Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

They say tragedies come in threes. I’m wondering who the third one will be. It does seem to be the season of unexpected, youthful losses.

Earlier today, actor Heath Leger was found dead in a SoHo apartment. According to early news reports, prescription and over-the-counter-sleeping pills were found in the room. No foul play is suspected. Known for his academy-award-nominated lead role as Ennis Del Mar in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, Ledger had also played the romantic lead in CASANOVA and A KNIGHT’S TALE. Born 4 April 1979 in Perth, Australia, the 28-year-old Ledger was an actor that I hoped to be watching for decades to come. He was just hitting his stride.

Less than a week ago, actor Brad Renfro was found dead in his Los Angeles home. Born 25 July 1982, the 25-year-old actor’s body was discovered by his girlfriend. A youthful troublemaker, Redfro was discovered in Knoxville, Tennessee by the makers of the Susan Sarandon film THE CLIENT. He was catapulted into the film industry at the age of 12. Renfro was known as much for his skirmishes with the law as for his acting career. At the end, some reports indicated drug paraphernalia was in the room and no foul play was suspected.

Sadly, when the money and power of film fame connect with youth, foul play all too frequently seems to rule the day.