On January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Exactly a year and a month later, Ledger won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
His tragic death came at a shock, and just as he was solidifying his image as one of the best actors of his generation. Along with The Dark Knight, in the three years before his death, he played a fictionalized version of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There, and was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain.
Released on what would have been his 38th birthday, the new trailer for the upcoming Spike documentary I Am Heath Ledger, the late actor's friends, family, and colleagues remember a passionate artist with a dedication to film.
It opens with Ledger looking through a camera—and outlines his struggle with having a lens trained on him at all times. Even after his death, we're still fascinated by the man whose talent and promise was taken from him—and us—far too soon.
The 90-minute film will air on Spike on May 17.
