Actor Heath Ledger in January at the age of 28 years old. Ledger has appeared in more than 20 motion pictures, including The Patriot, A Knight's Tale, and Brokeback Mountain. He was also set to star as the Joker in the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, due to hit theaters in the summer of 2008.
Ledger joins a long list of actors and musicians who have died young due to a drug or alcohol abuse. The linked article discusses some of the circumstances that lead young people to turn to drugs.
The news of Heath Ledger's death caught many off guard. He was a skilled young actor who seemed devoted to his art and focused on becoming a great actor. The official word on how he died indicates that Ledger overdosed on prescription medicine. This sad story will serve as an example for many on the many dangers of prescription drug use.
Think About It:
- What would it be like to be a movie star at a young age?
- Does it surprise you that some famous people abuse drugs and alcohol? Why or why not?
- How can prescription drugs be just as dangerous as illegal drugs?