In the most recent issue of GQ, Golden Globe winning actress Michelle Williams talks about her relationship with Heath Ledger and how his death almost caused her to quit acting.

Williams and Ledger were engaged before the actor’s death in 2008 and had a daughter together. Williams thanked her daughter, Matilda, in her acceptance speech on Sunday night and revealed to the magazine that she almost quit acting in order to protect her.

Williams said that the media hounded her after Heath Ledger’s death. The “My Week With Marilyn” actress told GQ:

“I felt like I was going crazy. It was too much… I just felt trapped. And it’s not just me — there’s somebody else who I’m trying to protect, and I can’t. I can’t make it stop, I can’t make it go away. Trying to find ways to explain it or shield her from it. It’s like you’re trying to go about your life, and make dinner…but the roof is off of your house, and the walls are falling down.”

Here’s the video of Michelle Williams acceptance speech at the Golden Globes.

The Huffington Post reports that Williams was filming a movie called Mammoth when she learned about Heath’s death. She had also agreed to film Shutter Island with Martin Scorsese. Williams kept her promise, but said that she doesn’t remember much of the shoot.

Williams said:

 “It was horrible… I don’t remember most of it… I’ve got a lot of holes.

But despite all of the pain that Ledger’s early demise caused her, he is still one of her favorite things to think about. When asked if there was still a part of her that wished she was back together with Ledger, she said:

“That would make me way too sad to answer … but it’s also… one of my favorite things to imagine. It’s actually one of my favorite places to visit.”

Are you happy that Michelle Williams decided to keep acting?

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At 31, Michelle Williams has been through a lot in her life and career.

The actress shot to fame in the late 90′s as the slightly wild Jen, the romantic rival to Katie Holmes’ Joey on the seminal teen drama Dawson’s Creek. Holmes went on to marry Tom Cruise and become a Scientologist and mom to daughter Suri, and Williams took up with Heath Ledger, moving to Brooklyn and having a daughter, Matilda, with the actor.

Williams and Ledger broke it off, and not too long after, the latter was found dead of an inadvisable drug cocktail in his SoHo apartment. Since then, Williams has raised Matilda alone, working regularly. If you’re intimately familiar with the challenges a single, working mom faces, it’s probably not a surprise that even famous, wealthy celebrities dream about running away from it all and starting a new life.

In a recent interview, Williams talks about her fantasies of a different, less high-profile life- perhaps in a laundromat or as a cook:

“I often dream of quitting acting. Walking away and becoming a laundress or a sous chef, or maybe writing other people’s love letters for a living… Clearly, I don’t like to be in charge. And thinking of quitting is just keeping going in disguise.”

Williams also admits to a bit of apprehension about success:

“When you have options, anything is bearable. It’s when a situation is inescapable that it becomes hell… It seems to me that as soon as you get good at something, it is a sure sign that it is about to walk out of your life because it ceases to hold your mind and creative energy hostage.”

The actress is currently working on a Wizard of Oz redux with James Franco and Mila Kunis.

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An Ohio amusement park has disassembled a distasteful Halloween display that caused offense among parkgoers.

The display featured skeletons dressed as many recently (and not so recently) deceased celebrities. Included were Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and a Sonny Bono themed skeleton clad in ski-gear and tied to a tree. Also in the display were Billy Mays, Dave Thomas and a Heath Ledger “tribute” surrounded by empty pill bottles. The portion of the display that was most criticized referred to slain quarterback Steve McNair, with a skeleton wearing McNair’s NFL jersey (complete with gunshot hole) and a lingerie-wearing skeleton draped across his lap. (McNair was murdered by an angry mistress.)

While the park initially denied making reference to McNair in the display after internet outcry, officials sheepishly apologized when confronted with evidence of footage circulating online. And at least one relative of a targeted celebrity was aware of the display- Billy Mays III, son of the late pitchman Billy Mays, tweeted:

How about this King’s Island dead celebrity display nonsense? Sounds like a classy establishment…

Kings Island amusement park drops offensive skeleton display is a post from: The Inquisitr

Here’s some of the Home and Away alumni that now appear on television and in movies in the United States.

Chris Hemsworth

If Chris Hemsworth’s name isn’t familiar, his good looks might be better known: most recently he played the role of James T. Kirk’s father, George Kirk, in J. J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek and also appeared in the thriller A Perfect Getaway.

