Heath Ledger’s Oscar nomination for his performance as The Joker in “The Dark Knight” was no surprise to anyone when it was announced this morning. But his winning isn’t a slam dunk since the Academy does not have a great record of rewarding actors posthumously.

The last time an actor won an Oscar after he was no longer around to enjoy it was more than 30 years ago—before Heath Ledger was even born. According to the Associated Press, the only Oscar awarded posthumously to an actor in the 81-year history of the Academy Awards went to Peter Finch for the 1976 film “Network.” So Ledger’s chances don’t look good. Tom O’Neil, a columnist for TheEnvelope.com, told AP, “The fact that only one actor has ever won an Oscar from the grave tells us that in general at the Oscars, the feeling is when you’re dead, you’re dead.”

So can Ledger be the one to break this jinx? His death so affected people that we’re still talking about it a year later, mourning the loss of so much potential, taken away so soon. Maybe his time will come—even if he’s not here to savor the moment.

The legal fight over a video that allegedly showed Heath Ledger doing drugs is over but another case goes on. AP reports that an attorney for a former People magazine freelancer who appears briefly on the tape stated ”The matter has been resolved.” The writer had later sued to get the tape destroyed.

After Ledger’s death last January. “Entertainment Tonight” planned to air parts of the footage but backed off after negative reactions from stars and publicists. 

Still pending is the case seeking the release of Ledger’s $10 million life insurance payout to his daughter, Matilda Rose. A trial is scheduled for August in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The newspaper and broadcast editors surveyed by the Associated Press have chosen the tragic death of actor Heath Ledger in February the top entertainment story of 2008. Other stories rating with AP included the end of the writers strike, the huge box office take for “The Dark Knight,” political comedy, Britney Spears, plus the deaths of Paul Newman, George Carlin, Tim Russert and the family of Jennifer Hudson. Let’s welcome the end of a really depressing year.

Probably not but nobody seems willing to take a chance. Page Six is reporting that the the three-bedroom loft in SoHo where Heath Ledger died has been taken off the rental market after failing to attract a tenant. The the 4,400-square-foot apartment had been listed for rental since late July at $26,000 per month. The combination of bad vibes and the currently depressed rental market make this crib a hard sell.

NBC’s very long-running series “Law and Order” has always claimed their stories are “ripped from the headlines” but an upcoming episode seems to have been ripped a bit raggedly. According to Page Six, an upcoming plot is “supposed to be about Heath Ledger” and features Ryan Locke as a male supermodel who “has a great career and gets all the ladies” but meets a premature end when the character “leaves a club with a girl. They have sex and do drugs, and the next morning, his friend finds him dead.”

The cause of death part sounds more like John Belushi than Heath Ledger since the latter’s unfortunate demise was due to an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs.

Actress Michelle Williams recently opened up to Newsweek magazine about her feelings for Heath Ledger,the father of her three-year-old daughter Matilta, which obviously remain strong 10 months after his death. 

“I just wake up each day in a slightly different place – grief is like a moving river…It’s a strange thing to say, because I’m at heart an optimistic person, but I would say in some ways it just gets worse. It’s just that the more time that passes, the more you miss someone. In some ways it gets worse. That’s what I would say.”

The actress also said she is taking a year away from work to give her daughter a more normal life.

Just in time for Halloween, Forbes magazine has released its annual list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities, all of whom are raking in millions without doing a thing.  Topping the list for the second year in a row is Elvis Presley, whose estate earned a hunka hunka burning cash—$52 million. Cartoonist Charles Schulz was second with $33 million, which is hardly “Peanuts.” Making his unfortunate debut on the list at number three is Heath Ledger with $20 million, mostly from his lucrative merchandising deal with the film “The Dark Knight.” Also new to the list is Paul Newman, whose salad dressings and other enterprises brought in $5 million. The most enduring icons on the list are Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, with $6.5 million and $5 million, respectively. Wonder how many of these are making more money dead than they did alive?

