Prank Pushed Ledger To Tears

Thursday June 8, 2006


THE father of Hollywood star Heath Ledger has revealed how his devastated son "cried all night" after being attacked with water pistols by papparazzi pests at the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain. The actor was attending the Australian premiere of the Oscar-winning film earlier this year when he was targeted by the paparazzi, reportedly in response to the actor's uncooperative behaviour of the set of the film Candy.

Kim Ledger told how his "heart broke" when his only son called to say he wanted to sell his Sydney home and live in the U.S.

"Heath had to go into the cinema and introduce that film soaking wet - and I can tell you this - he cried all night after that incident," Mr Ledger, an automotive engineer, said following the NSW Dutton Car Rally in Sydney at the weekend.

"He rang me afterwards and said: 'Dad, that's it -- sell the house.' "

Mr Ledger received the phone call hours after the January film premiere, where the three photographers attacked the star and his partner, actor Michelle Williams.

Kim claims that he tried to change his son's mind, telling him to think about it for 48 hours.

But it made no difference: '"Two days later he rang me back and said, 'Dad, it's been 47 hours and 57 minutes - sell the house.'"

The property sold for $7 million in March.

Mr Ledger said his son would return to Australia.

"He loves it here, it's his home, and he's not going to run away from it."



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Sources:
Sarah Grant of the The Adelaide Advertiser
News.com.au
Ananova Ltd.
Gardian Unlimited UK