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Aussie Actress Reflects on Breakout Role with Heath Ledger
27 Oct
Summary
- Rose Byrne recalls working with Heath Ledger on 1999 film Two Hands
- Ledger was a "charmer" and "generous guy" who supported Byrne's early career
- Byrne says Ledger knew what he wanted in Hollywood and avoided being just a "heartthrob"
In a recent interview, Australian actress Rose Byrne reflected on her breakout role alongside the late Heath Ledger in the 1999 film Two Hands. Byrne, who was 18 years old at the time, said she had never been to Los Angeles before working on the film with Ledger, who was also 18.
Byrne described Ledger as a "charmer" and a "generous guy" who was a "great example of an artist." She said Ledger knew even at that young age what he wanted out of his Hollywood career, turning down TV roles to avoid being typecast as just a "heartthrob." In contrast, Byrne admitted she didn't have the same confidence to say no to opportunities at the time.
Byrne also recalled that Ledger would help get her auditions for his own projects, and that she would stay with him in Los Angeles. The actress compared Ledger's drive and artistic sensibilities to those of another co-star, Ethan Hawke, whom she worked with in 2018. Tragically, Ledger passed away in 2008 at the age of 28.
