been seen wielding potential weapons including a knife. The reason for the harassment apparently stems from the fact that Leonardopoulos believes that Heath Ledger is alive and is located someplace on the property.

The home where Tony Kanal lives was once owned by Heath Ledger, the Knight’s Tale actor sold the home to the No Doubt performer back in 2005. Leonardopoulos claims he also used to live on the property with Ledger, though it’s unclear if there’s any truth to that. He has apparently told Kanal that he needs to be let onto the property, specifically into the garage, in order to “wake” Ledger.

Needless to say this whole story is quite bizarre. The visits to the home by this man, which started in late January, coincide with the anniversary of Heath Ledger’s death, (April 4, marked Ledger’s birthday as well) which may be part of the reason things started when they did. Beyond that it’s unclear what might have caused this to happen now or why anybody would seemingly be so convinced that Heath Ledger is alive when the unfortunate truth is so clear.

Heath Ledger’s death hit a lot of people hard because the actor was so young. He clearly had a long career ahead of him, and fans still wonder what Ledger might have accomplished had he been able to continue to make movies, but this is taking things to an extreme. 

In this case it would seem the harassment is attached to the house and not the celebrity who lives there. We tend to see this sort of behavior focused on individuals. Alexandra Daddario has recently had to leave her own home in order to avoid dealing with a stalker.

The cops have apparently been called before, and yet these altercations have continued, requiring a restraining order. The order itself will likely not prevent this man from coming back to the house, but it should change the way the police handle the situation if and when that happens.

It’s unclear if this man’s belief that Heath Ledger is alive is just one man’s unfortunate view or part of some larger conspiracy theory. We’ve certainly seen cases where people believe that others, usually celebrities, have seemingly faked their deaths. It’s unknown why somebody would think Heath Ledger would have done such a thing. Hopefully, this person can get the help they need. 

When it comes to relationships, these celebrity couples met on the sets of some of their most famous movies. From romantic films such as The Notebook to action movies like Daredevil, through the power of film, many of these couples were brought together. Here are 25 couples who met on the set of a movie but ended up dating in real life. 

Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams (The Notebook)

While you may know The Notebook as one of the best romance films out there, the two leading stars actually met on the set of the film, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. In an interview with GQ in 2007, Gosling confirmed he was thankful for the movie, as he met her through it despite the fact that their relationship ended.

While they did eventually break up in 2007, no one can quite forget this romance, both on and off screen.  

Emma Stone And Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man Series)

When Andrew Garfield was Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man series, he and his on-screen Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, ended up dating for four years after meeting on the set of the first movie. While they split back in 2015, Garfield recently said that he’s still her biggest fan during an interview with Vanity Fair’s “Little Gold Men” podcast:

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt (Mr. And Mrs. Smith) 

On the set of the spy-movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (which is getting a reboot), Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt met. In an interview with Vogue (via People) in 2006, Jolie confirmed that they developed feelings for each other while filming, but didn’t start thinking of getting together instantly. 

Jolie and Pitt married in 2014, but later filed for divorce.  

Robert Pattinson And Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Series)

The Twilight series was a huge hit for Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, who played Edward and Bella in the adaptation of the popular vampire series, and they began dating after the first Twilight film released in 2008, according to an interview Stewart did with The New Yorker. They did eventually break up. 

Freida Pinto And Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)

The 2011 Academy Award-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, brought together its two stars, Freida Pinto and Dev Patel, after they starred in the film together. In an interview with The Guardian in 2015, Patel talked about his past relationship with Pinto, and how close they were during their time together. 

The pair split in 2014. 

Michelle Williams And Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain)

While filming Brokeback Mountain, co-stars Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger starred as husband and wife, and that love ended up coming off screen when the two began to date. In an interview with GQ in 2012, Williams talked about meeting Ledger for the first time, and how she felt she was always meant to meet him.

The two had a child together, but later separated.

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds (The Green Lantern)

These two are couples goals. Ever since Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively met on the set of The Green Lantern in 2010, these two have been inseparable and eventually ended up getting married. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2021, Reynolds admits they were seeing different people at the time, but their friendship slowly turned into a relationship. 

They’ve been married for several years now, and have four children. 

Eva Mendes And Ryan Gosling (The Place Beyond The Pines)

In The Place Beyond the Pines, the stars of the film, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling ended up getting together. Rumors of them being together popped up originally when they were spotted going on a date to Disneyland (via Us Weekly) in 2011, and now more than a decade later, they’re still together and have two daughters. 

Gosling, in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2016, gushed about his family. 

Elizabeth Taylor And Richard Burton (Cleopatra)

Famed legendary actors Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had a whirlwind romance after filming Cleopatra, which released in 1963. Their love was highly publicized and even turned into a limited series, called Liz & Dick. It spanned thirteen years, eleven films together, as well as two marriages and two divorces, according to Vogue. 

Natalie Portman And Benjamin Millepied (Black Swan)

While filming her Academy Award-winning movie, Black Swan, Natalie Portman met Benjamin Millepied, who is a famous choreographer and co-starred with her. Two began dating and married not that long after in 2012. 

In an interview with People, Natalie gushed about her husband and how much she loved working with him again on a new film, called Vox Lux in 2018.

Matthew Broderick And Jennifer Grey (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

While they may have played siblings in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey were actually entangled in a relationship during their time on set. Jennifer Grey spoke about her relationship with the actor in her memoir, Out of the Corner, and how it was hard to keep it a secret from everyone else. 

Once filming ended, according to the memoir, they separated temporarily before getting back together, and dated in 1988. They were also briefly engaged but called it off not that long after. 

Johnny Depp And Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands)

While they originally met in the lobby of a New York theater in 1989, according to Rolling Stone (via Cheat Sheet), Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder’s relationship only grew more after co-starring in Edward Scissorhands in 1990, so much so that Depp proposed to Ryder only five months into dating. 

However, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1993, Depp confirmed they had split up due to the privacy the media wouldn’t let them have. 

Claire Danes And Hugh Dancy (Evening)

Both Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy met on the set of Evening, according to an interview Dancy did with London Evening Standard in 2013, saying that marriage to the star, as well as fatherhood, is treating him “very well.”

Goldie Hawn And Kurt Russell (The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band)

This long-lasting partnership started way back when in 1966. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell originally met on the set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but it wasn’t until Swing Shift in 1984 that they began dating. In an interview with People, Hawn admits that the two don’t see a point in marriage.  

The pair have been together for 40 years, and recently starred in The Christmas Chronicles 2 together in 2020.  

Taylor Swift And Taylor Lautner (Valentine’s Day)

The ultimate Taylor-ship, actor Taylor Lautner and singer Taylor Swift worked together on the romantic comedy Valentine's Day and were seen out together at sports games (via People). The two reportedly dated for a couple of months before breaking up in December of the same year. 

Channing Tatum And Jenna Dewan (Step Up)

One of Channing Tatum’s best movies led to him meeting Jenna Dewan, his co-star and later wife on the set of Step-Up, as confirmed by an interview Tatum did with Elle in 2013. Tatum admitted that he almost didn’t ask Dewan out because he had just gotten out of a relationship. 

While they share a daughter, the two divorced in 2019.  

Daniel Craig And Rachel Weisz (Dream House)

While the two had actually first met at university together, both Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were brought back together while filming Dream House. Weisz spoke with The Evening Standard in 2018 on her relationship, and how she never thought she would get married, until she started dating Craig. 

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck (Gigli) 

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back together, but their first run at a relationship was while filming Gigli, where the two became close friends, and later began to date after Lopez divorced from Chris Judd in 2003.

Vanessa Hudgens And Zac Efron (High School Musical Series)

The High School Musical series was a huge hit for the Disney Channel, and onscreen love interests, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, turned that love into a long relationship offscreen, according to Hudgens during an interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast (via People) in 2019.

The two were together for five years before breaking up. 

Jennifer Garner And Ben Affleck (Daredevil)

Both Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck first met while filming Pearl Harbor, but started to date after being co-stars in Daredevil, according to an interview with Playboy Magazine in 2017, saying that this set was where they fell in love.

They later married in 2005 and then divorced in 2018. 

Liam Hemsworth And Miley Cyrus (The Last Song)

While filming The Last Song together, Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus became very close, according to Seventeen (via MTV News) where Cyrus said he was her “best friend.” Their relationship was later confirmed after they walked the red carpet together. They were together for years, marrying, before divorcing in 2020. 

Tom Cruise And Nicole Kidman (Days Of Thunder)

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman met at her audition for Days of Thunder, according to an interview she did with Harper’s Bazaar in 2021. The two stars co-starred, fell in love, married in 1990, and then divorced in 2001. 

Zendaya And Tom Holland (Spider-Man Series)

Tom Holland and Zendaya met while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming together, but it wasn’t until closer to the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 that speculation about a romantic relationship between the two seemed to be confirmed. 

Since then, the two have been very public about their relationship, especially when Tom Holland shared a post on Instagram on her birthday, saying that Zendaya was “his MJ.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar And Freddie Prinze Jr. (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. met originally on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer, but didn’t begin to date until 2000, according to an interview Gellar did with People in 2002, saying they weren’t even originally supposed to go on a date - turned into one. 

