Heath Ledger’s Costars Reportedly Donate Salaries to Matilda
The three actors – Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp – who took over the unfinished role of Heath Ledger’s character in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus have reportedly gifted their paychecks to his little girl. The film’s director Terry Gilliam is quoted as saying, "They didn’t take money — it goes to Heath’s daughter [Matilda Rose]."
That’s extraordinary! And wonderful … and when you’re part of that, you think, ‘Ah, this is maybe why I went into the movies in the beginning. I thought it would be full of wonderful people.’ And we’ve got a movie full of wonderful people who did extraordinary things to help.
Matilda, 2 ½, lives with her mother, actress Michelle Williams, in Brooklyn, NY. Heath passed away of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in January.
Source: The Sun; BANG; Photo by Ramey.
Thanks to CBB reader Sanne.
- Posted on Aug 18, 08 at 9:00AM
- Permalink
- 64 Comments
August 18th, 2008 at 9:14 am
that’s amazing
August 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I’ve often wondered why people seem to get very upset when public figures die, but when Heath died, I finally got it.
He wasn’t perfect by any means, but he was a wonderful actor who would have become one of the greats of his generation had he lived. I appreciate the work he did on BBM as some of the best I have seen.
Above all, he was a devoted father. It saddens me to know that Matilda likely won’t remember her father when she grows up, but with her mother, Heath’s family, and even other actors like the wonderful ones mentioned above, no doubt she’ll hear a few stories. What a gorgeous girl.
R.I.P Heath.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:17 am
That’s a sweet gesture. I wonder if it will be put into trust for her, or maybe will go to charity? It’s a lovely thing that they chose to do, I think the idea of it alone will be something Matilda can look at when she’s older, to realise how loved and respected her daddy was. I think it’s also nice for Michelle, not because of the financial side to it, but because I think it shows a care for mummy as well as daughter.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Just to add…it doesn’t surprise me that all three of them are fathers themselves!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Brought tears to my eyes!! That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Imagine . . . unselfish actors!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I read this over the weekend. That made me love those guys even more. Such a sweet thing to do for her!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:24 am
That is such a sweet thing for these 3 guys to do. Them being fathers, I’m sure made them not hesitate for one second to give that money to Matilda. What wonderful guys.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am
phoebe – Why would they give the money to charity? If it was given to Mathilda then it is Mathilda’s money for her future.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
This is a very good thing, God bless them and this child.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:34 am
What a gesture!! I think its great of the actors to do something like that for Heath’s baby girl.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I actually meant that Michelle may put it to one side for Matilda to donate in some way when she’s older, because it’s not as if she will need financial assistance. I’m not knocking it, but I think the most important thing in this is the gesture, not the money itself. You have to be very careful with a child or teenager suddenly getting access to large sums of money, that’s why I was wondering if there were any definate plans in place for how the money will be administered.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
What great human beings for doing this!
I admire them all as actors and now I admire them much more as humans!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Heath did act in the batman movie for a certain amount of money and since Mathilda is his next of kin, she will receive or should receive that money.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:54 am
What a beautiful gesture from those amazing actors. I’ve always thought Colin and Johnny had something special about them beyond just being actors and I’ve begun to see the same of Jude.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:59 am
What a great thing to do! Cudos to them!
I heard Matilda didn’t inherit a penny from her dad since he had some old will which didn’t include her. Does that mean that his family refuses to share his inheritance with his daughter, or did he give all of his possessions away?
August 18th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Anne, Heath Ledger did not update his will when his daughter, Mathilda, was born. She is not named in his will, and, as such, is apparently not legally entitled to his earnings, which is why Johnny, Jude, and Colin have donated their earnings to her.
This is a very very sad example of why parents need to have a will, and keep it updated.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I would just like to say that it touches my heart to see actors taking care of one another in such a generous way.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:08 am
It makes me so happy to see things like that. They weren’t asked to do it, they are just good people doing a wonderful thing. What a beautiful guesture.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I think we are all going to have the same reaction to this news, you can only say positive things about this. What I really think it great is that you never heard of them doing this until AFTER it was done. You just know it was done out of pure genuine intentions and not as a publicity stunt..”Oh look how kind I am etc…”
This giving the money and not saying anything about it as a whole just blows me away and I was momentarily speechless after reading it. Very cool that 3 actors were able to come together and have not a selfless ounce in them and donate this money to Matilda. You can’t assume she’ll never need financial assistance as you never know what the future holds. I know it’s unlikely of course, but these three have made her future a little more secure.