Mary Kate Olsen has decided not to talk to federal investigators who are looking into Heath Ledger’s accidental death in February. The New York Post is reporting that MK refuses to talk to feds unless she receives immunity from prosecution. Mary Kate was the first person called after her masseuse (also there for an appointment with Heath) discovered the actor’s body at his Broome Street apartment in NYC. MK, instead of calling 911, called her bodyguards and sent them to Heath’s apartment to check on the actor. Probers have talked to everyone connected to Heath and his death, including his ex-fiance, actress Michelle Williams. One of the Post’s source explained that MK would be the final witness they need to conclude their investigation into where he got his drugs and medicines.

According to the L.A. Times, Heath Ledger’s family is planning to attend the Dark Knight premiere next month in New York. The family will travel from Australia to see Heath’s final completed film. The film has been dedicated to Ledger by the director, Christopher Nolan, and will have a memoriam to the actor at the end. Co-star Christian Bale called Heath’s performance in the movie “incredibly intense” in Details Magazine. Heath died in January and I can’t believe it’s been over five months since his death. He is still very much missed. RIP, Heath.

I’m assuming this is just another piece of news that Heath Ledger’s extended family is talking about just to stay on the news. One of Heath Ledger’s estranged uncles (and the key word is estranged) just told an Aussie newspaper that Heath might have a love child. Heath reportedly dated a 25 year old woman when he was seventeen who got pregnant right after they separated. A couple of Heath’s uncles have come forward since his will was made public, which Heath’s dad Kim is in charge of. One of his uncles has told newspapers that Kim is not fit to manage Heath’s estate due to his mismanagement of their late grandfather’s estate. Regarding his supposed love child, I think the woman would’ve said something to him once he became famous. If she really wanted him in the child’s life, this wouldn’t be the first time we’d hear of it. I’m just saying. Let the man rest in peace, I say. I really doubt this news is true, but you can draw your own conclusions.

The actor just died over two months ago and there’s already feuding going on over his estate. I’m sure this is not what Heath Ledger wanted. Heath’s uncle, Mike, in Australia is claiming that Kim Ledger (Heath’s dad) should not be in control of the late actor’s asset. The uncle asserts that Kim was once in control of their late grandfather’s estate and “plunged it into enormous debt.” Mike states that they have nothing to gain by taking Kim out of controlling the late actor’s will – it’s all for Matilda. But a close friend of the late actor’s family did speak out and said that the relatives speaking out have been estranged from Heath’s family for over 15 years. They really dont’t know what they’re talking about then. It’s sad to know that when it comes to money, even family members can forget to just respect the dead.

The New York Daily News is reporting about Heath Ledger’s will today. The report claims that the will was drawn up in 2003 before he had a relationship with Michelle Williams and the birth of their daughter, Matilda Rose. Heath died of an accidental overdose in January. The will states that all his assets be left to his parents and sister. The will was filed in Australia and the bulk of his estate will be handled in his home country. It is unknown if there will be a revision in his will to include Michelle and daughter Matilda. Knowing how close Michelle is to his family, I’m certain they’ll make sure that the mother and daughter are taken care of.

Two doctors are being investigated for their involvement in Heath Ledger’s death. The Federal Drug investigators are concentrating on M.D.’s in both California and Texas for alegedlly supplying the drugs (OxyCotin, and Vicodine) that led to Heath’s sudden death back in January, according to the New York Daily News.

The authorities want to make sure these drugs were prescribed legally. The authorities have stated to the news that, “this will be an ongoing investigation, and that they are not sure if there were any wrong doings at this point”.

Of course the examiners office have reported that this was an accidental death due to prescription drugs including pain killers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety meds.

We hope that the Ledger family will have some closure and that they find who’s responsible for this talented actor’s death, who was taken too soon…

This is a very touching story. OK Magazine is reporting that three actors will be taking over Heath Ledger’s last movie role. Heath was in the middle of filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, playing Tony, when he suddenly passed last month. Production for the movie immediatedly halted upon Heath’s death, but will now pick up again in Canada. The three actors who will replace Heath are Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. It is unknown how they will rewrite the three actors into the storyline, but since the film is a fantasy-themed circus flick, it should be easy to find a creative way to use all three actors.

