GQ_Australia-December_2017

I

n mid-2000, Heath Ledger bought his first proper LA home.
Nestled in the Hollywood hills, the sprawling Spanish-style pad
was christened ‘Casa Feliz’ – the ‘Happy House’ – and for the next five
years it would be home not just to Ledger, but to a string of friends,
acquaintances and those looking for a place to stay while they
chipped away at a career in Hollywood. The door was always open.
It’s now almost 10 years since Heath Ledger passed away,
but the spirit he created at ‘Casa Feliz’ lives on. Created in 2008, the
Heath Ledger Scholarship is offered through non-profit organisation
Australians in Film, and aims to give emerging Aussie actors a leg up
in an industry that can be notoriously tough to crack.
“The whole idea is to help people who might not otherwise be
exposed to the craziness of the film industry in the US,” says Kim
Ledger, who is not just Heath’s father but a long-time patron of the
scholarship. “So it transports them there, gives them a bit of funding
and opportunities through introductions to agents, producers
or directors.”
In June, Sydney-born Mojean Aria was announced as the ninth
recipient of the scholarship. He gave a touching speech in which he
thanked the Ledger family – Heath’s sister, Kate, is a board member
for Australians in Film – and mentioned a simple question Kim had
asked him: was he helping people? For Kim, that’s what it’s all about.

A DECADE AFTER HEATH LEDGER’S DEATH, HIS

EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION TO AUSTRALIAN FILM

LIVES ON WITH A SCHOLARSHIP THAT’S HELPING TO

EXPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUSSIE TALENT.

WORDS JAKE MILLAR

THE GQ LEGACY AWARD

IN ASSOCIATION WITH BVLGARI

The Heath

Ledger

Scholarship

“I think that rang a few bells for him – as it did for Heath,” Kim

says now. “Heath was always willing to help when someone needed

a hand. He never judged anyone. He was always there to encourage

them in good or bad times.”

The annual scholarship provides a mixture of financial backing

• flights to LA and some living and rental assistance – as well as
  arguably more valuable support, such as immigration services,
  tutoring and professional mentorship in LA. This year’s star-
  studded judging panel included Naomi Watts, Glee creator Ryan
  Murphy, Big Little Lies producer Bruna Papandrea and a number
  of key industry figures.
  This January will mark the 10th anniversary of Heath’s death,
  and while Kim says the loss is still hard to cope with, he sees the
  scholarship as a way of continuing the generosity Heath showed
  towards the next generation of Aussie actors.
  “It doesn’t provide closure, but it gives you a degree of comfort,”
  he says. “In some way, I feel like I’m mirroring what he was doing
  and I know that he would love that. I’ve seen some great people
  come through.”
  Past recipients include Ryan Corr, of Hacksaw Ridge, and Fifty Shades
  Darker star, Bella Heathcote. And while the scholarship has always
  been announced in the US, for it’s 10th year finalists will be revealed
  at an event in Sydney.
  Kim also hopes that one day he will have the chance to create
  a place in LA – a sort of modern-day ‘Casa Feliz’ – where aspiring
  Aussie actors, directors and writers can stay, while they’re starting
  their careers in Hollywood.
  “As with any parent who’s lost a child, it still feels like it was
  yesterday,” Kim admits. “But there has to be some good that comes
  out of anything bad you experience – and if this is the good that
  can come out it, then it’s wonderful.”
  You can’t help but feel Heath must be proud.

184 GQ.COM.AU MEN OF THE YEAR 2017