Kudos to Johnny, Colin and Jude and may others learn from their selfless generosity.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:45 am
If there were any actors I’d expect that from it would be these 3 great dads! How wonderful!!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I don’t know how long this news was out in America or England but in the Netherlands we heard it today so I mailed it as a tip to CBB as soon as I read it because it melted my heart all over again! Such a shame Matilda won’t get to spent time with her dad but because of Terry, Johnny, Colin, Jude and all the others who worked on this movie she can do great things with the money in Heath’s memory when she’s older.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Okay, so why did they give her the money? Is she poor or starving? This kid is going to have more money than I’ll ever have, without even having to work for a living. Why did they think it necessary to give her even more money? How about giving it to a charity for drug rehab? Considering two of the three actors listed have had trouble with drugs, it seems that would be the more ‘charitable’ option. You can all hate me for making this comment, but think about it. It’s sad that he died, but tons of parents die from drug overdoses all the time and leave young children fatherless or motherless (or both), why shouldn’t those children, who will never be as privileged as this little girl is at two years old, get some help. It’s all very sweet that they’re recognising the little girl, but it seems donating the money in her name would have made a difference.
Bring on the hate, ladies!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:05 am
wow. that’s really cool.
I think taking into account Matilda’s future like this is such an amazing kinda gesture.
…and from what I understand from all media reports, Heath had not updated his will since several years before Matilda was born. His will recipients are his family, who apparently have had legal battles over another family member’s will in the past. Heath’s father was removed as executor of his grandfather’s estate after allegations of squandering money. So things are a little sketchy. So I think people are a little concerned about Matilda seeing any financial security from that side. Michelle’s not a huge A-list star, though she might be one day. She very well could fall off the face of (celebrity) earth, too, one day. Hopefully not, but H-wood is weird that way.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
That is such an awesome gesture on their part….I have so much respect for these men now.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:19 am
That is SO great of them! When Matilda grows up she’ll see how big of an impact her father left on people. I applaud these fella’s!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
In Sweden, your kids are included automatically when they are born. They are entitled to a certain percent. The rest is up to you to decide in your will.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Waow that’s amazing!!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I got so choked up when I read this. Heath’s death really hit me hard, although I didn’t know him that well. This selfless gesture is beautiful. They didn’t say a word about it, just came together and decided this money should go to this little girl who may someday need the money (you never know). I think I fell even more in love with these 3 great actors (and fathers). Good for them!
August 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
That was a really lovely thing to do.
Someone mentioned Heath’s will… from what I understand, he hadn’t updated it since before he met Michelle and they had Matilda. The Ledger family are the recipients but his father realised a statement to say that Matilda and ‘our dear Michelle’, who he said was an integral part of their family, ‘would always remain in the greatest care.’
August 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Im so happy to hear they donated their paychecks to her.It is sad he did not update his will,I hope her mother can help get some of what her inheritance is so she can have some kind of security,if not then I hope this money is invested in wisley to further the amount so she will have something to live on while persuing her carrer whatever it may be.What wonderulf selfless people to do such a wonderful deed.I know they don’t think its selfless they just feel its what she has a right to and they have no 2nd thoughts giving it to her.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I think the gift is a great gesture but it should not be necessary. Heath was worth millions when he died and the entirety, if not majority of his estate should go to his child. It is unfortunate that Heath did not update his will to provide for Matilda but I’m sure that he did not plan on leaving his little girl so soon.
I know Heath’s dad stated that Matilda would be taken care of but if I were Michelle, I want something formal in writin just to be clear. It would be tragedy if the Ledger kept family keeps all of Heath’s money instead of giving everything to his daughter.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It WAS a nice gesture but I wonder why they think she would need it. Surely Heath’s estate and her mother’s income would provide for her till she is able to support hereslf on her own. Interesting……
August 18th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
You notice The Americans do nothing, of course, but watch and laugh.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Simply beautiful gesture
August 18th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Sheesh, the money that Heath made and is continuing to make for The Dark Knight should all go directly to Matilda. She is his legal next of kin and that’s the bottom line.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
In my opinion, even though Heath hadn’t updated his will to include Matilda regardless of Heath’s families legal issues, they should have done something to make sure the money went to Matilda. I am sure they are doign their best to make sure that happens though.
And these men are awesome, looking out for their friends child. How amazing!
August 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lynda, as others have stated her Father’s will did not include her or her mother so really there is no guarantee. Sad to think.
