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Family, Friends Say Goodbye To Ledger In His Hometown

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

Heath Ledger's family, his former fiancee Michelle Williams and Australia's entertainment elite bade him farewell at a private memorial service Saturday in his hometown of Perth, Australia.

Ledger's family returned to Perth last week to bury the actor, who died in his Manhattan apartment at age 28 from a prescription drug overdose on Jan. 22.

Several hundred people gathered at a local girls' school for a memorial that mixed personal tributes, modern rock and traditional Aboriginal music.

The 75-minute service kicked off with the sounds of a didgeridoo, a traditional Aboriginal wind instrument, performer Levi Islam said. Rock songs were also played - Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin," the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd and Neil Young's "Old Man," according to a program.

Organizers also showed footage from Ledger's films and of 2-year-old Matilda, his daughter with Williams.

The event drew members of the Australian entertainment industry, where Ledger got his start. Barbara Scott, a state lawmaker who attended the service, said many attendees were emotional.

Fellow Australian star Cate Blanchett, who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan biopic, "I'm Not There," recalled their time spent together in New York and Los Angeles, Scott said.

Other speakers included his parents, sister and Neil Armfield, who directed Ledger in his last Australian film, "Candy," released in 2006.

Ledger's father, Kim, said the service would be followed by a private funeral in Perth. He appealed for privacy and did not disclose the time or location.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Robert Wagner is 78. Actress Laura Dern is 41.

Source: The Associated Press

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