Heath Ledger Dead at 28

28-year-old Australian actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York City Soho apartment earlier this afternoon. Details are still forthcoming as to the cause of death though police are investigating a potential drug overdose as pills were found in the vicinity of the bed in which his body was discovered. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne tells USA Today that Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let him know the masseuse had arrived found him dead at 3:26pm.

The very sad and unexpected news has shocked everyone. Ledger leaves behind a daughter, Matilda.

The young actor made a name for himself on Australian soaps and films like "Sweat," "Home and Away" and "Two Hands". He quickly landed the lead in the short-lived US fantasy series "Roar" before hitting movie stardom with such projects as "A Knight's Tale," "The Patriot," and "10 Things I Hate About You".

After a few years of misfires like "The Order," "The Four Feathers" and "Ned Kelly", the actor had a resurrgence with his Oscar-nominated performance in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain" which drew him great acclaim.

His most recent on-screen appearance was the Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There", and his final full role will be as The Joker in one of this year's biggest films - the "Batman Begins" sequel "The Dark Knight". Ledger had finished shooting the film, though apparently some audio looping had yet to take place.

Ledger had been shooting "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" in the UK for Terry Gilliam.

RIP brother....