I would assume part of the gesture is the fact that Heath started this role and therefore laid the ground work for what the others came in and did. A little respect from one actor to another (even if one is no longer living). And, being Dad’s themselves I’m sure emotionally it hits home. Bravo to all 3 of them.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Its a very sweet gesture, but please dont forget what money overload does with the young celebs and celeb children
August 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
wow.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
i do not mean to rock the boat, i love matilda and i feel sorry that she lost her dad! however, my first thought when i heard these three actors were giving their money to matilda was why? michelle williams must pull in a big salary for her movies! this is a privileged child! im sure she doesn’t need financial assistance. i am disabled and i live on the poverty level.im not complaining because i have what i need to live. my neighborhood is very poor and i see children with ripped clothes and begging for food to eat! yes,this happens in the USA. anyways,my thought was why don’t these rich actors donate the money to a childrens charity? this young beautiful matilda has more than enough. their are so many kids in the USA that are struggling for food,clothes,and shelter! i justed wanted to make a point because where i live there’s so much poverty and when i hear people wanted to donate money to a privileged child i thought it was in bad taste. please do not get mad i feel strong about my thoughts. thank you!
August 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Gina I completely agree. My first thought as well….Matilda’s mom is well off. As sweet as a gesture she doesn’t need the money. the money should go to children worldwide who do.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
To all who say the money should go to charity: Heath left an old will that excludes Mathilda, that’s why they gave money to her, she can decide whether to keep it or give it to charity when she grows up.
Those guys were supporting her since she’s not included in Heath’s will, thats all.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I, too, am saddened that Heath is gone. But if he was such a devoted father as so many of these postings portray, why did he not take care of his daughter and put her in his will? That is something his managers and financial planners should have guided him on when she was born. Being a father is more than having your picture taken with her. I do not understand how he got so deep in depression, and nobody came to his aid, over a movie role. That is what being an actor is, doing a role, and moving on to the next. He had so many things in his life to be joyful over, should have and could have been prevented. So very sad.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I’m still astonished that newspapers and magazines reported on that will without once mentioning that pretermitted children still inherit in most jurisdictions. Matilda Ledger is probably legally entitled to her father’s entire estate. Further, she’s a minor, so she’d have rights even if he had specifically excluded her. I hope Michelle Williams has seen an attorney to protect her daughter’s rights.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I agree with Gina and Alicia. While the gesture of donating their salaries to Matilda is sweet and selfless, there is probably a slim to 0 chance that this little girl will inherit nothing from her father’s estate. For one thing, the Ledger’s have made it clear that she will be taken care of for the rest of her life. Second, Michelle Williams is not exactly a pauper (LOL) and probably still receives good size royalties from Dawson’s Creek alone. That said, the money would’ve been better off given to charities which benefit truly struggling children, like St. Jude or UNICEF.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I still believe that because Mathilda being his daughter that she is still entitled to his estate. That will was made before he met Michelle and had Mathilda and I believe that it would be in favour of his daughter but the law has to determine that. I am sure Michelle can financially take care of her daughter, but Heath was still her father and would have wanted her to inherit. He should have changed his will but he did not expect to die so young.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
made me cry reading that.
that’s so awesome.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
thank you for agreeing with my thoughts! i have nothing against matilda & her mother michelle. i actually truely adore them.matilda is a beautiful baby who lost her father but many children are in the same situation and financial are worse off! im sure the actors who donated their paycheck were trying to be generous but when a child comes from privilege and is well-off what is it saying to society? that the rich need to stay richer and the poor just stay poorer? i think it would of been more beneficial to donate the money & im sure it was in the MILLIONS! considering 3 high profile actors, to a cause that helps UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN that are struggling to live in our society.ESPECIALLY those in the USA! i know heath did not put matilda in the will but with or without his money this child is going to be more than ok !!!!! her mom is a successful actress and they live more than comfortably.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Gina, I know were your coming from… I’m disabled myself. But do you agree with me that everybody is entitled to their own opinion?
Take in consideration that the money can ‘grow’ now. When Matilda is 18 she can still decide to give it to childeren’s charities or a percentage if she wants to. So everybody will be happy. But she’s two! She entitled to have the money in her piggy bank for now if you ask me…
August 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
sanne you have a good point! i do agree with your comment. thank you !
August 18th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
i just got a little choked up.
(
what an honorable thing to do.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I’m astounded that something as utterly sweet as three men in Hollywood selflessly donating their paychecks to a little girl who lost her father, regardless of whether or not she is financially set in the future, has been picked apart and judgments made on it as far as whether or not they should have given it to Matilda and why they didn’t give it to children who needed it more.
