“This is such a sad event. I admired Heath enormously, he was such a sensitive and committed and daring actor. This is truly a tragedy. I send my condolences to his family and friends and colleagues.”- Geoffrey Rush

“I deeply respect Heath’s work and always admired his continuing development as an artist.  My thoughts are with his family and close friends.”- Cate Blanchett

“Heath was an exceptional human being with a massive heart: always generous, adventurous and impressive. I always believed, as a young man, he was wise well beyond his years. And as far as his work goes, I know I’m not alone in thinking he was just getting started to realise an incredible potential. My heart goes out to those who knew him best: To his family, To Michelle and Matilda, and to his friends, especially his Perth gang who I know will be heartbroken right now. Those friends and his family were everything. It really is a sad day. An incredible shock.”- Joel Edgerton

“I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.’- Mel Gibson

“What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to Heath’s family.”- Nicole Kidman

“It’s really, really sad. I hope his family is okay. I wish them the best.”- Charlize Theron

“Losing him at any age would be a loss but it was pretty rough news. I was really shocked by it. He’s touched me deeply as a talent and it’s a great loss.”- John Travolta

“Like many in the acting community I am tremendously saddened and shocked by Heath’s death. Whatever the circumstances, Heath was someone who had everything to live for. He was a very nice man, and a phenomenal screen actor. This is unbelievable.”- Sam Neill

“Mate, I had such admiration for you. Your dignity, humility, grace and talent will always be an inspiration to me. You shook the world and made us take notice. My heart goes out to you, your friends and your family, especially little Matilda Rose. May your spirit live on to affect all those who hear about you and see your great work.”- Guy Pearce

“It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation’s finest actors in the prime of his life. Heath Ledger’s diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor.” – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

“He was very funny and I remember having a great time with him. I know everyone on the crew enjoyed working with him and the producers wanted him to stay with the show for much longer. My heart goes out to his family and to his little girl. It is such a sad day for so many people in our industry.- Kate Ritchie

“Heath Ledger was a courageous actor and a great soul. He gave us the gift of sharing his fearless and beautiful love of his craft, and of all who worked with him for which all of us will be eternally grateful.”- James Schamus

“He handled his career incredibly well – he made a decision about four years ago to stop being led by producers and managers and to forge his own way. He started working with the most interesting directors. He was so successful at breaking out of the teen idol image. We saw with his relationship with the paparazzi that he was vulnerable and felt intensely invaded and got so unbelievably distressed. The photographers would try to push him into a reaction and he was a young man so he would react.”- Neil Armfield

To find out more about Australian actor Heath Ledger’s untimely passing, you can click here.  Updates are at the bottom of the post.