Very sad. He had that James Dean quality about him...now more ways than hoped.
well, i do not know about the whole James Dean thing...
I think his death is a very sad thing, but James Dean became a cultural icon in death, and was sort of the symbol of "rebellion" for an entire generation etc. etc.
Although Dean had a very small body of work as well, i cannot see Ledger being iconic the way James Dean was.
aside from his very good role in Brokeback, his career was exceptionally ordinary considering the massive amount of hype he received early on around the year 2000.
it is indeed a very sad day, and i feel badly for his daughter...
but from a cultural standpoint, i do not think Ledger will ever have that kind of long lasting effect...
he will probably be considered a bit more like River Phoenix...a young man with alot of potential, but who was consumed by addictions...who will be remembered for a couple of decent roles, but not a culturally very significant icon, the way someone like Dean, or later, Hendrix, Morrison, Cobain etc. were.
people rarely think of River Phoenix these days, and the same will be similar with Ledger in 10 years or so.
talented, but lost young people, who left too early.