Is there any evidence that the absolutely demanding role of the Joker was a major cause in Heath Ledger's untimely death?

zbeckabee

(CNN) -- Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills, the New York City medical examiner's office said Wednesday. "Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the office said in a short statement. "We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications." http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/06/heath.ledger/index.html Feb 23 09, 11:15 PM

star_gazer

But clearly the bizarre Oscar winning role he played of the Joker could easily lead a person to abuse powerful persciption medications to help create the character and to overcome the stress of having played that very same character. http://www.mamashealth.com/substance/prescription.asp Feb 24 09, 1:15 AM

zbeckabee

I hesitate to post this because parts are purely speculative, however, here you go: IN his last interview, Heath Ledger says The Joker was the most fun character he'd ever play. "It was hard stamina-wise because high levels of energy were required and needed every day," Ledger admits in the video. And while the world waits for the New York Coroner and police to determine what happened, blogster-fans try to solve the mystery from what they glean online. However, the UK's Daily Mail reports Ledger had a heroin addiction which deepened during the filming of Batman when he went into rehab. ' "Heath's addiction was really getting in the way of his ability to act," ' The Daily Mail reports. And bloggers like Scottykazz on Superman homepage says "I hope his reportedly insane work as the Joker didn't put him over the edge." A blogger named Ojacko points to The Internet Media Database's Batman Returns entry: “Ledger found the role extremely difficult, and suffered insomnia as a result.” http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23096273-5012980,00.html MY NOTE: Despite blogger opinions, Mr. Ledger had drug issues prior to this role...and I suspect they'd have played out regardless...not to mention the fact that the drug issues may have been the cause of the role being so difficult. Feb 24 09, 1:31 AM