Actors Who Never Recovered From Their Most Distressing Roles

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight landed him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, but Ledger never got to claim the award. He passed away suddenly in 2008. The actor was only 28 years old.

Ledger pushed himself further than he had ever gone for a role. In the years following his passing, it was speculated that the mental and physical exhaustion of preparing for the role had contributed to Ledger's demise. Members of his family vehemently disagree with this theory—but it's hard to deny that Ledger may have embodied the Joker beyond the point of return.

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The More You Know

  • Michael Myers’ mask in "Halloween" is William Shatner’s face.
  • Samuel L. Jackson has a clause in his film contracts that allows him to play golf during film shoots whenever he wants.
  • During the filming of the movie Titanic, an angry crew member put PCP in James Cameron’s soup, sending him and 50 others to the hospital.
  • Charles Bronson, Britain's most violent prisoner, actually shaved his trademark mustache off so Tom Hardy could wear it during the filming of "Bronson", which was based on his life in prison.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.