Hemsworth played the role of Kim Hyde on Home and Away from 2004 to 2007, and will star in upcoming horror film The Cabin in the Woods (executive produced by Joss Whedon0 and will portray Jed Eckert in the upcoming Red Dawn remake.

Guy Pearce

Making his TV debut in Australian soap Neighbors, Guy Pearce played the role of David Croft on Home and Away from 1991-1992.

His first major film was as a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994. Since then, he has appeared in L.A. Confidential, Ravenous, Rules of Engagement, Memento, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Time Machine. Pearce recently portrayed pop artist Andy Warhol in Factory Girl and Harry Houdini in Death Defying Acts.

Heath Ledger

Ledger started as Scott Irwin on Home and Away in 1997 before going on to film his break out role in 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999. After his sad death in 2008, Ledger won a best supporting actor oscar for his role in the Dark Knight.

Isla Fisher

From 1994 to 1997 Isla Fisher played the role of Shannon Reed on Home and Away. After finishing with the show, she headed overseas and performed on stage in London before landing the role of Mary-Jane in the Scooby Doo movie. Her role in Wedding Crashers, alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson won her the Breakthrough Performance Award at the MTV Movie Awards, and was followed by a range of roles that ultimately lead her to star in the movie adaption of the book Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Isabel Lucas

Lucas played the role of Tasha Andrews on Home and Away from 2003–2006 before heading across the Pacific for bigger and better things. Last seen on the big screen in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, interest in Lucas continues to grow. She also appears in a lead role in the forthcoming Spielberg mini-series The Pacific.

Julian McMahon

The son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon, Julian played the role of Ben Lucini on Home and Away from 1990–1991.

A popular actor on American TV, Julian McMahon best known for his portrayals of Cole Turner in The WB hit series Charmed, womanizing plastic surgeon Christian Troy on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning TV show Nip/Tuck, and Doctor Doom/Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Melissa George

After a stint modeling as a teenager, Melissa George appeared played Angel Parrish on Home and Away between 1993-1996.

After small roles in Dark City, The Limey, Mulholland Drive and Down with Love she starred in the series Charmed for the sixth season premiere. George achieved a significant breakthrough in 2003 when she landed the role of Lauren Reed on the ABC series Alias. Appearing in The Amityville Horror, she went on to appear in a number of movies before appearing in Grey’s Anatomy for 11 episodes as Sadie Harris.

Ryan Kwanten

Ryan Kwanten played lifeguard Vinnie Patterson on Home and Away from 1997-2002, before playing Jay Robertson in the Lori Loughlin-starring series Summerland from 2004-2005. Kwanten currently plays the role of Jason Stackhouse in True Blood.

Tammin Sursok

Tammin Sursok started her career playing Dani Sutherland on Home and Away from 2000-2004. After a failed attempt at a singing career, Tammin headed State side where she landed the role of Colleen Carlton on The Young and The Restless in 2007.

Other notable actors/ actresses to appear on Home and Away

Simon Baker: a brief role as James Healey in 1994

Naomi Watts: a brief role as Julie Gibson on Home and Away in 1991

Kristy Wright: Chloe Richards from 1995-1999. Appeared on Beastmaster as a ninja warrior

Justin Melvey: played Harry Keller Reynolds from 1999-2001. Went on to play Dr. Colin Murphy on Days of our Lives from 2001-2004.

Jason Smith: played Robbie Hunter from 2003-2007. Played Casey, the Red Ranger, in Power Rangers: Jungle Fury, a role than won him the 2005 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for “Fave Tv Star” & “Fave Pash”

Nine Home and Away actors who went on to stardom is a post from: The Inquisitr

Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at tonight’s Academy Award’s, picking up eight Oscars.

Slumdog won best picture, best director for Danny Boyle, best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best sound mixing, best original score, best original song and best film editing, every category the film was nominated in.

The biggest upset of the night came in the best actor category, with short priced favorite Mickey Rourke losing out to Sean Penn for his role as Harvey Milk in Milk. Penn finished his speech with a big shout out to Rourke, praising him for his role in The Wrestler and his amazing comeback.

Kate Winslet won best actress for The Reader, Penelope Cruz best supporting actress, and as we reported earlier, Heath Ledger became only the second actor in Academy Awards history to win an Oscar posthumously for his role as The Joker in The Dark Night. Notably the only other person to win the award beyond the grave was fellow Australian Peter Finch who won for his role in the 1974 film Network.

