In the film Batman: The Dark Knight (2008), directed by Christopher Nolan, the actor played the insane clown, also known as Joker. That same year, his family received in his name the most important award given in the United States by the seventh art industry.

According to specialized critics, Ledger achieved one of the best versions of Joker; with talent and skill he shed his skin to then immerse himself in that of this lunatic character.

“We talked about each scene before and he gave me hints of what he was going to do, once he turned the camera on, the result was something unpredictable,” Nolan said.

Regarding the role, the artist once referred that he saw him as a “psychopathic clown, serial killer and schizophrenic without an ounce of empathy.” He considered there were no limits on what the Joker could say or do. “Nothing intimidated him, and everything was a big joke to him.”

Attracted by this behavior, the young performer faced a tough preparation process that led him to frequent a hotel room several times in a month, where he locked himself in with a small journal and experimented with voices. For Ledger, it was important to find a somewhat iconic voice and laugh.

It is undeniable he achieved it, but that time in which he pushed his acting qualities to the limit ended up extinguishing his vitality at the best moment of his career. At only 28 years old, he was considered one of the greatest exponents of his generation within the cinematographic universe.

By then, his name was featured in several productions such as 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Monster’s Ball (2001), A Knight’s Tale (2001), The Order (2003), Casanova (2005), The Brothers Grimm (2005) and Brokeback Mountain (2005).

After his death, numerous theories arose, the truth is that in the last stage of his existence he experienced emotional breakdowns and depression, in addition to the stress caused by work. These factors prevented him from sleeping and led him to mix large portions of medications to combat insomnia.

Result of an overdose, on January 22, 2008 Heath Ledger lost his biggest battle, in an instant the Joker’s laughter was silenced, the lights of reflectors began to blink and the world of entertainment dressed in mourning in honor of that boy who he gave life, soul and heart to art and the viewer.

(Taken from 4th Wall, cultural supplement of Orbe) ef/