They have been together for twenty years and have two children. 

Penelope Cruz And Javier Bardem (Jamón Jamón)

The two actually met for the first time as co-stars while filming Jamón Jamón, they wouldn’t get together until they reunited again filming Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a Woody Allen film, according to an interview Javier Bardem did with GQ in 2017, and started dating after filming was done. 

The two have been married since 2010, and have two children. 

There are so many celebrity couples out there - some that have stood the test of time and others that have not. And I’m sure over time, only more and more will start to pop up with even crazier romances. 

The Dark Knight is, without question, one of the most important comic book movies ever made. It is generally regarded as the best Batman movie made to date, and that’s impressive considering no comic book hero has quite the big screen history. However, the movie took on absolutely mythic proportions due to it being released after the death of Heath Ledger, and David Dastmalchian, who worked alongside Ledger in the movie, still thinks about what a special experience that was.

Before David Dastmalchian was appearing in movies from Ant-Man to The Suicide Squad to Dune, he appeared as one of the Joker’s thug’s in The Dark Knight. It was one of Dastmalchian’s first big screen roles, and speaking with Looper, the actor talked about what a great actor, and what a great person, Heath Ledger was, saying...

Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight is one of the all-time greats. It won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Of course, the great tragedy was that it was awarded posthumously, as Ledger died following the completion of his work on The Dark Knight. 

And it shows just how good Heath Ledger’s performance truly was as The Joker. We’ve learned some since his death regarding how involved his process was. It’s almost shocking to hear David Dastmalchian talk about how kind and gentle the actor was, considering that’s about as far from the character he played as you could possibly get. 

Heath Ledger was certainly a great talent that fans lost far too young. We can only imagine what sorts of performances he would have given had he been with us longer. There’s a good chance he would have added to that Oscar. 

For his part, David Dastmalchian has become a great actor in his own right, and with a number of roles in high profile films, we will certainly continue to see him impressing us with his skills as well. The experience that Dastmalchian had making The Dark Knight has certainly left its mark. 

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Val Kilmer has been a major player in Hollywood for nearly 40 years now, but it seems like the Juilliard-trained actor never really got to tell his story until the release of his Val documentary. One of the best movies on Amazon Prime, this personal journey through Kilmer's life, career, and battle with throat cancer is told through decades of personal footage that the actor captured at home, on the sets of some of his biggest movies, and other places around the world that are near and dear to his heart.

After finishing Val, you may be wondering about other documentaries to watch that capture some of the same energy or break down the barriers actors, singers, and other celebrities put around themselves. Below is a collection of some of the best documentaries that fit that mold, as well as where you can watch some of the movies featured in Val in case you’ve never seen them before or just want to go back for a rewatch…

Kid 90 (Hulu)

The 2021 Hulu documentary Kid 90 follows Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye as she examines thousands of hours of personally recorded video dating back to the late 1980s, though it spends the majority of its runtime detailing her post-sitcom life in the early 1990s, including being young and in love in New York City. By exploring her own troubled past, grief, and the meaning of life, Frye provides audiences with a stripped down and unfiltered glimpse into her chaotic journey.

Why it’s worth checking out: Just like Val Kilmer, Soleil Moon Frye has long been obsessive about capturing nearly every moment of her life on film and Kid 90 does a remarkable job of turning boxes and boxes of videotapes into a moving story of a young woman trying to discover who she is and what she wants to be.

Stream Kid 90 on Hulu.

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (HBO Max)

Released four years after the shocking August 2014 death of the comedy legend, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind is a hilarious, heartbreaking, and intimate examination of the late icon and his journey from a fledgling standup comedian to one of the biggest figures in pop culture. Told mostly through his own words (which are played over rare or never-before-seen footage) paint a beautiful picture of this warm soul.

Why it’s worth checking out: Like Val, Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind is just as much of a time capsule as it is a moving documentary film and takes viewers through multiple periods in the comedian-turned-actor’s life and career, pulling back layer after layer to expose the beating heart behind the energetic and charismatic figure.

Stream Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind on HBO Max.

Rent Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind on Amazon.

I Am Heath Ledger (Hoopla)

The 2017 documentary I Am Heath Ledger takes footage the late actor compiled on his personal video camera throughout his life and career and paints a brilliant portrait of the artist whose fire was extinguished far too early. Supplemented with interviews of those who knew Ledger better than anyone else, this eye-opening exploration of the actor’s spirit.

Why it’s worth checking out: Much like Val, I Am Heath Ledger helps show a side of Academy Award-winning actor that goes beyond movie star and instead into the realm of endearing and expressive artist who lived his life full of passion, love, and a desire to never stop learning or caring.

Stream I Am Heath Ledger on Hoopla.

Rent/Buy I Am Heath Ledger on Amazon.

Miss Americana (Netflix)

One of the best movies on Netflix, Miss Americana follows Taylor Swift as she completes her massive Reputation Stadium Tour and begins work on her Grammy-nominated album Lover, while also showing a more emotional and raw side of the pop star that has rarely been seen before. This emotional and transformative journey also sees Swift pull back her armor to expose her struggles and feelings on the world around her.

Why it’s worth checking out: There is something about documentaries like Miss Americana and Val that tell you more about a person in a couple of hours than you have known for years watching them on stage or on the screen. Both are highly intimate and shed a light on each artist that shows them as real people and more than just performers.

Stream Miss Americana on Netflix.

Amy (Showtime)

The 2015 documentary Amy details the unparalleled rise to fame experienced by British jazz-pop vocalist Amy Winehouse as well as how that the chaos of a life in public view can have an impact on someone. Released four years following her shocking death in July 2011, this personal exploration of Winehouse’s spirit and legacy is at times extremely uplifting while at others a sad cautionary tale.

Why it’s worth checking out: Hearing someone’s story being told through their own words is just one thing Amy and Val have in common. These two touching documentary films also show artists in crisis and how they try to not lose touch of who they are in the midst of superstardom.

Stream Amy on Showtime.

Rent/Buy Amy on Amazon.

Madonna: Truth Or Dare (Amazon Rental)

One of the most iconic music documentaries of all time Madonna: Truth or Dare follows the legendary pop star at the height of her fame: during the famous 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. With a combination of footage from on stage as well as behind the scenes, the documentary shows all the different sides of Madonna and how she made the most of her fame and power during one of the craziest periods of her life.

Why it’s worth checking out: When Madonna: Truth or Dare was released in 1991, it was loved by fans and revered by critics for the way it helped demythologize Madonna the superstar and show the caring, loving, and highly driven woman behind the persona. Thirty years later, Val doe something similar in showing a more vulnerable side of one of Hollywood’s leading men.

Rent/Buy Madonna: Truth or Dare on Amazon.

Real Genius (Amazon Rental)

One ‘80s movie that is due for a revisit at some point, Real Genius follows Pacific Tech freshman Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) during his freshman year of college, but the real star is his senior roommate Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), a brilliant scientist who is a charming and funny as he is smart. While working on a laser project that is believed to be impossible, the unlikely pair become close friends.

Why it’s worth checking out: Touched on briefly in Val, this 1985 comedy sees a young and on-the-rise Val Kilmer, one that you want to go back and revisit after seeing where his head was at during this stage in his career.

Rent/Buy Real Genius on Amazon.

Top Gun (1986)

Tony Scott’s Top Gun may be an overly-macho love letter to the military-industrial complex, but there are plenty of reasons this 1986 summer blockbuster is still one of the most talked about, quoted, and beloved action movies of all time. Centering on the rivalry between Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Iceman (Val Kilmer) this quintessential ‘80s movie sees the two hotshot pilots duke it out at the most prestigious fighter pilot school.

Why it’s worth checking out: A large chunk of Val is devoted to the making of Top Gun, and for good reason. This was the movie that took everyone involved, including Val Kilmer, to the next level. And after learning about how Kilmer added his own flash to the character of Iceman, you know want to revisit this classic.

Stream Top Gun on Starz.

Rent/Buy Top Gun on Amazon.

Willow (Amazon)

Directed by Ron Howard, the 1988 fantasy film Willow tells the story of an unlikely hero named Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) as he is tasked with breaking free of the doldrums of everyday life to protect a young child from forces of evil. Though a seemingly impossible task, Willow’s journey is made all the more achievable thanks to the swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer).

Why it’s worth checking out: In Val, it is revealed that Kilmer met his ex-wife Joanne Whalley on the set of Willow (a few years after he couldn’t get the nerve to talk to her in London), which starts the next chapter of his life. There is that reason as well as the fact that this fantasy story is one of the best of its kind.

Stream Willow on Amazon.

Rent/Buy Willow on Amazon.

The Doors (HBO Max)

Oliver Stone’s 1991 biographical drama The Doors tells the story of the seminal American rock band and its free-spirited frontman Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer). Not holding anything back in its portrayal of the late rock and roll singer, the film focuses on what made Morrison the legend fans love years after his death as well as part of his personality that drove away those who knew and loved him the most.

Why it’s worth checking out: In Val, it is shown just how much Val Kilmer (and his young family) sacrificed while he was preparing to take on the role of Jim Morrison, which pushed everyone to their limits and then some.

Stream The Doors on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy The Doors on Amazon.

