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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Untimely Death Sucks for Everyone



On January 22, 2008 well known, Oscar nominated , 28 yr old actor, Heath Ledger was found dead in his Soho apartment.
He was found unresponsive by his masseuse and maid.

A week earlier, on January 15th , lesser known but popular actor Brad Renfro was also found dead on the other side of the country in Los Angeles.
They may have been on opposite sides of country but this week they have too much in common. According to reports Ledger was found lying unconscious, naked, face down on his bed surrounded by a deadly brew of different prescriptions. Renfro was found by roommates, in his room, unconscious after a night of heavy drinking.

Both are also parents of young children. Ledger is the father of a two year girl and Renfro rumored to be the father of a four year old son in Japan. Renfro’s status as a father has been confirmed but the details are private.






As they should be.

They were similar but not identical. Young successful actors with real problems. Problems that seem to affect everyone regardless of how much money or fame they have managed to acquire.

Unlike Ledger, Renfro had a long history of well-documented substance abuse problems and run ins with the law. Ledger on the other hand, was rumored to be despondent over his recent break-up with fiancĂ©e Michelle Williams, the mother of his daughter. Ledger’s public life, before the split, was a story book.


Both young actors had established themselves in their respective crafts . Ledger recently became a household name by boldly portraying a gay cowboy in the Academy Award winning film ‘Brokeback Mountain’. A risky move even in our enlightened times. Renfro was quickly emerging as an adult A-list star after suffering a slow period in his career which began when he was ten years old.

How do these guys who seemingly have it all, lose it?

Was it suicide or an accident?

In Ledger’s case those close to him are claiming it as an accidental death but the sheer number of different prescriptions he ingested has to be considered. Recently during an interview he also spoke of a morbid paradox after the birth of his two year old daughter, Matilda.

Before her birth he was not particularly afraid to die however after she was born he had a desire to see her grow.

A surprising disturbing revelation to me. The desire to live, especially for someone young handsome and rich, I thought, is assumed.

In the wake of Ledger’s death those close to him say he was devastated by the split with his fiancee. He was depressed, overworked, staying out late, dabbling in drugs and had even been linked to notorious party girls. The names are unimportant. More tabloid fodder and speculation. Is it possible Heath was trying to stifle the pain of his break-up?



Is it possible drugs and alcohol played a role in his break-up?

He is dead now, it does not matter.

Renfro was, according to his rep, putting the drugs behind him. He had recently spent time with his son in his hometown, Knoxville Tennessee and was working on a film with co-star Winona Ryder. Things were looking up.

Two actors twenty five and twenty eight years old die mysteriously in the same week.
The irony surrounding their deaths will undoubtedly lead to the surrealistic bio-pics on each of their lives. They will continue to live on through their children, the work they finished and the work their tragic lives will inspire.

They say these things happen in threes.

Lets all hope not.

Oh yeah, and hold off on The ‘Brokeback Mountain’ jokes.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dave, I had a conversation with a friend of mine on the train this morning about Heath Ledger. I told this person that I see his death as something to pity, but not something to feel sad over. Sad is an emotion I reserve for a father or mother who dies too young orphaning children who now have no other means of support. Ya know, like all those dads in the National Guards who died in vain for the 900+ lies told by the Bush Administration.

I really hated making the conversation take a political turn, but sometimes I feel this incredible urge to inject some perspective when people feel sadness for the loss of an entertainer. They won't be missed nearly as much as those men and women who wanted to live but caught a bullet or some shrapnel instead.

David B. Dancy said...

Spartacus- Responses like yours is why I blog. It is of astronomical importance to highlight all the unnecessary lives that arelost daily or to at least give a little reverence to victim of an u8ntimely especially this damn war.
Spartacus we have been fighting for so long.
War, I think, is one of our favorite pastimes.
Now- Rack em' and Pack em'!!!!

Seven said...

Christian Brando dies at L.A. hospital!

David B. Dancy said...

Who can ever forget the name of Christian's hapless victim, Dag Drollet?

David B. Dancy said...

The whole Brando family was a disaster worhty of comparison to Brittney's ongoing trainwreck.
Brando's sister also committed suicide.

no_slappz said...

dbd, you wrote:

"Two actors twenty five and twenty eight years old die mysteriously in the same week."

There was nothing mysterious about either death. Both overdosed. Neither was murdered. Each of the actors fullfilled his death wish.

Both were self-absorbed morons who were so selfish they gave zero consideration to the children they were depriving of fathers.

You wrote:

"The irony surrounding their deaths will undoubtedly lead to the surrealistic bio-pics on each of their lives."

