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A frenzy of fans and paparazzi crowded outside a Manhattan apartment building Tuesday afternoon when word spread of the death of Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger.
Ledger had a massage scheduled, but did respond when the masseuse arrived. The maid found his body surrounded by pills.
Ledger first came to fame playing one of Mel Gibson's sons in the movie The Patriot, but his most famous role was as a gay cowboy in the movie Brokeback Mountain, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
"I knew that I could use my personal fear in playing this role, and I could parallel them to Ennis's fears," Ledger had said about playing the part.
The 28-year-old actor had a long-time relationship with one of his co-stars in Brokeback Mountain, Michelle Williams. They have a daughter, Matilda, but the two split up late last year.
Already a major star, Ledger's career was surging upward. His latest roll was in the new Batman movie. Ledger played the joker in The Dark Knight, which scheduled for release this summer.
An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
The New York police department says it is investigating a possible accidental overdose. Police say there is no obvious signs Ledger took his own life.
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