WP: "The Sleuth," by Mary Ann Akers
Sen. Leahy's Cameo With Heath Ledger
Sen. Patrick Leahy's film career has taken a macabre turn this week with the mysterious death of 28-year-old "Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger.
The Vermont Democrat, who had silver-screen cameos in two previous Batman movies, has a bit role in "The Dark Knight," the sequel to "Batman Begins," which is set to be released next summer -- though Ledger's death appears to have thrown post production of the film in turmoil. Leahy appears alongside Christian Bale, who plays Batman, and Ledger, who starred as the Joker.
Leahy worked with Ledger during a two-day shoot in Chicago, according to Leahy spokesman David Carle. (The senator took an overnight flight to Davos, Switzerland, for the world economic forum so he was unavailable for comment on Ledger's passing.)...
***
Leahy is no stranger to showbiz. A lifelong Batman fan, Leahy made cameo appearances in the last two Batman movies, has done voice-overs for Batman cartoons and written the preface to a Batman book... and soon, will play a "distinguished gentleman" alongside Ledger, who died Tuesday of as-yet unknown causes. (Leahy, by the way, has said he'll donate his earnings from the movie to the Kellogg-Hubbard children's library in Montpelier, Vt., where he got his first library card.)
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/01/sen_leahys_next_big_cameo_with.html?hpid=news-col-blog