What irony? I don't see a drop of irony in these pointless self-sacrifices.

The appropriate term is "cliche".

You wrote:

"They will continue to live on through their children, the work they finished and the work their tragic lives will inspire."

Not a chance. Ledger's kid is too young to have known him, and didn't live with him. Hence, no relationship. No carrying on of Ledger's whatever.

Renfro's kid? Exactly what exists for the kid to carry on? Renfro was far from the A-list. He will be remembered mainly for his self destruction, if he's remembered for anything. He wasn't James Dean.

David B. Dancy said...

Slappy- What will you be remembered for?


That's what I thought.

no_slappz said...

dbd,

Why ask such a lame question?

There are 6.5 billion people in the world. All but a handful will live and die anonymously.

Meanwhile, I have two kids. I care only about what they think. Their view of me matters. But aside from their opinions, only those of a couple of other people mean anything to me.

David B. Dancy said...

I asked you such a lame question to get a reaction. To insure a response. Like one of Pavlov's dog's (a amart dog) you did what I thought you would. You claim to care what your kid's think of you. Share your veiws that you so freely post on other peoples comment sections.
Explain to them why you would belittle anyones life or death. Tell them why it is o.k. not to care. Tell them who you really are. Tell them there is no such thing as 'peak oil'.
I agree you do care how they feel that is exactly why they do not know who you really are.
Oh yeah, I am flattered that my opinion means something to you. After all, that's why you are here.

no_slappz said...

Hey, fight for the right to party. Accidental suicide. What a jerk.

Heath Ledger Died Of Prescription Drug Overdose, M.E. Says

NEW YORK -- The medical examiner has concluded that actor Heath Ledger's death was an accident, and the result of the abuse of prescription medications.

The medical examiner released results of the toxicology report Wednesday, saying Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of six drugs, including pain killers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety drugs.

The six drugs found in his system were oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine, the medical examiner's office said.

The drugs are the generic names for the OxyContin painkiller, the anti-anxiety drug Valium, Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug, and the sleep aids Restoril and Unisom. Hydrocodone is another name for the better-known Vicodin.

Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Jan. 22.

Ledger, 28, was found face down and naked on his bed and naked at 3:26 p.m. by his housekeeper.

His housekeeper had entered Ledger's room to let him know that a masseuse had arrived for an appointment, police said.

Police sources said investigators found two bottles of sleeping and anti-anxiety pills at the apartment.

While not a marquee movie star, Ledger was a respected, award-winning actor who chose his roles carefully rather than cashing in on his heartthrob looks.

He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," where he met Michelle Williams, who played his wife in the 2005 film. The two had a daughter, now 2-year-old Matilda, and lived together until they split up last year.

Anonymous said...

I love how Spartacus and you find a creative way to use the deaths of 2 actors to make a political point regarding the war. War is directly responsible for the freedom you enjoy. It's a nessesary evil because too many unqualified leaders have too much power. You act like the ability to reason exists. If the world were not filled with powerful nut jobs we could all relax and hug trees, but lets just come to grips with reality.

Also, Stop trying to call slappz a dog that obeyed you. You asked a lame question, admit it. Instead of telling Slappz to share with his kids "who he really is" you go share with yours that your a dork. You give yourself to much credit.

David B. Dancy said...

Anonymous I should let your badly written words speak for themselves I should not even dignify it with a response but you had to call me a dork.
Dork?
Name calling? C'mon-you have to inhabit one of the lamest corners of America, a place where war solves problem where killing is o.k..

Where people hide and throw things at you.

You are probably a racist too.

This just in- war is obselete.

Anonymous you write exactly like the unqualified leaders you are referring to.

The ability to reason does exist...for you , maybe not.
most outsppoken jerks hide behind avatars and anonymous designations the true definition of low self esteem and cowardice.

Do you think any of our leaders are powerful nut jobs?

Remember, we are the only ones who ever used nukes.

It is amazing how one sided this insanity-your insanity- is.

We have killed millions the name of the so-called freedoms you enjoy.

But we have more people in jail than China.

You are probably a product of No Child left behind therefore you have a one sided limited view of world history.

Google- Common Sense(a foreign concept for you)

Anonymous-"Your are a nut job stalker type".

Now we are both name calling.

Welcome to Dancyscorner.

Anonymous said...

