I don’t really know why the news of Heath Ledger’s death last year hit me like it did.  I didn’t know him.  I enjoyed his work, like millions of other people.  For some reason I can’t explain, I felt like I lost a friend.  Maybe it’s just that a fellow young artist died.  Maybe his performances connected with me on an emotional level, like how many people connect with actors.  Maybe I’m just sentimental – my wife and I watched Four Feathers on our first date.  Maybe I’m just THAT big of a Batman fan.

Either way, I checked out this pictorial the other day that included interviews with his friends and people that worked with him.  It was pretty amazing to hear from people who actually knew him and it gives you a different view of someone you may have only heard about through tabloids.

Today’s news that Heath got an Oscar nomination is a really good one though.  His portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight was just bloody brilliant.  I’ve been a Batman fan since I was a kid, but I’ve never been so excited to see the bad guy come on screen as with Heath’s Joker.  There’s this sense of excitement and energy that forces you to keep your eyes glued on the character so you don’t miss a thing.  So, congrats, Heath.  Wish you were here to enjoy it.