Heath Ledger's tragic final moments shared by friend 16 years after his death

01 March 2024 , 12:13

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Stephen Gaghan opened up on hearing about Heath Ledger's death (Image: getty)

Hollywood director Stephen Gaghan has revealed a devastating new detail surrounding Heath Ledger's death 16 years ago.

The Dolittle director, 58, has opened up on the phone call he received from Heath's dad, Kim, following the tragic news of his actor son's passing on January 22, 2008. It was later revealed Heath had died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 28. Now, 16 years on, Stephen has revealed a new detail in the heartbreaking case.

The confession came as Stephen spoke with Malcolm Gladwell on a podcast about a film called Blink that never made it to screen. The production was going to star Heath and be directed by Stephen.

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Heath Ledger died aged 28 (Getty Images)

Heath Ledger starred as The Joker (Stephen Vaughan)

The director tragically described how Heath was found unresponsive with a copy of the movie script beside him. He also shared how there was one of Malcolm's books also on the nightstand nearby. He explained how he received the call from Heath's dad after he has spotted his number on the script.

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Speaking out about the tragic moment, Stephen said: "The dad and the guy who was closest to him in his professional life, they were there with the body and our script was in bed with him, and [Gladwell's] book was on the bedside table. I think my number was on the script, like written. These guys, as you can imagine, they are in shock and they dialled that number and I don't know why."

He went on to describe the anguish he felt as the news of Heath's death was relayed to him. Stephen continued: "I'm in an airport with my wife just going from one place to another, and I literally just collapse, never happened to me before or since. My feet went out from under me. I just literally sat down because I was like, 'What?' The emotion, what they were going through, I should not have been a party to in any way really, and yet as a human or as somebody who just cares, I just was there and I was listening and my wife was looking at me."

He added: "I remember her face and I was just like, I was speechless. I just listened and listened and listened. It was just really, really sad. And it's still sad. For me, I just had to put a pin in it."

Stephen added reflection of his relationship with Heath, saying the pair had formed a "really special" bond and grew close instantly. He explained that such a connection was rare for him, which made their relationship stronger. Due to Heath's death, Stephen opted to "put a pin" in plans to create the movie despite years of development on the project.

Heath was just 28 when he was found dead in bed by his masseuse. He left behind his beloved daughter Matilda, now 19, with ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams. The Australia actor's death came after he had spent months immersing himself into the role of The Joker for Christopher Nolan's Dark Night. Prior to the tragedy, he had moved into a Manhattan rental apartment following his split from Michelle.

Jamie Roberts