Hello, I'm Rebecca Field with
today's UPI entertainment
update on this Wednesday,
January 23, 2008.

Hollywood is mourning the loss
of a loved and admired star.
Australian born actor Heath
Ledger was found dead at his
New York apartment yesterday.
He was only 28 years old.
There's no confirmation on the
cause of death bu
more

Hello, I'm Rebecca Field with
today's UPI entertainment
update on this Wednesday,
January 23, 2008.

Hollywood is mourning the loss
of a loved and admired star.
Australian born actor Heath
Ledger was found dead at his
New York apartment yesterday.
He was only 28 years old.
There's no confirmation on the
cause of death but police say
the Oscar nominated actor
apparently died of an
accidental drug overdose.
Ledger was found with
prescription drugs near his
body.

The actor first emerged into
the entertainment scene at age
16. He appeared in the
Australian show 'Sweat.' In
1998 he played a heartthrob
alongside Julia Stiles in '10
Things I hate About You.' He's
also known for his roles in
'The Patriot' and 'A Knight's
Tale.' Two years ago he was
for an Academy Award for
'Brokeback Mountain.' On the
set of that film, he and
actress Michelle Williams
began dating and soon after
had a daughter Matilda. The
pair split last September but
friends say he stayed in close
contact with his daughter.

In other news, Amy Winehouse's
rep is denying rumors that the
singer is in rehab. Her
spokesperson says Winehouse
only visited a doctor whom she
sees regularly and did not
check in anywhere overnight.
There's no indication of the
type of treatment she
received. Recently, a British
newspaper posted tape showing
the singer allegedly smoking
crack. That video prompted
rumors that she was now
seeking help. Friends of
Winehouse tell People magazine
everyone knows she should get
treatment.

Some stars are promising not
to cross writer's picket lines
at the Oscars. Nominee Viggo
Mortenson says he won't attend
the ceremony if the WGA is
striking out front. But the
'Eastern Promises' star is
confident they'll strike a
deal with TV and film
Producers soon. Others like
Director Tony Gilroy,
nominated for 'Michael
Clayton,' agrees...he says he
would never cross a picket
line. The strike shut down the
Golden Globe Award ceremony
after most stars refused to
attend.

Soccer star David Beckham is
working to help children
around the world. The athlete
reportedly visited Sierra
Leone last weekend with the
children's charity UNICEF.
Beckham made the trip to bring
attention to the impoverished
country, where child deaths
are reportedly the highest in
the world. In a statement, the
soccer player says helping the
kids there is as simple as a
mosquito net to help them
avoid malaria or a measles
vaccination.

That's all for now. Go to
upi.com for the latest news
and updates all day long.
Thanks for watching.

Category Entertainment

Tags Heath, Ledger, amy, winehouse, writer's, strike, viggo, mortenson, david, beckham, female, celebrity