Spring Break
The Daily OrangeLedger's early death equates to iconic status
By Nathan Mattise
Posted: 1/28/08, 10:52 PM EST Section: Feature
I remember everything about the moment Heath Ledger died. I was with my buddy Stuch at the gym when I got the text message. We thought it was a joke but then noticed a group of people gathering near the TV. I texted back, but before I could get a response, I was huddled near the treadmills watching CNN Headline News. Heath Ledger was pronounced dead at the same instant I was about to go get water.
Immediately tons of stuff went through my head: What about his family? How does someone like Ledger just die? Did they finish filming the next Batman movie? (I'm not proud of that, I'm just being honest). I can't remember all my thoughts, but the first thing I said to Stuch after a few moments of silence stuck with me:
"You think he'll be remembered as an icon now like James Dean?"
Stuch initially said no, and I didn't give it another thought. Would I be watching "10 Things I Hate About You" or "Lords of Dogtown" and telling my kids about Ledger 20 years from now? Probably not.
It seems like when any potential pop culture figure dies before his or her time they inevitably get compared to the appropriate icon: Dean, Hendrix, Joplin, etc. Young celebrity deaths are always tragic, but there seems to be a tendency to glorify them as time goes on.
Some become portrayed as the culmination of a reckless, yet gifted life (Kurt Cobain) and some become portrayed as fluke accidents that remind us of how fragile a life is, regardless of status or occupation (Buddy Holly). Though one week later, his death is still surrounded by questions, and I'm beginning to think Ledger will emerge as an icon.
Critics didn't really praise Ledger's acting ability until his performance in "Brokeback Mountain." But if you start by comparing him with Dean, the two film actors have some similar professional credentials that could justify iconic status.
Each was a celebrated as a beautiful, young heartthrob. Each solidified their place in pop culture with a groundbreaking film role ("Rebel Without A Cause" versus "Brokeback Mountain"). Both are among the 10 youngest actors to ever be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.
Immediately tons of stuff went through my head: What about his family? How does someone like Ledger just die? Did they finish filming the next Batman movie? (I'm not proud of that, I'm just being honest). I can't remember all my thoughts, but the first thing I said to Stuch after a few moments of silence stuck with me:
"You think he'll be remembered as an icon now like James Dean?"
Stuch initially said no, and I didn't give it another thought. Would I be watching "10 Things I Hate About You" or "Lords of Dogtown" and telling my kids about Ledger 20 years from now? Probably not.
It seems like when any potential pop culture figure dies before his or her time they inevitably get compared to the appropriate icon: Dean, Hendrix, Joplin, etc. Young celebrity deaths are always tragic, but there seems to be a tendency to glorify them as time goes on.
Some become portrayed as the culmination of a reckless, yet gifted life (Kurt Cobain) and some become portrayed as fluke accidents that remind us of how fragile a life is, regardless of status or occupation (Buddy Holly). Though one week later, his death is still surrounded by questions, and I'm beginning to think Ledger will emerge as an icon.
Critics didn't really praise Ledger's acting ability until his performance in "Brokeback Mountain." But if you start by comparing him with Dean, the two film actors have some similar professional credentials that could justify iconic status.
Each was a celebrated as a beautiful, young heartthrob. Each solidified their place in pop culture with a groundbreaking film role ("Rebel Without A Cause" versus "Brokeback Mountain"). Both are among the 10 youngest actors to ever be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Andy Young
posted 1/29/08 @ 3:04 AM EST
Another similarity between Heath & James Dean is that both died shortly after completing work on a major movie that had not yet premiered - Heath with "The Dark Knight" and James Dean with "Giant". (Continued…)
Marc LeVine
posted 1/29/08 @ 10:41 AM EST
Unfortunately, Ledger may only reach icon status if it can be proven that he lived a troubled and conflicted life and died tragically. Well, he did die, tragically. (Continued…)
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