heath ledger, aloha

Actors like Heath Ledger only come around every so often. In an industry that publicizes and herds every quasi-talented pretty face into leading man status, Heath rejected starring in hokey, uninspired studio fare. He rejected being a studio cash cow.

He was not merely an actor, but an artist. A student of the craft. A breed in entertainment becoming more difficult to come by. He enabled opportunities for cinema by choosing audaciously diverse roles. He enabled cinematic works that were impassioned to challenge, to explore human expression. He helped to ensure that such works would continue being made. By spurning trite commercial fare, he made a principled choice. Not many in his position do.

He was in a class with Gael, Gosling, and Gordon-Levitt as one of the brightest actors of our generation. He was just barely getting roles tailored for him. Perhaps he coulda been one of the greats. One thing is certain, we've lost a soldier in the good fight.

Brad Renfro, you will be remembered as well. Thank you for The Cure.