Wednesday marks the 32nd birthday of the talented film star, Heath Ledger, who died of a sudden accidental overdose, mid-way through filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in 2008.
The Aussie actor best known for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight, left school at age 16 to fulfill his acting ambition, his death touched thousands who paid tribute with flowers, cards and candles - outside his New York apartment.
And he's not the only Hollywood icon whose life was tragically cut short, Heath's death adds to a long list of A-listers whose lives came to a tragic end, some at the height of their career, many following overdoses.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
July 23, 1967 - February 2, 2014
Died aged 46
Oscar-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment of a drugs overdose in February 2014.
The star, famous for his roles in The hunger Games, Mission Impossible 3 and Cold Mountain, died from a mix of heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines.
The 46-year-old had previously sought treatment for a heroin addiction after 23 years of sobriety. His death was ruled an accident.
Paul Walker
September 12, 1973 - November 30, 2013
Died aged 40
Hollywood heartthrob Paul Walker died in a car crash last November whilst driving through California following a charity event with his daughter and girlfriend.
The Hollywood heartthrob was travelling as a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a tree and burst into flames. He was half way through filming Fast & Furious 7 at the time of his death.
Amy Winehouse
September 14, 1983 - July 23, 2011
Died aged 27
Soulful pop singer Amy Winehouse died of an alcohol overdose in 2011 at just 27. Her short life and career was marred by her constant battle with drugs and alcohol.
Amy was found dead in 2011 at her Camden home.
The London-born artist won five Grammy awards for her 2006 album Back to Black, the album also posthumously became the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century when she died.
Brittany Murphy
November 10, 1977 - December 20, 2009
Died aged 32
Hollywood beauty Brittany Murphy's death shocked the entire film industry.
The Just Married star mysteriously collapsed and died in the shower in 2009, her death at just 29, was ruled as natural, however speculation about the cause of it continues five years on.
Brittany's final film, Something Wicked will be debuted in cinemas this year.
Cory Monteith
May 11, 1982 - July 13, 2013
Died aged 31
Canadian actor and Glee star, Cory Monteith, died from a heroin and champagne cocktail in July 2013.
The young star's official cause of death is listed as "mixed drug toxicitis". His body was discovered in his Vancouver hotel room following the overdose.
Cory had a history of illicit drug use with intermittent periods of rehabilitation and of abstinence from drugs prior to his death.
Marylin Monroe
June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962
Died aged 36
Famed actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe died of an overdose mid-way through filming Something's Got to Give - she was 36 at the time of her death.
Monroe lived a troubled life and spent most of her childhood in foster homes, her death was listed as 'probable suicide'.
In 2009, TV Guide network named the icon Film's Sexiest Woman of All Time.
Whitney Houston
August 9, 1963 - February 11, 2012
Died aged 40
Queen of Gospel, Whitney Houston, tragically passed away on the eve of the Grammys in 2011, she was 48 at the time of her death.
A fatal cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol killed the soul star who was later found in her hotel room drowned in a bathtub.
The coroner's report found The Bodyguard actress was most likely dead before she entered the water, based on the level of water in her lungs.
Heath ledger
April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008
Died aged 28
In January 2008, Ledger was found unconscious in his bed by his housekeeper, Teresa Solomon. The star died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills and prescription drugs.
The Aussie actor best known for his role in The Dark Knight, left school at age 16 to fulfill his acting ambition, his tragic death left his 5-year-old daughter Matilda, without a father.
L'Wren Scott
April 28, 1964 - March 17, 2014
Died aged 49
American fashion designer, model and long-term girlfriend to Mick Jagger, L'Wren Scott was tragically found hanged to death in her Manhattan apartment in March 2014.
New York City authorities determined Scott's manner and cause of death to be suicide by hanging.
The brunette beauty left her estate to her Rolling Stones lover Jagger, who led the tributes at her private LA funeral.
Ryan Dunn
June 11, 1997 - June 20, 2011
Died aged 34
A star of MTV's Jackass, Ryan Dunn, died in an alcohol-related car accident at the age of 34.
The daredevil died alongside his friend Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant on Jackass Two, he left behind his long-term girlfriend Angie Cuturi.
Michael Jackson
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
Died aged 50
The King of Pop stunned the world when passed away, after he was rushed to hospital following cardiac arrest aged 50.
The legendary performer's sudden death triggered a global outpouring of grief and a live broadcast of his public funeral.
The controversial death resulted in his personal physician being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011.
Michael Jackson's posthumous album, Xscape, will be released in 2014 and will feature eight new tracks from the late artist's archive.
Natasha Richardson
May 11, 1963 - March 18, 2009
Died aged 45
The wife of Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson passed away aged 45, after suffering a serious brain injury while skiing in Canada.
The English stage actress was famous for her roles in the 1986 film Gothic and Maid in Manhattan.
The star's death left her two sons, Micheál and Daniel without a mother.
James Dean
February 8, 1931 - September 30, 1955
Died aged 24
The premature death of Rebel Without a Cause actor James Dean came following a car crash aged just 24.
The star who died at the height of his career became a Hollywood legend despite his fame being cut short by a tragic turn of events.
James was the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and remains the only actor to ever receive two posthumous acting nominations.
Kurt Cobain
February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994
Died aged 27
Grunge founder, Kurt Cobain famously shot himself in his Seattle home at the age of 27.
The controversial death of the Nirvana frontman sparked a lot of fascination and debate, however it is thought his death stemmed from his long-running heroin addiction.
Kurt was married to musician Courtney Love at the time of his death.
Jimi Hendrix
November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970
Died aged 27
American guitar hero Jimi Hendrix was 27 when he was found dead in a London flat.
The musical icon, famous for his shy nature on stage, died of asphyxia while intoxicated with barbiturates.
In 1992, his former girlfriend Kathy Etchingham requested the case in to his death be reopened, a subsequent inquiry by Scotland Yard however, proved inconclusive.
Bruce Lee
November 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973
Died aged 32
Martial Arts expert Bruce Lee's life was cut short at just 32 after he suffered a cerebral endema caused by an allergic reaction to pain medication.
The multi-talented actor and film-maker died three weeks before the 1973 premiere of the movie of his career, Enter the Dragon.
Tupac Shakur
June 16, 1971 - September 13, 1996
Died aged 25
Revolutionary hip hop artist, Tupac Shakur died of internal bleeding, at the age of 25 from a fatal gunshot wound.
The rapper and actor who has sold over 75 million records worldwide, was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.
Elvis Presley
January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977
Died aged 42
Elvis Presley was discovered dead in the bathroom at his Graceland home.
The coroner reported the King of Rock's death as cardiac arrhythmia - caused by prescription drugs overdose.
Elvis's father had the complete autopsy report sealed following his death, it will remain sealed until 2027 - 50 years after The King's death.
Judy Garland
June 10, 1922 - June 22, 1969
Died aged 47
One of the brightest stars of Hollywood's Golden Era, Judy Garland, was found dead in the bathroom of her Chelsea house.
The troubled starlet's demise is thought to have stemmed from her long-running battle with drugs and alcohol, and her passing was listed as an overdose.
The Wizard of Oz star and Grammy award-winner was posthumously awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
John Lennon
October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980
Died aged 40
John Winston Ono Lennon MBE, was tragically murdered in New York City, aged 40.
The Beatles legend was been shot multiple times by an unknown gunman who opened fire outside the musician's New York apartment.
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