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"Brokeback Mountain" actor Ledger found dead

2008-01-22 17:03:45

Actor Heath Ledger is pictured in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain" in this undated publicity photograph. Ledger received a best actor nomination for his role for the upcoming 78th Academy Awards. The nominations were announced in Beverly Hills, California Jan. 31, 2006, and the Oscars will be presented March 5, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Actors Heath Ledger (L) and Jake Gyllenhaal are pictured in a scene from 'Brokeback Mountain' in this undated publicity photograph. The film has been nominated for best picture for the upcoming 78th Academy Awards.The nominations were announced in Beverly Hills, California, Jan. 31, 2006, and the Oscars will be presented March 5, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

(File Photo)

Ang Lee (C), nominated director for "Brokeback Mountain" holds his nominees plaque as he poses with the films' stars Heath Ledger (L) and Jake Gyllenhaal (R) backstage at the 58th Annual Directors Guild Awards in Century City, California Jan. 28, 2006.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

(File Photo)

NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Actor Heath Ledger, who was nominated for an Oscar for starring in "Brokeback Mountain," was found dead in his Manhattan apartment Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say the death was probably drug-related.

The 28 year-old Australian-born actor's body was discovered by his housekeeper, who had gone to get Ledger for a scheduled massage, local TV station NY1 reported.

Police say there were pills found at the location.

Ledger was recently seen in the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There." He had recently finished filming a turn as the Joker in "The Dark Night," a sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins," NY1 said.

Ledger was survived by a daughter, Matilda. Matilda's mother, actress Michelle Williams, whom Ledger met in 2005 while filming "Brokeback Mountain," split with him last year.

"Brokeback Mountain" actor Ledger found dead

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