Tribute for Heath Ledger keeps flowing out following his tragic death last Tuesday (Jan. 22). The 28-year-old was remembered at the G'Day USA: Australia Week 2008 black tie gala held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria.
The ball was supposed to be a glamor event to celebrate the end of the festival which showcases the very best of Australian culture, fashion, food, wine, tourism and business, but got altered by organizers in response to the grief over the actor's passing.
About 1,000 guests were present, including actors Julian McMahon, Jack Thompson, and Rachael Taylor also supermodel Miranda Kerr. The tribute began with Australia's consul-general in New York John Olsen reading a letter written by Ledger's father, Kim Ledger, to the gathering.
"Heath is, and always will be, an Australian," the letter wrote. "He adored his home. His last two weeks with us over Christmas in Perth were just bliss. Heath did not become an actor for the fame or fortune. He loved his craft and he loved helping his friends. He loved chess and skateboarding too. My image of Heath in New York is him with his skateboard, a canvas bag and his beanie. That was Heath to me."
In the meantime, a private memorial service for Ledger took place at Los Angeles' Westwood Village Memorial Park on the same day. Among the mourners were his former fiancee Michelle Williams and actress Naomi Watts, who dated the "Brokeback Mountain" star for two years after meeting him on the set of "Ned Kelly" in 2002. The funeral is expected to be held in Perth, Australia this week, but no details have been released so far.
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