Heath Ledger's hometown to name theater after him

[July 02, 2008]  PERTH, Australia (AP) -- The Australian hometown of the late actor Heath Ledger named a theater in his honor Tuesday for his commitment to acting.

The $87 million, 575-seat Heath Ledger Theater in Perth is a fitting tribute because Ledger was always supportive of other young actors, Western Australia state Premier Alan Carpenter said at a naming ceremony.

Ledger died at 28 of an accidental prescription drug overdose in New York in January.

"Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that's what made him successful," Carpenter said. "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."

Kim Ledger, the actor's father, called the tribute a pleasant surprise.

"He was such a giver to the arts right across the board. I really feel that there's not a lot of things he'd put his name to, but he'd put his name to that," said Kim Ledger, who attended Tuesday's ceremony.

Kim Ledger said family members would travel to New York later this month to attend a screening of "The Dark Knight." Heath Ledger plays the Joker in the movie, his final full film role. The actor's performance has already been lauded by critics.

The renewed attention on his son because of the film has made the family's grieving process difficult, Ledger said.

"It's just been a little more public and the films make it a little more public as well," he said. "It's been a little bit hard, but we've always been extremely proud of his work and that hasn't changed."

Ledger received a best-actor Academy Award nomination for his role in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain."

"The Dark Knight" opens in theaters July 18.

[Associated Press]

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