Tombstone (Amazon)

Released in 1993, the western epic Tombstone tells the tale of Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), his two brothers, and best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), as the gang attempts to settle down and clean the boomtown of the ruthless Cowboy gang and its deplorable and lawless ways.

Why it’s worth checking out: There are few movies that get discussed in Val as much as Tombstone, and there’s a good reason for that: it’s one of Val Kilmer’s best movies. On top of that, it is also one that we associate Kilmer with the most today, a point that is proven with the Tombstone festival the actor attends near the end of the documentary.

Stream Tombstone on Amazon.

Rent/Buy Tombstone on Amazon.

The Island Of Dr. Moreau (Amazon Rental)

Based on H.G. Wells’ novel of the same name, the 1996 sci-fi horror movie The Island of Dr. Moreau follows United Nations negotiator Edward Douglas (David Thewlis) as he becomes stranded in a community of ghastly creations from the mind of mad scientist (Marlon Brando) that go beyond terrifying.

Why it’s worth checking out: Although panned by critics and avoided by audiences, The Island of Dr. Moreau did give Val Kilmer the opportunity to work with his hero: Marlon Brando. This is shown in great detail throughout Val, even if production on the movie was a literal nightmare.

Rent/Buy The Island of Dr. Moreau on Amazon.

And this is just the beginning of all the movies worth checking out after taking in Val. The documentary sheds so much light on Val Kilmer’s various projects over the years and really gives you a better understanding of the artist behind the man.

Paul Walker may be gone but his influence on the franchise that made him famous, the Fast and Furious series, can still be felt, even years later. Walker will forever be associate with the role of Brian O'Conner, which he played in six different films. One cannot think of the franchise without thinking about the actor, which makes it that much more unbelievable that if things had shaken out a little differently 20 years ago, it's possible Walker might have never been in The Fast and the Furious. He almost had the lead in A Knight's Tale.

20 years ago we saw both the first Fast and Furious movie and a small movie starring a largely unknown actor, Heath Ledger, in a movie that mashed up modern elements with a period knights in armor romance. Ledger would go on to become a star and A Knight's Tale would become something of a cult hit. However, writer/director Brian Helgeland tells Variety that there was one other actor who was in serious contention for the role of William Thatcher, Paul Walker. In the end, Walker's nationality was the main reason he didn't get the gig. Helgeland explains...

Since both the first Fast and Furious and A Knight's Tale would be released the same year, Walker getting the role in A Knight's Tale would have certainly kept him from appearing opposite Vin Diesel, which means he not only doesn't make that first movie but Walker would have missed out on the entire franchise.

It certainly makes one wonder how things could have progressed if Paul Walker had played the lead in A Knight's Tale. Somebody else gets to play Brian O'Conner and become a major part of the Fast & Furious franchise. Assuming of course that person wanted to come back and make sequels. The entire franchise could have progressed quite differently with somebody else in that role.

And Brian Helgeland is almost certainly correct that Paul Walker would have still been a star, so in this parallel universe he goes on to make other movies instead of Fast and Furious sequels and his career goes off in an entirely different direction as well. Who knows what movies he would have made?

Of course, it can't be overlooked that we lost both these actors far too young. Heath Ledger died in 2008 and Paul Walker died in 2013. We're all missing out on some great performances we'll never get to see because they're gone. In the end, we can be glad we got to see both great talents at all, and probably in the right movies.

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of Baz Luhrmann’s jukebox musical Moulin Rouge, so naturally it’s time for some behind-the-scenes reflection. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor’s Christian and Satine have gone down in history as a memorable pairing, sending off fireworks of chemistry, especially in their song “Come What May.” While the movie was being cast, the role of Christian nearly went to The Dark Knight star Heath Ledger.

The late actor was attached to playing the lead role at one time, when he was just 20 years old. Nicole Kidman, who was 13 years older than Heath Ledger, had already been locked in as Satine. Director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann recalled the casting decision to news.com.au:

As it turned out, despite the age gap, Heath Ledger and Nicole Kidman were a great match together for Moulin Rouge too. However, it did come down to their steep age difference, to which Baz Luhrmann started thinking about Ewan McGregor. Luhrmann continued to the Australian site with the following:

The rest was history. Of course, it’s never easy to imagine another pairing when you put together one as iconic as Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor pulled off, but it would have been great to see Heath Ledger in a musical and alongside the talented Nicole Kidman. It’s perhaps even more of an intriguing idea considering there were a lot of different roles Ledger assumedly missed out on when he tragically died at the age of 28 back in 2008.

Heath Ledger was most famously The Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, for which he received a posthumous Oscar for in 2009. But along with that, he also dabbled in all sorts of genres, between the rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the period comedy A Knight’s Tale, the American Revolution drama The Patriot and, of course, Brokeback Mountain.

Interestingly enough, a 22-year-old Jake Gyllenhaal, who was Heath Ledger’s love interest in Brokeback Mountain, was reportedly in the mix for Moulin Rouge as well over 20 years ago, but he likely posed a similar problem to Ledger. You can relive Moulin Rouge over on Disney+ right now, alongside an exciting list of new releases coming to the streaming service this month.

Baz Luhrmann’s next epic will showcase Austin Butler’s Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as the rock star’s manager. It is expected to come to theaters June 3, 2022.

Ever feel like the ‘90s were just ten years ago? That’s a delusion I like to live in, but it seems like anytime there is a bombshell of a throwback I get jerked out of that false reality. This time, it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt snapping me back to 2021 with his 10 Things I Hate About You tribute photo he recently posted to celebrate the anniversary of the iconic film. Levitt’s photo shows a child version of himself with a young Heather Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Larisa Oleynik in all their ‘90s glory.

If it were the photo alone, I’d be elated. However, in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s caption he mentions how it’s been over 20 years since 10 Things I Hate About You was released. Yes, the math makes sense, but that just doesn’t sit right with me. Check out Gordon-Levitt’s heart-warming, yet soul-crushing, anniversary post below:

While the photo of the four actors screams ‘90s with the jump poses and platform flip flops, there is something timeless about the film and how the actors look in it. I was only 5 when 10 Things I Hate About You came out but I know I watched the film in High School and it felt like the film was brand new - and I know I’m not alone in that experience. It seems like everyone my age also watched the film when they were in High School and it remains one of their favorite films to this day.

I don’t know anything about kids in High School currently, but the comments on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s post seem to imply the same experience is happening to kids now. Other people who grew up loving the film are saying their High School aged kids have seen the movie and love it, one commenter saying their 16-year-old daughter loves it.

In fact, people of all different generations (okay, maybe there are no baby boomers present) are commenting saying 10 Things I Hate About You is one of their favorite films ever and have some kind of fond coming-of-age experience with it.

It’s rare to come across a film that can hold such a special place for so many different people at so many different times. 10 Things I Hate About You seems to be a film that defies all time, and becomes brand new for each generation. It’s almost like Joseph Gordon-Levitt has glitched the time loop by pointing out how old the film really is, even though he has clearly aged out of the kid he is in the film.

Even though so much has changed since the release of 10 Things I Hate About You and the actors have moved on in so many ways (RIP Heath Ledger), it’s refreshing that the film can hold a place in time for them and act as a kind of right of passage for new generations. Joseph Gordon-Levitt may have posted a great throwback, but this film is still very much relevant.

Imagine getting one of your first big roles in a movie -- and having your on-screen partner be one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood. That was Kate Mara’s experience with Brokeback Mountain after she was cast to play against Heath Ledger. The experience was certainly memorable -- and, luckily, one that she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to forget.

Brokeback Mountain wasn’t Kate Mara’s first professional acting role but in many ways, was a breakthrough role for her. She played Alma Jr., the daughter of Heath Ledger's Ennis Del Mar -- but despite having a smaller role, she found the experience of filming to be memorable and rewarding. On the Watch What Happens Live After Show, Kate Mara revealed what it was like to work with Heath Ledger and discussed the unusual circumstances they found themselves in on set:

Heath Ledger was in his mid-20s when Brokeback Mountain was filmed -- in other words, less than a decade older than Kate Mara. When she shows up at the end of the film, Ennis is supposed to be roughly 40 years old, which the filmmakers and Heath Ledger pulled off using a combination of styling and subtle changes in the way he carried himself. Still, it’s funny to consider the small gap in their ages when you remember their on-screen relationship.

More importantly, it’s nice to hear that the late actor was supportive of Kate Mara while they were filming, especially since she didn’t have much experience on set. By that point, Heath Ledger was a well-known actor, thanks to roles in movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, The Patriot and A Knight’s Tale. So it’s easy to see why having someone so well known would be a huge help to someone who was new to making movies on such a big scale.

Despite his experience, Brokeback Mountain would end up being a huge milestone in Heath Ledger’s career, too. While it was controversial in some circles, its portrayal of a romantic relationship between two men was groundbreaking, and it was both a commercial and critical success. Heath Ledger’s performance ultimately resulted in his first Academy Award nomination.

It was, unfortunately, the only time the two actors worked together. Heath Ledger died less than three years after Brokeback Mountain was released. Kate Mara went on to enjoy a busy career with starring roles in everything from American Horror Story and House of Cards to Fantastic Four and The Martian. Next, she’s starring in the FX on Hulu series, A Teacher.

