On Heath, briefly

Photo: Getty Images

These are always weird days in newsrooms, no matter how virtual the room itself or how shallow we may usually seem. Obits are the first lesson taught in any journalism school, but the instructors rarely address the utter uselessness felt during the real-world implementation. Especially when the phone keeps buzzing and the instant messages are piling up, everyone expecting some kind of official gay opinion on it all.

We'll leave the salacious mud-slinging and rumor-mongering about the circumstances of his death to others (don't worry, I'm sure you know where to look) and simply say that Heath Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain was heartbreaking and breathtaking and terrifyingly honest. That's all I've ever wanted or thought I deserved from an actor playing gay, so the fact that he also managed a barrage of spring-loaded questions with a great deal of grace and many good answers is even more impressive.

Here's the Advocate's interview with Ledger from 2006. I liked this quote a lot:

Having played Ennis, on the off chance that your child comes to you with the "Dad, I'm gay" speech, do you think you’re ready to hear it now?
Oh, it wouldn't have bothered me beforehand. I don't have a further appreciation for people who are gay; I always have. It's never been an issue for me. Of course, if my child came to me and said that, I'd love them even more for being honest with me.

Comments

[el madartista]

wow. a definite class act. so tragic a loss.