Can people do NOTHING these days without something negative or people finding SOMETHING wrong with what’s been done? My goodness. Yes, I realize that everyone has their opinions and that is mine. These men did a loving, wonderful, selfless act and people still feel the need to question it, to ask if it was really the best decision to be made. Honestly. *shakes head*
August 18th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Heath had a contract to be paid a certain sum for his role in the movie. These men probably stepped in without asking for a salary to complete his role. So I would think of it more as volunteering rather than giving Matilda money, so that she could receive the full sum of what her father would have made if he had completed the role. I hope that Matilda ends up with her father’s estate, despite what was said or not said in his will. Saying that she would be taken care of wasn’t enough in my mind, they should have just said that whatever was in Heath’s estate would be rightfully given to Matilda as he would have wanted and intended.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I am confused, these men earned the money and did with it what they wanted to. How can anyone judge that? I do what I want to with my money, they can’t? Why is it assumed that a celebrity should just hand over their wages because their’s is larger than mine? Who knows what charities they are donating to already. If nothing else, they gave her their earnings because they would not have had the money if not for the loss of Heath. Why can’t this be an opportunity to just say “good job guys” instead of asking “but where is mine”??
August 18th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I have to say, I have a new respect for these three actors now. I applaude them!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I see Gina’s point and I respect her opinion. People have different opinions – it’s a part a life; her opinion wasn’t exactly “negative” she just saw it from a different angle. I can also see why the actors did what they did, and I can respect that too. I thought it was very selfless and sweet of the actors to do what they did and I’m sure Matilda will be extremely grateful one day.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
It really warmed my heart to read that these three amazing actors (and fathers themselves) are donating their salaries to little Matilda. If they weren’t on the top of my list already as my favorite actors and people in general, they would be now!
Bless their hearts.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:10 am
kristen, I don’t see it as a matter of these actors being criticized for doing a good deed–at least I am not. Of course they can do what they want with their own money. I suppose the point I was trying to make is that Matilda Ledger will most likely never want for a thing in her entire life, even at the slightest chance she inherits nothing from her father’s estate (HIGHLY unlikely.) The money which they (the three actors) supposedly put in her trust for her would’ve been better used towards a cause which benefits those who have literally no other options, such as Oxfam. I don’t expect you to agree with me (nor should you have to! I completely respect your opinion), but at the same time I can’t help but think that this donation, as generous as it was, would’ve benefited others to a much, much higher degree than Matilda.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Your welcome Gina!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:28 am
People don’t seem to get it – it’s not about underprivileged children in America or Australia or anywhere else (or the Red Cross, or Habitat for Humanity, or…) it’s about Matilda Ledger, a two year old who’s lost her father. They didn’t donate just to donate the money, it was done in Heath’s memory deliberately for Matilda. I find it just as weird to suggest that this is given to some random children’s charity as it would be to suggest it’s given to cancer research, or heart disease research or…you name it. This is Heath’s friends, stepping into his shoes to finish his work, and doing it for his only child. It’s selfless and it’s lovely.
August 19th, 2008 at 5:13 am
That’s truly such a sweet and wonderful gester that these 3 wonderful fathers and actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell decided to open their hearts to a fellow wonderful father and actor’s daughter. I wish the best for Matilda (I love her name btw ….. Matilda Rose) and Michelle.
R.I.P HEATH LEDGER
August 19th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I bet that these actors also give to charity and needy children, they just don’t talk about it to the public. For example Johnny Depp gave a lot of money to the hospital that took care of his daughter when she almost died.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am
“…but at the same time I can’t help but think that this donation, as generous as it was, would’ve benefited others to a much, much higher degree than Matilda.”
How do you know what this money will be used for in Matilda’s life? These actors did the right thing. This was rightfully Heath’s money and they gave it to Matilda. Who’s to say that Matilda won’t get cancer or NEED it for something some day? What if Matilda’s mother dies? What if Matilda has a child with cancer? You don’t know what her future will hold and this money was donated to HER for a reason…maybe one that we can’t see right now. I don’t know why people are so judgemental. Yes, it might benefit people more than Matilda NOW but it’s HER money. She did lose her father and will never know him. I think she deserves that money.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I did not mean to be negative at all. I think its a beautiful gesture! My opinion is that im sure Matilda will get and definitely deserves Heath’s money from the will even though he did not put her on it. I support both sides! i feel that the money she received from the three actors was a selfless act but the FIRST thought that came to my mind was wow their probably giving several millions of dollars to a child that will never need to struggle for anything! Matilda does deserve to have the money from mom & dad but my opinion and thoughts were to focus on the less fortunate children that live in my area.I live in a poverty area and these children beg for food and money.This is why i had these feelings because its so personal.