Taiwanese director Ang Lee (
Ledger costarred with Jake Gyllenhaal in Lee's Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain.
He played Ennis Del Mar in the story about two lonely ranch hands who carried on a secret love affair.
"Working with Heath was one of the purest joys of my life. He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined -- a thirst for life, for love, and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking," Lee said in an e-mail.
Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain earned him a best actor Oscar nomination. Lee won the best director award for the film.
Sleeping pills
The 28-year-old actor was found dead on Tuesday by his housekeeper and masseuse in New York City -- lying naked and face-down at the foot of his bed, with prescription sleeping pills nearby, police said.
The cause of his death will not be known for several days after a preliminary autopsy was inconclusive, authorities said.
Six different types of prescription drugs were found in Ledger's apartment.
They included anti-anxiety medications and an antihistamine, said two law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation is still in train.
A rolled-up US$20 bill was also found on the floor near the actor's bed, but lab tests detected no traces of drug residue, officials said on Wednesday.
Police also said that no illegal drugs were found in Ledger's apartment.
Police said Ledger probably died on Tuesday between 1pm and 2:45pm.
At 1pm, the housekeeper went into his bedroom to change a light bulb, saw him sleeping and heard him snoring.
At 2:45pm, the massage therapist showed up for Ledger's appointment, knocked on his door and got no answer. She later noticed Ledger was unconscious and called for help.
`Dark Knight'
Playing the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie The Dark Knight may be Ledger's final finished performance.
He said in a November interview that his roles in Dark Knight and I'm Not There took a toll.
"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told the New York Times. "I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going."
A day after Ledger's death, at least six TV satellite trucks were parked on the block or around the corner from his Manhattan apartment, with a stream of TV reporters doing their standup coverage.
There were bouquets, letters and candles piled in front of the building.
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