People_USA_April_24_2017

being typecast as a teen idol.

N’fa Forster-Jones, childhood friend:He

was pushed to be a heartthrob. He told

me about a big meeting where he told

some studio head he refused to be that

guy and was prepared to lose every-

thing. He went out and shot [the gritty

drama]Monster’s Ball after that. He

was happy to live on a beach with very

little—why be something you despise

for money and fame you don’t care for?

His home in Los Feliz, Calif., which he

shared with then-girlfriend Naomi Watts,

became a gathering place for friends.

Mia Doi Todd, singer and friend:He was a

good cook and liked to have long tables

with lots of people. He made a good

Bolognese. He had an open-door policy.

With his restless energy, the star was

always looking for fun—and bringing the

party with him.

Amato:He demanded that we go dance

every Friday night at a place called La

Cita, in downtown L.A., for their Punky

Reggae Party. Every Friday no matter

what. The more, the better.

Kate Ledger:We decided to go to Vegas

with [actress] Rose Byrne, so we went

to a costume store and got all these

clothes and decided on fake names. His

was Sonny Clay.

Ben Harper, musician and friend:I never

met anybody besides Heath who would

show up [unannounced] for breakfast.

Could be between 5 and 8 in the morn-

ing. He had an e-mail address that was

something like illberunningaround

.com. It took me a long, long time to

delete that e-mail.

In 2005 Ledger stunned audiences with

his devastating portrayal of a closeted

gay cowboy inBrokeback Mountain.

Offscreen he fell in love with his costar

Michelle Williams.

Manera:When Heath wanted to apply

himself, he was focused. As soon as he

saw Michelle, it was focus and passion.

He was on cloud nine. Giddy.

Forster-Jones:I had heard about Michelle

before meeting her in Venice, Italy. Heath

picked me up from the airport in a speed-

boat. He was bursting with excitement.

‘IF IT WASN’T

ON THE EDGE,

IT DIDN’T

INTEREST HIM.

IF THERE WASN’T

RISK INVOLVED,

HE HAD

NO TIME FOR IT’

—FRIEND

BEN HARPER

April 24, 2017 PEOPLE 47

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY TREVOR DICARLO; COURTESY LEDGER ESTATE;KARIN CATT; COURTESY LEDGER ESTATE; TREVOR DICARLO; COURTESY LEDGER ESTATE