On the day when today’s most gifted actors were being recognized with Academy Award nominations, Hollywood ironically lost one of its finest actors of the past decade. Academy Award-nominated actor Heath Ledger has died at the young age of 28.

This shocking news comes one week after the death of 25-year-old actor Brad Renfro. Although Ledger never had any trouble with drugs in the public eye like Renfro, pills were found by his body, meaning he could have potentially died from a drug overdose.

At the time of this writing, it is being reported that the autopsy report came back inconclusive, and it could take up to 10 days to determine the cause of Ledger’s death.

Still, what caused his death is inconsequential. He leaves behind a career that will be forever respected and honored for his raw acting talent and the unique roles that he accepted.

Heath Ledger was easily one of the best actors of his generation. He transformed from an inexperienced actor trying to hide his Australian accent in his earlier films to a highly credible and phenomenal actor in just a few years.

Along with fellow Oscar nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling, Ledger was part of an immaculate group of young actors who not only had brilliant acting skills, but also bright and infinite futures.

The first time he appeared on the silver screen in America was in the 1999 teen classic “10 Things I Hate About You.” Over the years, the film has become a favorite of sorts amongst seemingly everyone on the planet.

Everyone has seen this movie, and everyone still watches it when it’s on cable (you know you do). With only one film, Heath became an overnight sensation. In one year, he went from a teen heartthrob courting Julia Stiles to a serious and reputable actor playing the son of Mel Gibson’s character in “The Patriot.”

In the years that followed, he gained success and notoriety for his roles in “Monster’s Ball,” “A Knight’s Tale,” “The Brothers Grimm.” It all built up to his Academy Award-nominated portrayal as Ennis Del Mar, a cowboy trying to hide his homosexuality in “Brokeback Mountain.”

But perhaps his finest moment was his role as a heroin addict in the 2006 film “Candy.” It is a shame Ledger was not recognized for his moving portrayal, as it is easily one of the most underrated acting performances in the last few years.

Ledger was last seen on the big screen playing a version of Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There.”

November reports suggested he was becoming stressed. But Ledger’s career was riding a wave of success, a wave that seemed like it hadn’t even peaked yet.

This summer, Ledger will be seen in arguably the biggest role of his career, playing The Joker in the new Batman film, “The Dark Knight.” Anyone who has seen the trailer to the film has been surprised to see Ledger’s unique portrayal of the well-known comic book villain.

Instead of loud, gaudy costume and makeup, Ledger’s Joker is a crazed and disheveled mess with tattered hair and smeared makeup. The Australian actor is hardly recognizable.

Allegedly, Ledger’s methodical way of acting and his literal transformation into the sociopathic character had been affecting Ledger’s health and forced him to take the sleeping pill Ambien.

With the Associated Press already having an obituary written for Britney Spears and ready to run if she meets her demise soon, it makes me wonder if a death in Hollywood is treated too much like a farce.

May the death of a young and well-respected entity like Heath Ledger finally send enough shock waves through Hollywood and the media to focus on the significance of a celebrity’s life, rather than their downfalls.

This death will radiate in importance for years to come. No matter why this happened or what could have been prevented, it’s undeniably clear that Heath Ledger leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten.