Heath Ledger's tragic death at age 28 was a brutal shock for Hollywood in January 2008. Just months after filming his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight - for which he posthumously won an Oscar, BAFTA and a Golden Globe Award - the Australian actor passed away from an accidental overdose.
Heath, who was also famed for his roles in 10 Things I Hate About You and Brokeback Mountain, was one-third of the way through filming the fantasy film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus when he passed away. It was on the movie's set in London that final photographs of him were taken.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe film, directed by Terry Gilliam, follows a travelling theatre troupe whose leader makes a deal with the Devil, trading his immortality for youth, on the condition that when his daughter reaches her 16th birthday, she becomes the Devil's property.
In photos taken on the set in Clerkenwell, Islington, Heath wears a clown costume while in character as the charming con artist Tony Shephard.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe film also starred Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, who stepped in to help complete Heath's scenes after his death. The trio gave their fees to the late actor's daughter Matilda.
Heath's daughter Matilda
Heath welcomed Matilda, now 20, during his relationship with his Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams, whom he met on the film's set in 2004.
Following a whirlwind romance, the pair became engaged and welcomed Matilda in October 2005.
© Getty ImagesTwo months after becoming a dad, Heath gushed to InTouch about his little girl. "Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise," he said, adding: "Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had — it's marvelous."
Matilda's godparents are fellow actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Busy Phillipps, while Succession actor Jeremy Strong, a close friend of Michelle's, has also been a prominent figure in her life.
© Getty Images"[Matilda] didn't grow up with her father, but she grew up with her Jeremy — and we were changed by his ability to play as though his life depended upon it, because hers did," Michelle told Variety in 2022.
Michelle and Heath split in September 2007 and reportedly remained on amicable terms until the Monster's Ball star's passing.
Matilda inherited her father's fortune
Following his death, Heath's entire $16.3 million fortune was left to his parents and sisters. His will was written in 2003, two years before his daughter was born.
© GettyHowever, the family ultimately decided to donate the entire fortune to Matilda and insisted that her mother Michelle would be provided for.
"Our family has gifted everything to Matilda. There was never any question about the fact that Heath's estate would go to Matilda. Never a question. We are very close to Michelle and Matilda," Heath's father told People.