The Queen’s Gambit has dominated Netflix viewership since the miniseries dropped last week, drawing subscribers into Elizabeth Harmon’s long game of chess within the period piece. The story is based on a 1983 novel by Walter Tevis, and a scripted adaptation has been in the works since the ‘90s. Interestingly, it also turns out the late Heath Ledger was, at one point, a key pawn in Hollywood’s plans to adapt the book.

The Netflix show’s co-creator, Allan Scott, obtained the rights to the book and started writing a screenplay for Queen’s Gambit nearly thirty years ago, but his meeting with Heath Ledger was an especially exciting time for the project. He tapped the Dark Knight actor as the director of a movie version back in 2007 and he reportedly passed the screenplay along to Ellen Page in the hope that she would play the role that eventually went to Anya Taylor-Joy. Check out Scott’s comments about the project:

Per The Independent, the original plan was for the actor to make his directorial debut at the end of 2008 with The Queen’s Gambit. It would have been an intriguing and high-profile project for Heath Ledger after his performance as Joker in The Dark Knight. As you likely know, things took a tragic turn, as Ledger died of an accidental prescription pill overdose on January 22, 2008. Here are more details about the previous version of Queen’s Gambit:

The Queen’s Gambit discusses Elizabeth Harmon’s addiction to pills and alcohol, starting with her time at an orphanage where she becomes addicted to tranquilizers on a near-fatal level. While the project was originally being developed as a film, Heath Ledger was reportedly struggling with insomnia and turning to medication to help him. There’s a tragic connection here between Queen’s Gambit and Ledger, but one that the actor wanted to bring light too as a first-time feature director.

The Queen’s Gambit, at the very least, did make it to the screen and is currently the No. 1 trending title on Netflix. Back in 2008, the idea of a Netflix miniseries would not even be possible in Hollywood. Now, the longer format allows the series to bring the book to stunning life and go into great detail about Elizabeth Harmon’s story. It perfectly chronicles her journey, from her days as a young 10-year-old chess prodigy to her dominance as a woman competing with chess players from all over the world. And even more impressively, it does all of this while highlighting the subject of addiction.

Stayed tuned to CinemaBlend and check out what movies and TV shows are coming next on Netflix in November.

Most fans of The Dark Knight can recall their first time watching the movie in the theater, as the experience was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. But at the time, they probably didn’t know how it would radically alter superhero movies forever. Now, 12 years later, they’re celebrating its anniversary with some excellent tributes:

The Dark Knight officially released in theaters on July 18, 2008. The Christopher Nolan-directed film would go on to become the highest-grossing box office movie that year, raking in roughly over a half a billion dollars.

It’s hard to believe it has already been 12 years since The Dark Knight blew everyone away with breathtaking cinematography, incredible action, and awe-inspiring performances. Back then, the MCU was in its infancy. Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk had only just released a few months before The Dark Knight. Though with the images fans are sharing, one is reminded that The Dark Knight was already giving us more than our fair share with the superhero genre:

Comic book movies were in a totally different state at that time, though. X-Men, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four had been around for some time, but their tones still included somewhat silly and campy aesthetics. With this, there were many that didn't take them seriously within the superhero genre.

The Dark Knight helped inspire comic book movies to move toward a more grounded tone that takes itself a touch more seriously. Overall, it helped turn heads and make people realize the comic book genre could be something more. This was immediately evident with the film's opening sequence:

Perhaps one of the most iconic and hallmark performances in The Dark Knight is Heath Ledger’s Joker. From the pencil trick scene to his conversation with Harvey Dent, his chaotic and unpredictable portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime has inspired countless one-liners, memes, and callbacks. Heath Ledger received a posthumous Oscar for the outstanding, show-stealing performance, and fans are still taking the time to make note of the late actor's work.

The Dark Knight was followed up by The Dark Knight Rises four years later. With The Dark Knight becoming an instant classic, it was tough to follow up. Still, while The Dark Knight Rises doesn’t fully live up to The Dark Knight’s magic, it still had some iconic moments of its own.

With The Dark Knight trilogy being so popular and considered a masterpiece today, many fans have wondered why Christopher Nolan didn’t continue the franchise. He easily could have made more movies afterward. But according to Christian Bale, Nolan only worked one movie at a time and never intended on making any more than three Batman movies.

Still, even if Christopher Nolan didn’t make more Batman movies, his influence can be felt on many of the DC movies after. He helped write and produce Man of Steel, a Superman movie starring Henry Cavill, and his dark and serious tone is written all over Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

While most superhero movies back then haven’t aged too well, The Dark Knight has aged like fine wine and will likely forever be considered a superhero masterpiece that elevated the genre.

Death is never an easy thing, especially when it's unexpected. That's almost always the case with a movie loses an actor or actress, and oftentimes a death during production can lead to changes that alter the way movies move forward.

The following are some of the more famous cases in which productions had to deal with an actor's death, and how it impacted the movies. To be clear, these aren't all the times an actor or actress has died while a film is in production, and no offense is meant to any names left on or off the list.

Gladiator

Actor Oliver Reed passed away while filming for Gladiator, and in quite an odd way. While the movie was filming in Malta, Reed, a known alcoholic, challenged some sailors to a drinking competition and died in the bar after having a disputed amount of drinks. Director Ridley Scott has said it was a couple of pints, but other publications have said Reed consumed eight pints, in addition to several shots of various liquors. In either case, some of Reed's scenes as Proximo had to be finished with CGI and body doubles. The result, surprisingly, is phenomenal for the technology available in 2000.

Furious 7

Furious 7 decided to halt production for multiple reasons when star Paul Walker died in a car accident, both to grieve and rethink the movie. Up to that point, Walker had played been one of the central characters of the franchise, and with so many key scenes left to shoot, James Wan and writer Chris Morgan opted to change the focus of Brian's direction to becoming a family man. The subplot gave the writers the perfect send off to Brian O'Connor, as well as a tasteful tribute to Walker in light of his death.

Plan 9 From Outer Space

Unlike a vast majority of the entries on this list, Bela Lugosi's scenes for Plan 9 From Outer Space were shot before his death. The weird part here is that Plan 9 From Outer Space didn't exist when those scenes were shot, and director Ed Wood worked a compilation of random scenes he had filmed with the actor into the script. In doing so, Wood was able to promote the movie as Lugosi's last movie and attracted bigger names to Plan 9 From Outer Space as well. However, Wood still needed additional scenes for Lugosi's character when filming got underway, so he brought in his wife's chiropractor (a man with no acting experience and was taller than Lugosi) as a stand-in.

The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

Director Terry Gilliam assumed The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus was done for when he received word of Heath Ledger's death, mainly because Ledger's appearance was tied to much of the film's funding. Once production resumed, Gilliam was able to finish the movie with a new idea that Ledger's character would change appearance across realities, and with the help of actors with a connection to Ledger: Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Gilliam had no shortage of actors who wanted to stand in for Ledger, but he had to turn away folks like Tom Cruise because he felt it wrong to include those who hadn't personally known the actor.

Game Of Death

Bruce Lee's Game Of Death is a unique situation, in that Robert Clouse's version was a revamped version of a Hong Kong film that Lee was in the process of making when he died. The movie used footage of Lee's original version, but had revamped other parts in which Lee's intentions for the plot were unclear or to accommodate the fact he wasn't around for reshoots. Body doubles and a cardboard cutout of Lee's face were used to try and create the magic of bringing the actor back to life on screen, but even by the late '70s effects standards, the attempt is pretty shoddy.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Philip Seymour Hoffman tragically passed away with just a week left of filming in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2. While most of his scenes between Part 1 and 2 were filmed, there were still a couple of major scenes from his character that had not been finished. Originally it was announced the movie would attempt to digitize Hoffman, but those on the production later changed their mind. Instead, Plutarch's final conversation with Katniss was read by Haymitch in the form of a letter.

The Crow

Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, sadly suffered the same fate as his father by dying amidst the production of a Hollywood feature. The Crow star had only three days left of filming and was shooting the flashback scene in which Eric is first killed. Unfortunately, the gun was not properly checked, and due to circumstances that had happened in previous fires, there was a discharge that struck Lee in the abdomen similar to if an actual bullet hit him. He died later in surgery, and the movie was completed with the use of CGI and his stunt double.

Brainstorm

Brainstorm was already in trouble at the time of Natalie Wood's death, and with that news, MGM attempted to shut down the movie completely. The movie would eventually release with Wood's sister stepping in as a body double, though Brainstorm did not generally get good reviews. The legacy of Wood's death has somewhat outlived the legacy of the movie, with the circumstances behind her death considered a mystery to this day. Wood passed away after drowning on a yacht with her husband Robert Wagner and Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken.

Twilight Zone: The Movie

The death of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen, has lived on as a catastrophic failure of Hollywood safety procedures. The actor and the children were killed when a helicopter spun out of control thanks to pyrotechnic explosions that were placed too close together. The accident resulted in an investigation and trial, and dissolved the relationship between directors John Landis and Steven Spielberg. Landis and the crew were ultimately acquitted of manslaughter charges for the accident, though Landis was admonished for circumventing child labor laws that would've otherwise guaranteed the children would not have been in the scene. Twilight Zone: The Movie was still released, and the segment with Morrow's story was changed to have a different ending than what was intended.

Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest news happening in movies and television, especially as productions continue to change dates and deal with halts in production.

Heath Ledger’s death sent shockwaves through Hollywood -- it was the kind of tragic event that still feels raw. But for those who knew and worked with him, the pain of losing him was much greater. According to The Dark Knight’s editor, it was especially tough to learn of his death so soon after they had wrapped filming.

Lee Smith has worked as a film editor for more than 30 years on films like Spectre, 1917, Interstellar, and Inception. In 1999, he first got to know Heath Ledger when he edited Two Hands, an Australian indie comedy he starred in before his Hollywood breakthrough. In the following years, Lee Smith’s career also took off. As a frequent collaborator of Sam Mendes and Christopher Nolan, he’s earned three Oscar nominations, and won one for Dunkirk.

The first Christopher Nolan film that Lee Smith worked on was Batman Begins. He came back for the second installment of the director’s Dark Knight Trilogy, and was pleased to encounter Heath Ledger once again -- and blown away by his performance as the Joker, as he told WTOP:

Lee Smith remembers what a shock it was when Heath Ledger, 28, passed away in January 2008 -- especially since they had worked together so recently and Smith was in the middle of post-production, editing footage of Ledger:

Though filming on The Dark Knight had been completed at the time of Heath Ledger’s death, Lee Smith’s work as an editor was not yet done. That meant he was responsible for helping to put together the footage of what would be one of his final performances on film. After The Dark Knight was released, it was met with near universal acclaim, with particular attention paid to Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker. He ultimately earned a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Lee Smith, too, was nominated for an Oscar for his editing of The Dark Knight.

Prepare to get chills watching "Batman: The Three Jokers" trailer, a fan-made video combining almost everything DC fans have loved about the movies and the comics.

It's essentially a Joker sequel, picking up from Joaquin Phoenix's 2019 movie, but also bringing in the late Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight and Jared Leto's Joker from Suicide Squad -- plus Ben Affleck's Batman, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, Amy Adams' Lois Lane, and even Jack Nicholson! Not in full Joker makeup from the 1989 Batman movie, but billed as "Joe Chill" in the YouTube credits, for the Gotham City mugger who killed Bruce Wayne's parents.

Here's what YouTuber Eli Q created in a 2:46 minute trailer:

Ballpark: How much money would this movie make in theaters? I'm going with $2 billion. Well, it's really priceless because there's no way it could happen, especially with Heath Ledger no longer with us to bring back his Oscar-winning character.

Here's the synopsis Eli Q shared with the fan trailer:

The video has taken off in the past couple of days, but I don't think it's even being appreciated enough.

The timing is great, too, and not just because Joaquin Phoenix picked up an Oscar for Joker earlier this month. DC fans are also awaiting Batman: Three Jokers by Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok. Artist Fabok warned that the ending is going to "cause quit the stir":

This isn't the first time fans have tried to bring the various DC universes together on the big screen. Just last week we saw a cool fan poster with Joaquin Phoenix's Joker and Robert Pattinson's Batman. That was based off new images from The Batman set, where Pattinson is just starting to film his first movie as the Caped Crusader.

But there are no current plans for those characters to combine universes, just like Ben Affleck has no plans to return as Batman, Jared Leto is apparently out as the Joker -- fans are the only ones adding his Joker to anything anymore -- and of course Heath Ledger. The loss of Heath Ledger on every level is incalculable.

There have been talks, but just talks at this point, about a Joker sequel for Joaquin Phoenix. And we do know we'll see Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn again. We can see her right now in Birds of Prey but she'll also be in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, which just wrapped filming with a photo that shows Harley front and center.

What do you think of this "Three Jokers" trailer? Would you have gone to see this movie, after watching that trailer? (Anyone who says no should head straight to Arkham Asylum.)

Todd Phillips’ Joker movie has solidly been at the forefront of the awards conversation this year, and much of that is thanks to Joaquin Phoenix’s performance. However, the actor doesn’t credit himself for all the lauds the movie is getting. In fact, while accepting the award for Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor at this weekends SAG Awards, Phoenix revealed he feels this role's nods and wins are thanks to “Standing on the shoulders” of the late Heath Ledger.

At the end of his SAG Awards acceptance speech, Joaquin Phoenix mentioned specifically:

There have been quite a few actors who have taken on the iconic Batman villain Joker over the years. The list includes voice work from Mark Hamill, notable work from stalwart Jack Nicholson, a quick turn by a wild-looking Jared Leto in Suicide Squad, and more on both TV and film. Still, one of the definitive performances has always been Heath Ledger’s.

This is particularly true given rumors the role allegedly exacerbated some of the sleeping problems he was having in the months leading to his death in 2008. While he was working on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the time of his accidental overdose, there will always be something ultra unsettling about seeing his version of Joker on the big screen. It also helps that Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies are very memorable and well-regarded by the general population, so the performance has lived on in our collective memories.

Still, to hear Joaquin Phoenix pay homage to his “favorite” actor really makes this speech hit home. In real life, Heath Ledger and Phoenix knew one another, as well, adding another layer of “aww” to his final comment at the SAG Awards.

Fans online were notably touched by the quick moment during the acceptance speech, and one fan even brought up that Heath Ledger had won a SAG for The Dark Knight in 2009, which Gary Oldman accepted following his passing. That’s another nice nod to the past.

Elsewhere in his speech, Joaquin Phoenix revealed that when he was starting his career, he and other young actors would go up for the same auditions and without fail would lose to Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he has been facing in the Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor category this year. It’s absolutely worth watching, so if you haven’t given it a look yet, check it out below.

Ultimately, we’re smack dab in the middle of the awards race in 2020 right now. Ceremonies like the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards have already happened, and even the Oscar nominations have already been announced. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend to find out who takes home the big trophies this year.

We’ve been hearing a lot about the Joker in the past several weeks. But one social media-savvy cinephile decided we hadn’t heard quite enough. They compiled an awesome, and incredibly unique, video clip that shows off the villain’s iconic laugh from the Cesar Romero to Joaquin Phoenix — and yes, Jared Leto is in there, too.

On November 9, Mark Hamill shared a video clip from Instagram user TheScenesOfCinema that illustrates the different ways that actors have portrayed the Clown Prince of Crime’s laugh. The Star Wars actor was particularly delighted by the fact that it was presented as an old-school flip book, which appears to create an animated image when someone rifles through the pages in order. Mark Hamill’s accompanying caption to the post said, “As a kid I used to collect Flip-Books, but in those days they were silent.”

“A Full History of Joker Laughs” shows a quick animation of six iconic Jokers, and overlays audio from each. We see (and, of course, hear) Cesar Romero, who appeared in both the 1960s Batman television series and the 1966 Batman feature length film; Jack Nicholson, from Tim Burton’s Batman; Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight; Jared Leto from Suicide Squad; and Joaquin Phoenix from Joker. Mark Hamill’s voice appears too, thanks to his beloved take on the Joker from numerous Batman animated series.

It’s a fun retrospective on one of the world’s most iconic villains — and it revealed something interesting about the respective portrayals. Most of the actors take an approach that’s somewhere between maniacal and hysterical. However, Jared Leto’s stands in stark contrast, as he offered little more than a stilted “ha ha” during his run as the Joker. The animation fits his segment of the clip perfectly, too, as it shows him covering his giggle behind his mouth-painted hand.

Neither the clip’s creator nor Mark Hamill pass judgment on any of the actors, but that didn’t stop fans in the comment section from weighing in on their favorites — and getting in some digs, too. (Sorry, Jared Leto.) All opinions aside, the clip serves as an awesome reminder of the villain’s legacy. The Joker has been brought to life on screen in some form for over 50 years, and four Oscar winners have taken on the mighty task of playing him.

And the clip, originally posted by TheScenesOfCinema on October 8, feels timely, given the renewed interest in the character. Within the last three years alone, we’ve seen two entirely different portrayals of the Joker in films. Joker has become one of the most successful comic book films of all time. The Clown Prince’s cinematic history is likely far from over — we’ll be waiting to see who’s willing to take on his dastardly laugh next.

In 2008, when Heath Ledger overdosed on a cocktail of prescription pills, he was at the pinnacle of his career. He had been nominated an Oscar in 2005 for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. In 2007, he was one of seven actors to portray Bob Dylan, in another award winning performance in I’m Not There, and of course, there was his upcoming performance as The Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, a role that would bring widespread acclaim and even more fame. Sadly, he would experience none of it as he tragically died of a drug overdose while The Dark Knight was in post-production, at age 28, on January 22, 2008.

For months before his death, as he was working on what would be his final performance in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Heath Ledger had what some of his co-stars and friends described as “walking pneumonia.” Ledger was having a lot of trouble sleeping and he was mixing up a cocktail of sleeping pills and other prescription drugs in a desperate attempt to get some rest.

Sadly, the pills weren’t helping very much. Heath Ledger’s friend, Gerry Grennell, lived with him for a time in those last couple months, and he told People Magazine:

Heath Ledger’s downward spiral had begun months earlier when his partner and mother of his then-two-year-old daughter, Michelle Williams, broke off their relationship and kicked him out of their house in Brooklyn. The reason for the breakup has never been fully revealed by Williams, but most reports are that she was fed up with Ledger’s lifestyle and drug abuse.

