Oscar glory, Oscar tragedy

Two years ago, Heath Ledger was basking in the glow of his first Oscar nomination.
He initially caught our attention with pretty-boy roles in 1999's "10 Things I Hate About You" and 2000's "The Patriot." At first blush, he seemed like just another heartthrob. We'd soon learn a bigger talent burned beneath that handsome visage.
It took some time for the actor to realize his own abilities.
"In a way I was spoon-fed a career," he told the Glasgow Herald in 2005. "It was fully manufactured by a studio that believed it could put me on their posters and turn me into a product. ... I hadn't figured out properly how to act, and all of a sudden I was being thrown into these lead roles."
"Brokeback Mountain" proved he was a fast learner.
This morning, the Academy announced its new slate of Oscar nominees. This afternoon, Ledger was found dead in his New York City apartment.
His final role of consequence will come this summer when he squares off against Batman in "The Dark Knight." His performance as the Joker has been drawing raves for weeks, merely based on the stills and trailers.
His passing marks the loss of an actor still growing into his craft, and someone who made every trip to the cineplex special.