Heath Ledger: The Heath is On

Q: Speaking of old Hollywood traditions, you're now dating a famous actress, Heather Graham. Has the press attention been overwhelming?

A: You've got to be daft if you think it's not going to come. Your eyes are open. You see it. You read it. One thing I learned is that whatever they write or say doesn't affect your actual life with your friends and your family. They never judge you upon anything that's written or said. It only affects the people outside of your circle who read and believe it. The more [the press] bullshits and comes up with crazy stuff, the funnier it gets.

Q: What did you read that made you laugh loudest?

A: The article that said that while I was flying back from Prague or London to L.A., I forced myself into the cockpit during the flight and used their phone so I could call my girlfriend and tell her I loved her. [Laughing]

Q: What's your attraction to Heather?

A: She's so cool. She's a beautiful, beautiful girl. The greatest thing about us is that it's not changing my life. Life is just running smoothly. It's very comfortable with her. We make each other laugh--she's so fucking funny. That's the key. It's fun. It's a good relationship and a very truthful one. I'd love to work with her. I think she's fantastic.

Q: Have you bought her any "friendship" jewelry?

A: I don't believe in showing affection materialistically. I go to great lengths emotionally to show my love. I don't buy Christmas presents ever. If I see something that's good for someone, I'll buy it. But I don't celebrate love or friendship by giving stuff to people. That's why I don't believe in marriage. I don't believe you should have to prove your love by giving someone a gold ring with a diamond on it.

Q: People used to say that Ginger Rogers gave Fred Astaire sex appeal and he gave her class. How do you and Heather add to each other?

A: What we give each other is totally personal. As for how we're observed in the public eye, let people figure that out for themselves. It's their game, not mine.

Q: Have you two been hitting the town a lot?

A: It's funny. Last night, we went out to some club and we're standing in the front of the line. You know how there's the whole "list" thing and there are always people waiting while the bouncer is standing there being Mr. Cool. Anyway, we're standing there a long time and they wouldn't let us in. The promoter sees me and goes, "Get that guy in here! Make sure he gets in." I just dropped my head as they dragged us through. I don't think they were quite sure who I was. It was just, like, "Get that guy...I've seen him somewhere."

Q: Would you rather be out together or staying in?

A: I'm a home bug. When I get home from a shoot, the number one thing I want to do is sit in the house, do my laundry, do dishes, cook--do all that shit that you just usually don't do. When I get home, I don't want to go out; I want to scour the bathtub. [Laughing]

Q: You've been living in L.A. for four years. Have you made many friends here?

A: The thing about Hollywood is that everyone's afraid to be mean. [Laughing] If they really don't like you, they won't tell you. It's all like, "Hey, so happy to see you," but I'm always wary of anyone who's that happy to see me. Everyone here is really good friends with everyone because they're afraid to get on someone's bad side, someone who might stir something up in the future. Hollywood is a town where you have a thousand associates but you can count your friends on the fingers of one hand.

Q: Don't some of your mates from Australia live in the house you recently purchased in Silver Lake?

A: They've lived there for about four-and-a-half months. I've only lived in it for three weeks. They're camping out. Most of them are here because they want to be in this weird world of the movie business.

Q: What kind of house is it?

A: It's a Spanish villa that was built in 1925. It's called "Casa Feliz," or "happy house," and it is. I'm sure it has a history but I haven't had time to get into it. Buying it was my dad's idea. It felt so strange because for five years, I've just been living out of bags, being like gypsy/mystic/journey/travel man all around the world. [Laughing] All of a sudden to feel like, "This is a home. This is where you're stuck." It kind of felt binding. I've gotten over that, though.

Q: Have you taken up painting again?

A: That's slowed down. I've been doing a lot of photographic art. I took so many pictures in Prague. I have a bunch of paintings and photos I've done that I really like, all for different reasons. Some that make me happy, some that make me sad. I'm basically documenting my life in terms of what I see. I don't narrow myself to doing "landscapes" or "faces." If it's a landscape or a person, I'll paint it or photograph it because it interests me. Faces are the most interesting, though.

Q: What's the best gift anyone ever gave you?

A: My parents gave me complete acceptance of who I am and let me leave Perth at the age of 16 so I could go to Sydney and pursue my life. That gave me freedom and acceptance through trust. That's a true gift. What greater gift can anyone give you?

Q: Are you reading any books that help you keep your new life-style in perspective?

A: Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. It's fantastic. It opens everyone's peripheral vision, their perspective on life. You discover how unimportant everything is, emotionally, physically. It smoothes over anything. It's not fact, of course, it's someone's opinion, but a beautiful one.

Q: How satisfied with things are you right now?

A: Well, I'm doing movies I like. When I go to London next week I'll meet with Peter Weir about a project. Now there's someone who's brilliant. It's another costume and battle movie, but I can't wait to sit down and talk to him. So, I'm very excited about things right now. I'm after happiness, longevity, slowing down time. I have no great expectations or future goals. I'm attached to the present. I don't know what I'm doing right after I leave you. I'm that disorganized. Oh, can I borrow that dollar for the valet? Thanks, man.

_______________________________________

Stephen Rebello interviewed Jennifer Love Hewitt for the February issue of Movieline.

Pages: 1 2 3