After their breakup, Heath Ledger moved into an apartment in SoHo, in Manhattan. It was there that he would take the lethal combination of drugs that caused his accidental overdose. When he moved, Ledger was working on what would become the defining role of his career as The Joker in The Dark Knight. His immersion into the role and his almost insane commitment to the character clearly took a lot out of him, physically and mentally. He wanted his performance to be unpredictable. His director in The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan, said of his performance:

It was during the filming of The Dark Knight that Ledger’s illness and insomnia got worse, and those close to him got more concerned about his mental state. That said, his sister, Kate, whom he was very close to, disagrees that the role played a part in his death, saying:

Kate was also one of the last people to speak to Heath Ledger, on a phone call the night before he was found dead from a combination of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam and doxylamine. She said he showed no signs of depression and there wasn't any hint that he might be suicidal.

As is the case in any situation like this, there has been and probably always will be speculation about Heath Ledger’s overdose. Questions like whether the overdose was on purpose, was he trying to kill himself that dark night in the winter of ’08? The answer from most of those close to him has been a resounding “no.” His father blames his son for his own death, but doesn’t think it was suicide, saying:

Heath Ledger’s father has spent the last decade warning people of the dangers of prescription pills like the kind Ledger overdosed on.

Today, a decade after Heath Ledger’s tragic overdose, his legacy still looms large. Of course, he won a posthumous Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of The Joker in the Dark Knight and in the years since, the praise for Ledger with that role and his others, like his performance in Brokeback Mountain, have only grown louder.

The legacy of his overdose also lives in on the work his father has done, and sadly, in how it has effected Michelle Williams and their daughter. Williams has recently seemed to have found peace with his tragic death, even if she may never understand it fully. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she said:

Like so many of the brightest burning stars, like River Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Farley, and many others, Heath Ledger’s star burned out far quickly because of drugs, but his legacy never will.

You should be aware by now that Warner Bros. has found its new Batman following Ben Affleck’s official exit after three movies in the cowl. Actor Robert Pattinson will lead director Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which is set for 2021.

Obviously, you probably have an opinion about this. Maybe you would have rather they stuck with an older interpretation of the hero and cast Jon Hamm, or maybe, after accepting the decision to make Bruce Wayne younger, you believe that Nicolas Hoult would have been a better fit.

Believe it or not, the role of Batman has seen more controversial casting than Edward from Twilight. In fact, some of the names who were merely under consideration to portray the iconic DC character sound questionable in retrospect.

Actors like Ethan Hawke, The X-Files’ David Duchovny, Mel Gibson and many others were offered the chance to star as Gotham’s savior, but settled for other opportunities, for better or worse. The following actors are some of the most intriguing and infamously speculated names who almost played Batman.

Jake Gyllenhaal

After it was confirmed in 2018 that Ben Affleck would not be returning for Matt Reeves’ solo Batman film, for a brief moment, the Academy Award-nominated actor, known for embracing darkness in thrillers like Donnie Darko and will gain comic book movie experience as Mysterio in this year’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, was the frontrunner to replace him.

Of course, this turned out to be merely rumors, but it was not the first time Jake Gyllenhaal was eyed for the cowl. While Christopher Nolan was casting for 2005’s Batman Begins, Jake Gyllenhaal was among the top choices to play Batman before the part ultimately went to Christian Bale.

While I can imagine that the talented actor would have had an interesting take on the character, one thing I know for sure is that it would have led to a very bizarre Brokeback Mountain reunion in The Dark Knight.

Johnny Depp

Fans of Johnny Depp would agree that the actor is a jack of all trades who could play suave and debonair just as easily as he could play grim and violent. These are key characteristics of pulling off both billionaire Bruce Wayne and his costumed alter ego, Batman.

However, Johnny Depp’s good friend Tim Burton could not convince Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher that the Edward Scissorhands star was a right fit for the role in the 1995 sequel. Eventually, talk of Depp playing The Riddler in The Dark Knight Rises would surface, only to be shot down as internet rumors. I, for one, would have supported either of these decisions 1000 percent.

Keanu Reeves

Technically, Keanu Reeves is a guy who already knows what it is like to play a vengeful combat expert dressed in black (John Wick), but does that not make you even more curious how he could have pulled off playing Batman?

Before Ben Affleck landed the part, the actor, who had already had a taste of portraying a DC character with 2005’s Constantine, very publicly expressed interest in playing Dark Knight in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He was also considered for Batman Forever in the mid 1990s. I cannot imagine Keanu Reeves replacing Val Kilmer making too much of a difference.

Josh Brolin

It was a big year for comic book movies in 2018 and the most prolific actor in the genre at the time happened to be Josh Brolin, playing the cult favorite biomechanical being Cable in Deadpool 2 and the ruthless, genocidal warmonger Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. At one time, he had a shot at DC fame, too.

Josh Brolin’s name was thrown around in consideration to play Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He later admitted to having no hard feelings over losing to Ben Affleck, even going as far as, essentially, calling out fans’ bitterness over the casting as ridiculous.

Bill Murray

It is easy to scoff at the idea of a beloved comedic actor taking on the role of DC’s dark, gritty caped crusader, just like fans initially reacted to the casting of Michael Keaton. However, if Bill Murray had donned the cowl, it would have been less Keaton, more Adam West.

About a decade before Tim Burton was at the helm, Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman was tapped to give Batman a new life on the big screen, but in the vein of the 1960s TV show, and he wanted to cast his buddy Bill Murray as his Bruce Wayne. The project, which also considered casting Eddie Murphy as Robin and David Bowie as Joker, fell apart, paving the way for Burton to bring the proper, darker take on the character into the mainstream.

Armie Hammer

Can you imagine the creator of Mad Max helming the Justice League with Oliver from Call Me By Your Name as Batman? Well, in another reality, this would have been the dawn of the DCEU.

Until its ridiculously high budget and the 2008 Writers Strike sealed the project’s doom, George Miller was set to direct Justice League: Mortal, casting a then 19-year-old Armie Hammer as Batman, along with Adam Brody as The Flash and Common as Green Lantern, among others. Looking back, Hammer realized that his casting as a Bruce Wayne not yet into his 20s may not have been received very well.

Harrison Ford

As Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Blade Runner’s Rick Deckard and plenty of other roles as gruff men of action, Harrison Ford is practically the face of cinematic heroism. Thus, filling the boots of the Dark Knight would sound like a natural fit for the actor.

Before Michael Keaton signed on, Harrison Ford was under consideration for Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989. While it may be fun to imagine the actor as Bruce Wayne (even at 47), I am thankful that he was still available that year to reprise his most famous character in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Pierce Brosnan

“The name’s Wayne, Bruce Wayne” is what Tim Burton’s take on Gotham’s millionaire playboy may have sounded like had Pierce Brosnan accepted the title role in 1989’s Batman. Though the Irish actor turned the part down, he later looked back on the decision as a mistake on his part.

Pierce Brosnan initially thought the idea of playing a “guy who wears his underpants outside his trousers” was a joke and refused the role, not comprehending Tim Burton’s more serious intentions for the character. On the bright side, at least he can say he is James Bond.

Henry Cavill

How could you not look at Henry Cavill and say, “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!”? Well, perhaps if he had landed the role of the Dark Knight first.

The British actor auditioned for Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, but, despite his imposing figure and a jawline perfect for the cowl, he, of course, lost to Christian Bale. Henry Cavill bounced back quite gracefully when cast as Clark Kent in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and later facing off against the character he missed out on playing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Tom Hanks

It is difficult to think of Tom Hanks as anyone other than a soft spoken, lighthearted person. Even his performance in Saving Private Ryan, one of the bleakest films of all time, is enough to convince me he was is the perfect choice for that upcoming Mr. Rogers biopic.

Believe it or not, though, the two-time Academy Award-winner was one of the top names considered to play the dark, brooding, vengeful vigilante in Tim Burton’s Batman and after Keaton turned down Batman Forever, Tom Hanks’ name was thrown around again. It would not be the last time he was considered for a comic book movie as he Warner Bros. had interest in seeing him play Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Technically, Tom Hanks has done a comic book movie, as 2002’s Road to Perdition was inspired by a 1998 DC Comics... comic. However, as far as full-blooded superhero movies go, we still have yet to see him don a cape or sport a menacing grin.

Daniel Day-Lewis

His name is lined up in the ranks close to Marlon Brando or Robert De Niro. He could turn even the simplest words of a script into poetry. He could breathe glorious life into just about any role you challenge him with.

The idea of Daniel Day-Lewis as Batman sounds too incredible to be real. Indeed, it will forever remain mere fantasy as the three-time Oscar winner did not accept the offer to replace Michael Keaton for 1995’s Batman Forever, allowing Val Kilmer to step in. So close...

Heath Ledger

For many, Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight is the definitive image of Batman’s greatest foe. However, he came close to playing the part on the other side of the law of the Nolanverse.

The late Australian actor was Christopher Nolan’s top choice to lead Batman Begins before Christian Bale was even considered. I think we can all agree that, while Heath Ledger was an actor of tremendous talent, we are thankful he was turned down the first time so he could apply that talent to the striking performance that would posthumously earn him an Academy Award.

