Where were you when you first fell in love with Heath Ledger?

I was in the movie theater watching “Ten Things I Hate About You.” I’m not sure if it was his hair—which was so crazy and unruly it completely worked—or if it was his smile, or that whole “bad boy” vibe, but as a senior in high school, I was so hooked.

At the time, if I was still in Jr. High and picked up Teen Bop magazine from the grocery store, I would’ve so plastered his face across my walls. He was that amazing. And what’s even better (what I discovered much later) was that he was an artist—he cared about his roles. He was picky about them—choosing smaller roles over the blockbusters that he could’ve had. He was a lot like Johnny Depp in that way.

And I hate that, right now, I have to type “was.”

I don’t know the details surrounding his death, and I’m sure it will take a few days to sort all the facts out; what I do know is that Hollywood has lost an amazing actor. It’s rare that the guy I’m not supposed to talk about online but am kinda married to agree on actors/actresses/movies/music/anything really, but we (along with everyone else) were shocked to see the headline tonight. We both thought he was great, and had a lot of potential. We differ in our perspectives though—I’m a Heath Ledger “Ten Things” fan; he’s a Heath Ledger “The Patriot” fan. I admit it: I liked him because he was swoon-worthy. That guy I’m kinda married to saw the talent (can’t really imagine him swooning over anything).

Either way, it’s awful to see him die at such a young age.

I imagine the blogosphere is full of these posts tonight. I just thought I’d add mine.

Here’s to Heath….