Hugh Jackman shone in his role as host, bringing a real talent to the stage while managing to connect with his natural charm.

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He did it.

Heath Ledger has won the best supporting actor award at tonight’s Academy Awards.

Ledger was both a bookies and sentimental favorite for the award, having picked up a range of lead up awards for his role as the Joker in the Dark Knight.

As we sadly know, the boy from Perth left this world in a New York apartment in January 2008. The award was accepted on behalf of Ledger by his parents and sister.

He is the only Australian oscar winner tonight.

Heath Ledger wins Best Supporting Actor Oscar is a post from: The Inquisitr

Not only did co-stars begin to see potential right away during The Dark Knight filming, but Ledger himself recognized his own work for its promise. Ledger, who won a Golden Globe earlier this month, “‘joked about an Oscar nomination’” with friend Nicola Pecorini before his death in January 2008. Pecorini told Us that “He knew he’d done something special. But he was saying, ‘This time I’m going to lead the dance.’”

And lead he most likely will: what do you think the chances are that he’ll be awarded an Oscar posthumously? I’m thinking they’re very good.

Heath Ledger Receives Oscar Nomination One Year After Death is a post from: The Inquisitr

She stated that Ledger’s role as Joker in The Dark Knight was a role he loved, and she’s “bursting with pride” about his recent accolades.

“It is such a fantastic and wonderful legacy for his daughter. Matilda will have so many people who will be able to speak to her about her father’s abilities and [the] respect he had in the industry. That is such a wonderful legacy to leave,” she told the mag.

Bell heard about the win as she was getting on a flight in Australia, and she admitted that the news was emotional and that there were “a few tears.”

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Heath Ledger has won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor this evening, making him a short priced favorite to pick up an Academy Award.

Christopher Nolan, Director of The Dark Knight accepted the award on behalf of Ledger:

“All of us who worked with Heath on ‘The Dark Night’ accept this with an awful mixture of sadness, but incredible pride.” While Nolan said Ledger’s passing represented “a hole ripped in the history of cinema,” he also pointed to “the incredible place in the history of cinema that he built for himself.” Nolan ended his remarks by saying, “He will be eternally missed, but he will never be forgotten.”

Ledger has been named best supporting actor of 2008 in the following awards this seasons: Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the Toronto Film Critics Association, and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association.

The honor comes just short of the first anniversary of Ledger’s 2008 death by accidental drug overdose.

(via THR)

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The $10,000 scholarship will allow one emerging Australian actor to pursue a career in the United States. Australians in Film board vice president Paula Paizes stated that “[AIF] received a staggering number of applications, and the caliber of applicants is extremely high. My fellow judges and I have our work cut out for us over the coming month.” 

Michelle Williams is also a benefactor of the fund, which was conceived to honor the memory of Heath Ledger. In addition to this notable dedication supported by colleagues and friends, Christian Bale honored Ledger while on the podium of the People’s Choice Awards just yesterday, saying “On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans. Here’s to Heath.” The Dark Knight scooped up all five awards for which it was nominated, including Favorite Superhero, Favorite Onscreen Match-Up (Bale and Ledger), Favorite Cast, Favorite Movie, and Favorite Action Movie.

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The Dark Knight was the big winner at this year’s People’s Choice Awards, winning five gongs including favorite movie and on-screen pairing for stars Christian Bale and Heath Ledger.

Carrie Underwood took three People’s Choice Awards for favorite female singer, country song “Last Name,” and star under 35 years-old.

Adam Sandler was named funniest male star, Reese Witherspoon favorite female movie star, and Kate Hudson top leading lady.

Other winners included Dancing With the Stars as favorite reality show, House as favorite TV drama, Brad Pitt as favorite leading man, Angelina Jolie as favorite female action star and Ellen DeGeneres as favorite talk show host.

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Heath Ledger is back, and apparently haunting ex-Michelle Williams.

Williams is reported to have made the claim on the set of her new movie “Shutter Island.”

“Stunned” co-workers say Michelle claims to have seen Heath’s ghost twice, and that she was “scared half to death” during the first haunting. She claims to have been woken in the night by a series of eerie bumps, and realized furniture in her bedroom was being moved around.

According to the always reliable National Enquirer she caught a glance of a shadowy figure, which she claims was Heath, although she was 100% sure until she saw his ghost the second time.