To you, many of these actors may sound like fine choices to play the Dark Knight, while others sound utterly ridiculous. The important thing to remember is that a performance is measured not by expectation, but execution.

Who is to say that Josh Brolin could have made a better Batman than Ben Affleck or Daniel Day-Lewis than Val Kilmer (that might be a given, though)? We will never know, just like we do not know the fate of Robert Pattinson’s upcoming portrayal in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. As Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck have taught us, it is best not to jump to conclusions and give an actor a fair shot.

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It's been more than a decade since Heath Ledger passed away and it's impossible to know where the actor would be in his career today if he were still alive. One of his last roles was as The Joker in The Dark Knight, and it went on to become the stuff of legends. People still talk about the effort that Ledger put into the character and how he delivered what's said by some to be one of the greatest performances of all time.

But Heath Ledger was in plenty of other movies before The Dark Knight, and by that point in his career, he had built up a reputation for himself as a serious-minded and very professional actor. He tackled each role by doing research and preparation, fully inhabiting whatever character he was playing. It was said that he locked himself away for a month to prepare for whatever part he was playing. As such, there are some memorable stories about his days on set and not all of them have to do with Joker. Here are six stories that remind us how great an actor Ledger was.

He Didn't Work For A Full Year To Avoid Typecasting

Heath Ledger's first Hollywood movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, introduced him to American audiences, where it didn't take long for people to fall for him as a teen heartthrob. He plays the steamy bad boy in the teen rom com, but Ledger wasn't interested in repeating himself. The only offers that were coming in after the film were for similar roles, so Ledger ended up refusing to work for an entire year until something different caught his eye. Looking back on his career, it was definitely something he succeeded at doing. He played everything from Bob Dylan to a stoner surfer dude to a Revolutionary War soldier to a clown-themed super villain. That's as varied a career as you can get.

He Kept A Joker Diary To Get Into Character

Heath Ledger turned down playing the title character in Batman Begins, but he was director Christopher Nolan's first and only choice to play the Joker in the sequel. Ledger signed on for the role before there was even a script, and part of how he prepared for the part was that he kept a diary of twisted images and things that he thought the Joker would find funny (AIDS was apparently one of them). Ledger wouldn't stay in character when not filming, so he would keep the diary with him and use it to get back into character before the cameras started rolling. Apparently, the actor was able to get into character quickly, and had no problem being chummy with the crew in-between takes (while he was still in full make-up and costume).

He Did All His Own Stunts In The Patriot

Tom Cruise doesn't own the monopoly for doing your own stunts. Case in point, Heath Ledger did all his own stunts for the Revolutionary War action-drama The Patriot. That means he handled stunts such as horseback riding, firing muskets, close-range combat and working with Mel Gibson all on his own. That's mighty impressive considering the movie had a heavy emphasis on action and could be pretty physically demanding; more than one tomahawk is thrown in this movie. One can only imagine the lengths Ledger went to while preparing for the non-combat scenes.

He Nearly Broke Jake Gyllenhaal's Nose Kissing Him So Hard

One of Heath Ledger's most significant and popular films is Brokeback Mountain, in which he and Jake Gyllenhaal star as cowboy lovers. In the movie, the two actors share a passionate kissing scene and reportedly, Ledger almost broke Gyllenhaal's nose because of how hard he was kissing. Additionally, he and Gyllenhaal would kiss off-screen for co-star Michelle Williams, who felt that it would help her get into character. Williams was dating Ledger in real-life at this point, so she felt watching him kiss someone else would really get her into her character's mindset.

He Asked Christian Bale To Punch Him In The Face For Real

The Dark Knight's interrogation scene is one of the most well-known in the movie, as Batman truly begins to realize the madness he's facing. The Joker isn't a foe he can just punch into submission because the more Batman beats him, the more he likes it. Heath Ledger was apparently getting into it, too. Christian Bale said that Ledger was egging him on to really punch him in the face, but Bale understandably wouldn't do it. After all, it looks just as good with a fake punch as it would with a real one. Bale commented that Ledger was so committed to the role, that he was cracking the tiles in the room because of how hard he was throwing himself around.

He Wore The Real Skip Engblom's Clothes For Lords Of Dogtown

In the film Lords of Dogtown, Heath Ledger plays Skip Engblom, the owner of a surf shop and promoter of a local skateboarding team in Venice Beach. To get into character, Engbolm's wife let Ledger wear some of her husband's clothes. Keep in mind that this movie took place in the '70s, so Ledger was wearing some authentically old and groovy clothes. Additionally, the real Skip originally wanted Ledger to play him in the movie and got his wish! And then the actor was wearing his clothes, so it was a double whammy.

It's sad to think that we'll never get another Heath Ledger performance, but the actor certainly left an impression on those he worked with in the short amount of time he was on this Earth. I doubt Christian Bale will ever forget that a man dressed as a psychotic clown asked him to punch him in the face as hard as he could. Based on comments from directors who worked with Ledger, he was a deeply observant and intelligent actor who throw himself fully into a wide range of roles. Ledger rarely repeated himself and it's safe to say that he avoided his fear of getting typecast. At least we have these memorable stories to remember a great talent.

It’s rare that a super villain can achieve anywhere near the same amount of popularity that the hero they frequently battle, but The Joker is definitely at that level. Debuting in 1940’s Batman #1 (the same issue where Catwoman first appeared), the Clown Prince of Crime has long been cemented as the Caped Crusader’s arch-nemesis, so naturally he’s also been adapted in other media numerous times. In fact, we’ve reached a point where The Joker is now the star of his own movie, and he won’t even be fighting Batman!

As one can logically assume from this kind of prominence, The Joker isn’t a simple role. With so many years of history, there are various ways one can play this character, so with that in mind, we’ve decided to look at the actors who’ve bring this cackling fiend to life on the silver screen. Just to be clear, this feature is only discussing theatrical portrayals of Joker, although I do recommend checking out Cameron Monaghan’s performances as Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska on the Fox series Gotham, as those twins cover the Joker spectrum excellently.

Cesar Romero's Joker in Batman (The 1966 Movie)

Although Batman made his first live action appearance in a 1943 film serial, it’d be another 23 years before The Joker got to follow suit in the live action Batman TV series. Cesar Romero, who had an extensive movie and TV resume and was arguably known best beforehand as The Cisco Kid in six Westerns released between 1939 and 1941, was cast as the Clown Prince of Crime, and for the most part, he nailed the character quite well. Modeled off how Joker was portrayed in the Silver Age of Comics, when superhero stories were more kid-friendly, Romero’s Joker was more of a goofy prankster than a psychopathic murderer, which fit with the TV series’ tone nicely. Romero also refused to shave off his mustache when playing The Joker, requiring the white makeup be applied over the facial hair.

Two months after the Batman Season 1 finale aired, these versions of the characters made the jump to the big screen in the first ever full-length theatrical Batman movie, simply and appropriately titled Batman. Cesar Romero’s Joker teamed up with Frank Gorshin’s Riddler, Lee Meriwether’s Catwoman and Burgess Meredith’s Penguin teaming up to cause all kinds of trouble, with this clip demonstrating their dynamic together and Romero’s overall Joker personality.

Naturally, Romero’s Joker in the Batman movie didn’t differ in any way from how he played the character on the Batman TV series, and the movie was critically well-received and performed decently commercially. In the grand scheme of things, while Romero’s Joker is definitely not nearly as frightening as later versions of Joker, he still has a sizable amount of fans all these years later.

Jack Nicholson's Joker in Batman (The 1989 Movie)

As popular as the 1960s Batman TV series was and still is, there’s no question that it’s campy and kooky, basically meaning you can show it to fans of all ages. The 1989 Batman movie, on the other hand, isn’t something you necessarily want to show to the kids. It marked the Caped Crusader’s first on-screen entry into adult territory, and Jack Nicholson was hired to play The Joker in this tale. Nicholson was unquestionably the biggest actor in this movie thanks to his performances in Chinatown and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and he beat out actors like Brad Dourif, Tim Curry, John Lithgow and James Woods for the role.

Jack Nicholson had many memorable moments as The Joker in Batman, but arguably the weirdest one was when he and his goons defaced the paintings inside a museum while dancing to Prince music.

There were two chief differences with Jack Nicholson’s iteration of The Joker compared to how he’s depicted in the comics: one, we knew his real name (Jack Napier), and two, he was the one who murdered Bruce Wayne’s parents as opposed to the traditional culprit, Joe Chill. Beyond that, though, Nicholson’s Joker was a relatively faithful adaptation of the super villain, from gaining his clownish visage after falling into a vat of chemicals to preferring to kill people “artistically” and with dramatic flair. We were only treated to one appearance from this Joker, although had the movie Batman Unchained moved forward, the plan was for Nicholson’s Joker to appear when Batman hallucinated him after being dosed with Scaercrow’s fear gas. In any case, for nearly two decades, it’s safe to say that Nicholson’s Joker was the definitive live action Joker, and even now, he’s still fondly remembered by many for portraying the character not as a pest, but as the psychopathic murderer he is at his core.

