Actor Heath Ledger’s former Boerum Hill neighbors streamed to the Dean Street home he once shared with actress Michelle Williams in the hours after the star’s sudden death in Manhattan on Tuesday at age 28.
In addition to candles (pictured, top), one mourner left a teddy bear and a note for Williams that read, in part, “I know thing [sic] are tough right now, but god doesn’t give us nothing we can’t handle. Stay strong ’cause your baby needs you more than ever. Just remember he loved you and your baby very much. God bless you!!”
On Wednesday, Williams’s mother, Carla (bottom), walked past the gathered media crews and into the house to await her daughter’s arrival later that night — with baby Matilda — from a film set in Sweden.
Though Ledger’s death brought to mind the loss of fabled young Hollywood icons of the past, his decision to move to Boerum Hill at the peak of his fame, and thoroughly embrace the normalities of Brownstone Brooklyn life, will forever set him apart.
Ledger’s eternal status as a Brooklynite was suggested by Borough President Markowitz, who issued a statement on Tuesday that spoke for grieving fans:
“The sudden and tragic death of former Brooklynite Heath Ledger is sad news to his fans and movie lovers in Brooklyn,” Markowitz said. “My condolences go out to Mr. Ledger’s loved ones as we mourn the passing of this huge talent taken from us far too soon.”
Heath speaks! Read our interview with Ledger from 2006.
