Heath Ledger‘s last completed film, The Dark Knight, was released to movie theaters on July 14, 2008. The actor died unexpectedly six months ago of an accidental prescription drug overdose. The 28 year old is expected to be nominated for an Oscar for his role as The Joker.
Ledger is among esteemed company in releasing his last body of work posthumously. Other movie icons whose films hit the box office following their untimely deaths include:
James Dean died in a car crash at age 24 in 1955. His last movie Giant was released in 1956. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Clark Gable died unexpectedly of a heart attack in late 1960, just three months before his last film project hit movie theaters. The Misfits released on what would have been Gable’s 60th birthday.
Bruce Lee, martial arts legend, died at age 32 from brain swelling in 1973. A month later his most famous movie Enter the Dragon hit cinema screens. Six years later Game of Death was released.
Natalie Wood drowned at age 43 in late 1981. The legendary actress, married to actor Robert Wagner, was midway through shooting the film Brainstorm at the time of her death. A body double was used to complete the project, which hit the big screen two years later.
Brandon Lee, son of the late Bruce Lee, was shot dead on the set of The Crow in 1993. A prop gun malfunctioned, killing the 28 year old. The film was completed and released the following year.
John Candy, heavyweight funnyman, died of a heart attack at age 43 in 1994. Two films in which he starred – Wagons East! and Canadian Bacon released the following year.
Anne Nicole Smith, former model, died at age 39 of an accidental drug overdose of prescription drugs in 2007. Illegal Aliens, in which she played Lucy, was released three months later.
Heath Ledger was midway through filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the time of his death. The cast includes Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. They are reportedly helping to flesh out the remaining scenes that Ledger did not complete. The release is planned for 2009.
Check out photos of the deceased stars below:
Photos: WENN