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Looking back at the life of Oscar-winning actor Heath Ledger

By Heather Cichowski

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By Heather Cichowski

Heath Ledger was an incredibly talented actor who the world lost too soon.

The Australian star passed away on Jan. 22, 2008 at the age of 28. His death was later deemed "acute intoxication" from an "accidental prescription drug overdose."

The Dark Knight star left behind daughter, Matilda Ledger, as well as a number of iconic roles from the 1990s to the time of his passing, including 10 Things I Hate About You, Ned Kelly and Brokeback Mountain.

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see the accolades and awards Heath achieved.

Photos: © Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

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Roar photocall, 1997

The Australian got his start on shows in his home country. Here, he poses with his co-stars for the short-lived FOX series Roar in Queensland. The TV show only lasted one season.

Photo: © Fox/Getty Images

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For Richer or Poorer premiere, 1997

The rising star appeared on one of his first-ever red carpets when he stepped out to the For Richer or Poorer world premiere in December 1997.

Photo: © Barry King/WireImage

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ShoWest Awards win, 2001

After making a name for himself in 1999's 10 Things I Hate About You, the actor continued to go from strength to strength.

At the 2001 ShoWest Awards in Las Vegas, he picked up the Male Star of Tomorrow prize.

Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Ned Kelly nominations, 2003

Heath was cast as the title character of the 2003 biographical film Ned Kelly, alongside Orlando Bloom and one-time partner Naomi Watts (pictured here with Heath at the film's Sydney premiere).

The role would earn Heath a number of nominations, including his second Australian Film Institute Awards and Film Critics Circle award nomination.

Photo: © Peter Carrette Archive/Getty Images

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Baby news, 2005

After getting together on the set of their film, Brokeback Mountain, Heath and girlfriend Michelle Williams welcomed daughter Matilda on Oct. 28, 2005.

The couple are pictured at the premiere of his film, The Brothers Grimm, on Aug. 8, 2005.

Heath and Michelle separated but continued to co-parent Mathilda until his death.

Photo: © Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

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Directors Guild of America Awards nominations, 2006

Heath and Brokeback Mountain co-star Jake Gyllenhaal showed their support for the film's director, Ang Lee, when he received a nomination at the 58th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on Jan. 28, 2006 in Los Angeles.

Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Academy Awards nomination, 2006

Heath received his first Oscar nomination at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006. He was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Brokeback Mountain.

Heath was nominated alongside Joaquin Phoenix for Walk The Line, Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote, Terrence Howard for Hustle & Flow and David Strathairn for Good Night, and Good Luck.

Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Santa Barbara International Film Festival win, 2006

The actor took home the Breakthrough Performance of the Year Award for his work in Brokeback Mountain at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2006.

Photo: © Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

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Candy nominations, 2006

Candy was another one of the actor's critically acclaimed films. Heath received a Best Actor in a Leading Role nomination at the Australian Film Institute Awards and from the Film Critics Circle of Australia.

He is pictured promoting the Australian movie at the 56th Berlinale International Film Festival on Feb. 15, 2006.

Photo: © Florian Seefried/WireImage

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Oscars, 2006

Heath and Michelle made a very memorable appearance at the 78th Annual Academy Awards on March 5, 2006.

They were both nominated for their work in Brokeback Mountain with Michelle up for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Photo: © Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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Posthumous Oscar nomination, 2009

Heath passed away on Jan. 22, 2008. Exactly a year after his passing, he received a posthumous Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in The Dark Knight.

The other nominees in the category were Josh Brolin for Milk, Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder, Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt, and Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road.

Photo: © Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

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Posthumous SAG win, 2009

Gary Oldman accepted the Male Actor in a Supporting Role award on behalf of Heath during the 2009 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Heath won the award posthumously for his work as the Joker in The Dark Knight, his final completed film.

Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Posthumous Oscar Win, 2009

Heath's family, including mom Sally Ledger, dad Kim Ledger and sister Kate Ledger, picked up his Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Award for his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight at the 81st Academy Awards.

The family gave a moving speech at the ceremony. "Firstly, we would like to thank the Academy for recognizing our son's amazing work," his dad stated.

"This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here, his peers within an industry he so loved."

Photo: © Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is released, 2009

Heath was half-finished filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the time of his death.

The movie was eventually released with a number of other actors stepping in to help finish Heath's part in the fantasy drama, including Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell.

Some of the cast and crew including, (L-R) cinematographer Nicola Pecorini, producer Amy Gilliam, producer Samuel Hadida, actress/model Lily Cole, director Terry Gilliam and actor Andrew Garfield, are seen here leaving the film's premiere at Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2009.

Photo: © Francois Durand/Getty Images