Mark Hamill Voice Acting Joker in Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm

Obviously everyone has their favorite version of The Joker, but it’s not exaggerating to say that most Batman fans label Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, as the definitive voice of the Clown Prince of Crime. Hamill has voiced across Joker across numerous projects for nearly 30 years, but he’s chiefly known for playing the character within the DC Animated Universe, specifically Batman: The Animated Series. A year after that TV show debuted, it jumped to the big screen with Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm, which didn’t fare well commercially during its theatrical run, but was met with critical acclaim and has had a wonderful home video life.

Serving as the secondary antagonist in Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm, Mark Hamill’s Joker was largely the same as it was on television. He could be wacky and absurd one minute, but then turn on a dime and become incredibly horrifying the next minute. This was highlighted nicely when Joker first shows up to meet Salvatore Valestra, his boss from his pre-clown days.

However, because the movie wasn’t subject to the same censorship rules Batman: The Animated Series had to follow airing on Fox Kids, that allowed more wiggle room with making Joker more adult. Even under a PG rating, Mask of the Phantasm got away with Joker much more adult, such as him actually killing people and making sexual innuendos. While I’ll argue that the direct-to-video Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker gave us the darkest version of Mark Hamill’s Joker in the DCAU, Mask of the Phantasm is nonetheless a great example of how Batman’s arch-nemesis can tread a fine line between funny and terrifying.

Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight

After being teased at the end of Batman Begins, The Joker surfaced several years later as the main antagonist in The Dark Knight, played by Heath Ledger. I don’t need to remind any of you that Ledger’s take on The Joker was acclaimed and netted the actor a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. That said, it is worth remembering that in the lead-up to The Dark Knight’s release, there was skepticism about Christopher Nolan’s version of the Clown Prince of Crime. Along with Ledger’s previous acting work causing concern that he could properly pull off a villain like this, this version of The Joker is quite different from how he is usually depicted, particularly his physical appearance (wearing makeup, dying his hair green and having a Glasgow smile carved into his face) and use of traditional weapons rather than dangerous gag items.

Nevertheless, this Joker was incredibly dangerous, as shown in the scene when he killed Gambol (who’d put a bounty on Joker’s head) and basically turned the phrase “Why so serious?” into one of the most unsettling lines in movie history.

Ultimately, though, the spirit of the original Joker was alive in Heath Ledger’s Joker. He thrived off chaos, and rather than wanting to be just another powerful, money-obsessed crime boss in Gotham City, he aimed to spread anarchy and give the people a better class of criminal. Ledger’s Joker was definitely a more politically-skewed version of the character, but he went all out with giving audiences something incredibly different from what had come before, which included locking himself in a hotel room for six weeks to figure out his Joker’s voice, movements and mannerisms. The result was that Ledger’s Joker is not only widely considered to be the best live action interpretation of the cackling madman, but also one of the best movie villains overall.

Jared Leto's Joker in Suicide Squad

Eight years after we watched Heath Ledger’s Joker nearly bring Gotham City to its knees, Jared Leto put his own spin on the character in Suicide Squad, the first movie not to have Batman and Joker directly fighting one another. Although Leto’s Joker saw the return of some of Joker’s traditional physical traits, like naturally chalk-white skin and green hair, like Ledger, he also had some drastic differences, like tattoos covering his whole body and bejeweled teeth. Because Suicide Squad featured his main squeeze, Harley Quinn, in her first live action film appearance, his role in the movie revolved around his relationship with her: how he manipulated Harleen Qunizel when she was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, how he became depressed after she was imprisoned and his efforts to free her from Task Force X.

Like his comic book counterpart, Jared Leto’s Joker was also a powerful figure in Gotham City, as show in this clip where he kills another crime boss simply for making a lustful comment about Harley Quinn.

Although Suicide Squad was a commercial hit, it was thrashed critically, and Jared Leto’s Joker performance was among the more negatively received elements. For starters, Joker didn’t get that much screen time in the movie, so that meant for some people, there wasn’t enough scenes to properly judge this version of the character. Others were just dissatisfied with this Joker’s physical appearance and/or his weird mannerisms, or just the fact that he came across as a standard, if eccentric, gangster rather than the colorful super villain we know best. It also didn’t help that Leto’s refusal to break character during principal photography led to him doing some crazy things, including sending bizarre gifts like a briefcase full of bullets, a live rat and used condoms. So Jared Leto’s Joker performance certainly isn’t one of the more popular ones, but he may have an opportunity leave a better impression in the future. Assuming he doesn’t become too busy with playing Morbius the Living Vampire or DCEU plans don’t change further, that is.

Zach Galifianakis Voice Acting Joker in The Lego Batman Movie

The Lego Batman Movie is a humorous celebration of Batman’s decades-long history, so naturally The Joker would be involved in the festivities. This movie portrays Batman and Joker’s feud through a romantic-like lens, so when the former tells the latter that he doesn’t mean anything special to him, Joker is hurt. But that just leads Joker to crafting his most ambitious plan yet: surrendering both himself and the rest of Gotham City’s super villains into police custody, and then tricking Batman into sending him into the Phantom Zone when the Caped Crusader suspects he’s up to something. The result: Joker allying himself with villains from other areas of pop culture, escaping the Phantom Zone and attempting to destroy Gotham City. Eventually Batman, having realized he’d been selfish to everyone in his life, “makes up” with The Joker, and the two work together to save the city and send the other villains back to the Phantom Zone before resuming their usual rivalry.

The scene when Joker surrenders himself to the GCPD is a good demonstration of how Zach Galifianakis’ Joker has a more playful edge, but still acts incredibly suspicious.

While there’s nothing wrong with Zach Galifianakis’ Joker performance, there’s also nothing particularly exceptional about it either. It simply sounds like Galifianakis as you hear him in movies like The Hangover and Keeping Up with the Joneses. The actor is amusing enough in the role and is given some good lines, but ultimately, there’s nothing particularly memorable about it. Which is fine, as Galifianakis does a satisfiable job with what he’s given, and fans of the actor will likely appreciate what he did. If The Lego Batman Movie 2 does move forward, the filmmakers might as well bring him back for it.

Joaquin Phoenix's Joker In The Upcoming Movie

Admittedly, we can’t comment too much yet on what’s in store for Joker since the movie is months away from being released. That said, from what’s been revealed from this movie so far, both officially and unofficially, this is going to be a significantly different depiction of the Clown Prince of Crime. For one thing, Joker is telling the eponymous character’s origin story without Batman’s involvement. Bruce Wayne will be in the movie, but as a child and with both of his parents still around. Then there’s the fact that like Heath Ledger’s Joker, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is wearing clown makeup instead of falling into a vat of chemicals. However, the leaked set photos and videos show Phoenix’s Joker leading a crime wave across Gotham City, so clearly this incarnation of the character is just as talented in igniting chaos as his predecessors.

Although Joaquin Phoenix had expressed interest in starring in a comic book movie as early as 2014, he was more interested in doing a “character study”-kind of movie, hence why he declined to play Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since Joker doesn’t take place within the DCEU and isn’t adhering closely to the comics source material, this allowed Phoenix more freedom with putting his own stamp on the main character, who in this continuity is Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who is driven insane and turns to crime after being disregarded by society. We’ll have to wait for a trailer to get our first taste of Phoenix’s Joker performance, but at the very least, this movie will be an interesting experiment that could shake up the comic book movie genre, as well as satisfy Phoenix’s desire to contribute to the genre without being locked in for numerous sequels.

Be sure to let us know in the comments below not only which of the above actors gave your favorite Joker performance, but to name anybody you like who played the character on TV, direct-to-video movies or video games. Joker hits theaters on October 4.

It was a long road for Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth before the celebrity couple finally said "I do" to each other at the tail-end of 2018. The musician and the actor were on-and-off in their relationship, then on-and-off again, throughout the past ten years. It wasn't always clear if The Last Song co-stars were finally going to tie the knot after such a prolonged, broken-then-reconnected engagement. But they've finally buckled down and married each other, and Cyrus believes it was ultimately a great tragedy in her life that brought her closer to her new husband. Specifically, Miley Cyrus claims that losing her house in a wildfire made her more intimate with Liam Hemsworth:

Miley Cyrus expressed these feelings of comfort and despair during her recent cover story with Vanity Fair. As she explains in the interview, Cyrus is at a pivotal point of self-reflection and self-discovery at the moment. The musician/actress is constantly trying to find her sound and what she wants to achieve in this world. The "Nothing Breaks Like A Heart" singer lost a great deal in the wildfire that caused several California residents to lose their homes -- and a few others to lose their lives. But she also found a rekindled romance with her fiancé and that allowed the couple to truly appreciate each other's company and finally get hitched.

The spark between Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth has flickered throughout the past few years, and it has also died out a few times, but it came into bloom through tragic circumstances during the final months of 2018. Cyrus is thankful that she didn't lose her life, or lose any of the people she loves in this life, and she's hoping to rebuild her life as best she can with her new house and her new marriage to Liam Hemsworth. It will take some time to heal. But thankfully, she has found some good company to lift her spirits out of the rubble as she restructures her life.

Though it hasn't always been on stable ground, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth's relationship is now sturdier than ever. It's a shame, though, that their romance had to be given a second life through such devastating and deeply traumatic means.