New York’s chief Medical Examiner announced the cause of Heath Ledger’s death today. According to their offices, Heath died due to an accidental mixture of prescription drugs. He suffered acute intoxication by the combined effects of Oxycodone (a pain killer), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Diazepam (Valium), Temazepam (anxiety medication), Alprazolam (Xanax), and Doxylamine (a sleep aid). The Medical Examiner ruled out suicide as cause, but they did state that his death was caused by the “abuse” of medication. Heath Ledger was found dead at his Manhattan apartment on January 22. His body is back in his hometown of Perth, Australia, where he will finally be buried. Michelle Williams and daughter Matilda are said to already be in Perth. I hope the announcement regarding the cause of his death gives a bit of closure to his family and friends. RIP, Heath.

Yet another disturbing piece of news coming out of Heath Ledger’s tragic death. Huffingtonpost.com is reporting that there is a man impostering Heath’s dad, Kim Ledger. I guess this imposter got on the phone with Tom Cruise and was able to speak with him for a few minutes until the actor realized it was a hoax. Said imposter has also tried to get a free plane ticket from John Travolta, and has tried to trick the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan into booking free rooms for him and his “family members” at the swanky Carlyle Hotel. It’s tragic that someone could be this disgusting, profiting off a person’s death. The NYPD still don’t know the identity of the con man, but they are continuing their investigation.

Heath Ledger’s body was moved at 4 p.m. today from the Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan. It was reported that the remains were en route to an unknown NY airport and is heading to Los Angeles. Heath’s family arrived in Manhattan today and it’s been speculated that they planned to take his remains back to their hometown of Perth, Australia. In a somewhat related story, Mary Kate Olsen finally released a statement about Heath’s death stating that it was ‘tragic’ and that she considerd him a friend. Heath Ledger was found dead on Tuesday in an apartment that was first reported as owned by Mary Kate. The rumor was untrue. This whole Heath thing is making me sad again, but I do hope he’s in a peaceful place right now.

Funeral services have been set for actor Heath Ledger, who died Tuesday in his Manhattan apartment. This information was announced by the Frank E. Campbell funeral home, where Heath’s body was taken on Wednesday. George Amado, the general manger of the home, did say that they won’t be giving out any information regarding the services. Pagesix.com also reported today that Heath’s family will most likely want to take his body back home to Perth, Australia, his hometown. Heath’s family is said to be flying in to New York on Friday. Michelle Williams and daughter Matilda flew in to New York yesterday from Sweden. Numerous friends have visited Michelle’s brownstone home in Brookly and Heath’s apartment in Manhattan to offer their respects and support. I’ll post more details and updates as received. RIP, Heath.

Lindsay Lohan was photographed again today looking visibly upset about Heath Ledger’s death, as she chatted with a friend in West Hollywood. Lindsay was rumored to have dated Heath after his break-up with Michelle Williams. It’s also been reported that Linds was supposed to meet up with Heath this weekend when she had planned a trip to New York. Although the cause of his death is still unknown, reports of Heath’s supposed drug use and bouts with depression probably hit home with Lindsay. She just got out of rehab and is trying to get things back in order. Heath’s death was probably a very tragic reminder that not even fame can shield you from your troubles. Poor Linds – she really looks distraught in these pics. Hang in there, Linds.

Yes, you’re reading the title correctly, and no it’s not a joke. This is really sad and distressing, especially after what’s happened to Heath Ledger. Foxnews.com reported today that the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas announced its plans to picket any memorials held in the United States for Heath Ledger. Their reasoning for such a distasteful act – Ledger’s role in Brokeback Mountain. The church believes Heath is currently in hell because he played a gay role. They went as far as distributing a flyer to their members about their plans to picket. This is really disturbing and hateful. I can’t believe people could be so destructive without even knowing it. I know I’m giving the church more press by posting this, but I just had to share this with you. It really troubles me that folks who claim they are godly can be so cruel at such a sensitive time, especially for Heath’s family and friends.