The second visit apparently included Heath having a chat, and apologizing for not being able to help raise daughter Matilda.

Rate this with a bucket load of salt.

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The stars all five of them of the Australian Film Industry were out in force in Melbourne Australia, last night for the Australian Film Industry Awards.

Eric Bana and Guy Pearce were this year’s big names in attendance with Eric Bana walking the red carpet with wife Rebecca.

Highlights from the Awards included:

Heath Ledger being posthumously awarded the international award for best actor for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight. Heath’s family said when accepting the award, “We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, who we will cherish forever.” Obviously they had forgotten her name, poor Matilda.  Someone should let Michelle Williams know about this sentiment as there is no love lost between them, and perhaps now the Ledger family might allow Matilda to inherit what is rightfully hers.

And of course it wouldn’t be an Australian awards night without someone telling someone else to get F%^&*. This year that duty was fulfilled by the screenplay co-writer of the Best Picture, Black Balloons.

During his acceptance speech for best original screenplay, Jimmy The Exploder, aka Jimmy Jack, told a film critic to “Get F%^$ed.”  Whist we are sure it made him feel better, no one went to see his movie anyway.

The AFI’s unlike the British Awards (BAFTAs) and the Golden Globes are no prediction for the Oscars, because the Australian film industry is crap. Have you seen the movie Australia? No didn’t think so, like you, I went and saw James Bond instead.

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Michelle Williams has revealed details about her grieving process for late ex-husband Heath Ledger. This is what sucks about promoting your current projects: people invariably start asking you personal questions, and you can’t dodge them because you don’t want to put people off what you’re pimping (in this case, Synecdoche, New York and Wendy and Lucy). I feel bad for her for more than one reason:

“It’s so sad. I guess it’s always changing. What else can I say? I just wake up each day in a slightly different place—grief is like a moving river, so that’s what I mean by ‘it’s always changing’. It’s a strange thing to say because I’m at heart an optimistic person, but I would say in some ways it just gets worse. It’s just that the more time that passes, the more you miss someone. In some ways it gets worse. That’s what I would say.”

Since Michelle’s threatened to stay out of the spotlight forever (thanks to the paparazzi’s intrusion), let’s hope she keeps an even keel and keeps making that serious work on which she seems to thrive.

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What the F? Mary-Kate Olsen is completely off the hook (and probably breathing a sigh of relief) now that the Heath Ledger case has been closed. Even though she tried to make it clear that she had nothing to hide, the whole subpoena thing was looming– and looking slightly dim.

According to reports, prosecutors shut the case after determining that there was “no viable target” in the investigation over how Ledger got two of the drugs that had resulted in accidental overdose.

After reading this piece on Ledger in the L.A. Times, I’m glad to see the focus on Heath and his final days let up a little.

Image: WireImage

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Mary-Kate Olsen is still the only one not to talk about Heath Ledger’s death (and probably the Oxycotin found on him/in him), and is trying to nab immmunity from prosecution. Since she um, might not get it, she might have just effectively made herself more guilty and (even better) guaranteed that officials with try to pursue a grand-jury subpoena. Michael C. Miller, Olsen’s lawyer, denied that she was hiding anything:

“Despite tabloid speculation, Mary-Kate Olsen had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger’s home or his body, and she does not know where he obtained them. We have provided the government with relevant information including facts in the chronology of events surrounding Mr. Ledger’s death and the fact that Ms. Olsen does not know the source of the drugs Mr. Ledger consumed.”

Mary-Kate obviously doesn’t live by the tattle-to-survive technique. Does that mean she has some pluck? I’m surprised.

This one’s far from over. I’ll continue the mini-speculation, thankyouverymuch. Just too odd.

Image: WireImage

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Perth, Australia has dedicated a new theatre named after Heath Ledger in a special ceremony today (Tuesday). This $87 million stunner will seat 575 people and was named after the late actor because of his support for young performers, Western Australian State Premier Alan Carpenter said. He continued:

“Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that’s what made him successful. I think what we’re doing is continuing that support for young people who want to make a career in the arts and acting, stage and in film, whatever it happens to be.”

Ledger’s father was in attendance, where he stated that yes, all this attention has made things “little bit hard.” No sh*t; I don’t know if these things make it better, or worse. Probably both.

The Heath Ledger Theatre is Here is a post from: The Inquisitr