Ledger’s hometown names theater after him

NEWS. The Australian hometown of the late actor Heath Ledger named a theater in his honor yesterday for his commitment to acting.

The $87 million, 575-seat Heath Ledger Theater in Perth is a fitting tribute because Ledger was so supportive of other young actors, Western Australia state Premier Alan Carpenter said at a naming ceremony.

“Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that’s what made him successful,” Carpenter said.

Kim Ledger, the actor’s father, called the tribute a pleasant surprise.

“He was such a giver to the arts right across the board. I really feel that there’s not a lot of things he’d put his name to, but he’d put his name to that,” said Kim Ledger, who attended the ceremony.

Kim Ledger said family members would travel to New York later this month to attend a screening of “The Dark Knight.” Heath Ledger plays the Joker in the movie, his final full film role. The actor’s performance has already been lauded by critics.

The renewed attention on his son because of the film has made the family’s grieving process difficult, Ledger said.

“It’s just been a little more public and the films make it a little more public as well,” he said. “It’s been a little bit hard, but we’ve always been extremely proud of his work and that hasn’t changed.”