I called you a Dork to get a reaction. To insure a response. Like one of Pavlov's dog's (a amart dog) you did what I thought you would. Man Why would race have anything to do with this discussion? Most outspoken jerks hide behind race, the true definition of low self esteem and cowardice.
It's a nice thought that we can all get along, I'm not aginst peace. I pray for it. It's sad that as a human race we have not advanced past war and fighting. You think you can reason with unqualified, unchallenged, powerful, and insane world leaders that rule by fear. They are running countries when they should be running a store at your local flee market.
Here I'll answer your questions: (poorly written, not badly)
Q. You are probably a racist too?
A. No, but thanks for going there.

Q. Is war obselete?
A. No, but I guess you can pretend.

Q. Why do we hasve more people in prison than China?
A. People that are free have to practice self control and responsibility. There's large number of people who can't handle that responsibility.

Q.Do you think any of our leaders are powerful nut jobs?
A. Sure, but they get challenged, and they get replaced. By living in a diverse nation we produce more tolerant and open minded leaders. But nut jobs are everywhere. And at times have to be dealt with accordingly. Their intentions, beliefs, and ability to prevent and sabbotage the advancement of peace is what makes them unreasonable.

Q. Am I a nut job stalker type?
A. If stummbling across this blog on accident and speaking my mind is what to you classifies a nut job then yes. I don't have a user name or password on this site so I'm not hidding I just couldn't post unless I selected Anonymous.

Also, I'm throwing nothing but my opinion, don't be so sensitive.

I get the impression your ashamed to be American. I could be wrong but some of your comments lead me to this impression. I'm feel sorry for you if this is true. Be proud and confident have a little faith in your Country. It's a nice luxury to disagree and voice an opinion. A freedom too many take for granted.
Go live in China where they never nuked anybody and you have less of a chance to be thrown in jail. There's no Google there though. Hmmmm.

Respectfully,
Insane nut job stalker hiding and throwing things without any common sense and a no child left behind limited world history view living in a lame corner of America.

David B. Dancy said...

Anonymous admitted Insane Nutjob- granted I should not have introduced race but it was to get a reaction. i knew your narcissitic sense of self would require a return to Dancyscorner.
As far vas my patriotism I am confident my family and I have sacrificed much more for the betterment of America than anyone in your entire bloodline.
I have personally helped this country 'move forward'.
What have you done?...anonymous.
]Oh yeah war is obsolete just like swearing. It is the refuge of the ignorant frenzied response to a conundrum.
Many culture did not have a word for it.
It is stupid



Please...hurry back.

Anonymous said...

"As far vas my patriotism I am confident my family and I have sacrificed much more for the betterment of America than anyone in your entire bloodline."

I'm very happy to see you’re confident in something. I do like how you assume the above statement. That's magnificent! How do you just conclude so accurately having nothing to support it? I suppose you may be using sorcery or a crystal ball to view me and my bloodlines sacrifices.
If blind statements is how you form conclusions that might explain your views.

"Anonymous admitted Insane Nutjob- granted I should not have introduced race but it was to get a reaction. i knew your narcissitic sense of self would require a return to Dancyscorner."

Sounds like I'm not a stalker after all but just another victim of your mind control. According to you, you thought to yourself the following statement; "how can I get a reaction from this Insane nut job stalker hiding and throwing things without any common sense and a no child left behind limited world history view living in a lame corner of America?"

Seriously, enough with the I did it on purpose copout. I thought you would have taken the hint when I used the Pavlov’s dog remark on you.

I noticed you really didn't disagree with what I had to say. You just felt like your patriotism was being questioned so you became defensive. If you read carefully I specifically said I get the impression, but could be wrong that you’re ashamed to be American. I said nothing about patriotism. So once again thanks for going there.
If your only motive in your response is to profess your patriotism, which you mistakenly felt was in question, then I'll give you a big ol ada boy!
I don't see a disagreement anymore from you just an attempt at, for lack of a better term, a pissing contest. I will respectfully decline your contest invitation.
I was initially motivated to share my opinion and get a few things off my chest but if all I'm going to get in return are blind concussions and unwarranted defensive statements then I am wasting my time.

Respectfully,
Guy that has sacrificed less than you for the betterment of our country.

David B. Dancy said...

Good beause I would easily out piss you. Now, if you want to get something off your chest or share your opinion do what I and many millions of other people have done...get your own blog.
Talk to your husband.
Get a therapist.
Remember you were not invited I simply accomodated you, I allowed you to respond and will continue to. My google analytics is doing the rest i could easily moderate your comments and this would be over but you must like me.
How does it feel to be a lab rat?

The new DSM-V is coming out there all kinds of new and exciting diagnosis.

respectfully- svengali

David B. Dancy said...

oops... I mean dorky svengali