Pop Tarts: 'Batman' to Blame for Heath Ledger's Decline?

[Dr. Strange]

LOS ANGELES — The medical examiner says Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs. But a close friend of the actor told Pop Tarts that "Batman" was largely to blame.
snip
"He said that ever since filming 'Batman,' he was having massive sleeping issues," the friend said. "He became so into that role that it really messed with his head, on top of what he had to go through in terms of the paparazzi and missing Matilda. He just kept saying that nothing he tried helped him sleep and it was stressing him out like crazy. But I really feel like it was 'Batman' that tipped him over the edge."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329270,00.html

Weird. But then, it's coming from Fox, so there must be some truth to it. :eyes:

[Iris]

1. well, I guess it's not the first time someone's job pushed him/her over the edge.

[Shell Beau]

2. It was reported that he got sooo into character that it did cause him

many sleepless nights! I guess he was a really dedicated actor.

[Westegg]

3. "Next time, dear boy, try acting."-- Olivier

[Dr. Strange]

5. Oh man, SNL flashback.

[GoneOffShore]

8. You took the words right out of my mouth

"What's my motivation?"

"Your paycheck."


You don't have to be a prostitute or a madman or a superhero to play one.

[LostinVA]

4. Actually, Jack Nicolson warned him about what the character would do to his head

Some actors become their roles.

[terrya]

6. "PopTarts"?

Why would Heath Ledger talk to a quick, ready to eat breakfast snack?

[Westegg]

7. Vicodin, Valium, Xanax and OxyContin...

...to paraphrase Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas Special": Those are four GOOD reasons.