Heathcliff Andrew Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008) was an Academy Award-nominated Australian actor. After appearing in television roles during the 1990s, Ledger developed a Hollywood career. He starred in both critical and financial successes, including 10 Things I Hate About You, The Patriot, Monster’s Ball, A Knight’s Tale, and Brokeback Mountain, and completed the role of the Joker in the forthcoming movie The Dark Knight shortly before his death on 22nd January 2008.