This Girl Lost Her Star Dad at Only Two — He Didn’t Include Her in His Will, So His Co-stars Gave Up Money for Her

His daughter was upset because she could not find her father after he passed away. But there were other things she would miss out on besides his presence. She was not named in the actor’s will. Three of the actor’s costars sacrificed their wages for her out of concern for her well-being.

In the superhero movie “The Dark Knight,” this well-known celebrity portrayed The Joker, a psychotic criminal mastermind with a perverted sense of humor. The actor has portrayed numerous additional characters, such as those in “Lords of Dogtown” and “I’m Not There.”

The actor, his wife and daughter leave Sydney International Airport for their New York home on January 14, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

On January 14, 2006, in Sydney, Australia, the actor, his wife, and his daughter depart from Sydney International Airport for their New York residence. | Source: Getty Images

The actor met Michelle Williams in 2004 while “Brokeback Mountain” was being filmed, and the two fell in love. Matilda Rose, their baby girl, was ushered into the world a year later. Sadly, the couple split up in 2007, but the actor’s devotion to his kid never wavered.

The actor would put his daughter in his backpack, hop on the tube, and head to Terry Gilliam’s house to discuss a project they were working on, according to the director.

Michelle Williams and the actor during "Awake and Sing!" Opening Night - After Party at Marriott Marquis Ballroom in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Michelle Williams with the performer at the Marriott Marquis Ballroom’s Opening Night – After Party for “Awake and Sing!” in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Sadly, Matilda’s father passed away unexpectedly in 2008 at the age of two at his New York apartment. Due to her inability to comprehend her father’s abrupt absence, little Matilda would frequently ask her mother incomprehensible questions about him, which Michelle was unable to respond to. She was continuously asking:

“Where is my father?”

The Actor’s Costars Help His Daughter Out Financially

The actor was filming “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” just before he tragically his away. The movie tells the story of a traveling theater group whose leader offers his spectators the option of satisfying their own desires for enlightenment or satisfying their ignorance after placing a wager with the Devil.

Johnny Depp (L) and Jude Law attend 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on November 13, 2018 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

On November 13, 2018, in London, England, Johnny Depp (L) and Jude Law attend the UK premiere of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” at Cineworld Leicester Square. | Found via Getty Images

Terry Gilliam, the filmmaker, was unsure about whether to continue with the film or find a replacement after the star passed away. After some persuasion from his daughter, he ultimately chose the latter. He cast actors Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp to portray the remaining roles in the movie in lieu of Ledger. Gilliam stated:

“No one questioned if the role was appropriate for them or how much they would be paid. Since they were all friends of Heath’s, they all wanted the movie to be completed in his honor.

Irish actor Colin Farrell poses on the red carpet as he arrives to present the movie "Pride and Glory" on October 28, 2008, at Rome's Film Festival 2008 | Source: Getty Images

On October 28, 2008, at Rome’s Film Festival 2008, Irish actor Colin Farrell poses on the red carpet upon arriving to introduce the film “Pride and Glory.” | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise and other A-list celebrities offered to play Ledger, but Gilliam rejected them because they were unfamiliar with the actor.

The three actors were more anxious about his daughter than Gilliam was about whether it made economical sense to replace him.

The actor at the Various Locations in Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California | Source: Getty Images

The performer in Santa Barbara, California, in Various Locations | Source: Getty Images

The three performers gave Matilda their entire wage in a gesture of exceptional kindness, working for little pay and keeping none of it for themselves. The star’s two-year-old daughter was not named in his will, it would later come to light.

The Actor’s Millions Showdown

Long before his daughter was born, the celebrated actor Heath Ledger penned a will that left his estimated $118,000 wealth to his parents and three sisters. After the birth of his daughter, he never revised the will.

Actress Michelle Williams and daughter Matilda Rose, 2, return to their Boerum Hill home after learning of the death of actor Heath Ledger, Matilda's father, on January 23, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. | Source: Getty Images

After learning of the death of Matilda’s father, actor Heath Ledger, on January 23, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York, actress Michelle Williams and her two-year-old daughter Matilda Rose, return to their Boerum Hill home. | Found via Getty Images

That would normally imply that his daughter was not entitled to any inheritance from her father. However, a year following the actor’s passing, everything drastically changed.

Actress Michelle Williams (R) and daughter Matilda Ledger walk to their Boerum Hill home in the borough of Brooklyn on October 30, 2009 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

On October 30, 2009, in New York City, actress Michelle Williams (right) and her daughter Matilda Ledger stroll to their Boerum Hill residence in the borough of Brooklyn. | Source: Getty Images

Kim Ledger, the actor’s father, stated to The Sunday Times that his family would not touch any of Ledger’s fortune; rather, they would donate it all to the actor’s daughter. According to Fox News, he stated:

“No claim is made. Matilda has received everything from our family.

Actress Michelle Williams and her daughter Matilda are seen on October 30, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. | Source: Getty Images

On October 30, 2009, actress Michelle Williams was spotted in the Brooklyn borough of New York City with her daughter Matilda. | Found via Getty Images

The choice caused friction between Kim and his brothers, two of whom asserted that because Ledger’s father had mismanaged their grandfather’s wealth in the past, he was not qualified to serve as the actor’s executor.

Kim was saved, nevertheless, by Robert John Collins, an Australian who served as Ledger’s executor, who dismissed Kim’s brothers’ false charges. The brothers argued as a result of the claims, and they have since remained distant.

Matilda’s Present Life: A Mirror Image of Her Deceased Father

When her father died, Matilda was just two years old; yet, fifteen years later, she is an adult. From the very rare images of the 17-year-old that are available online, it is clear how much she resembles her father. Her grandfather Kim, among other family members, commented on the striking similarities.

“She bears a great deal of his mannerisms.” She has a lot of curiosity. Heath has never slept since he was two, and Matilda is the same way, so she has his vitality.

Kim showered his granddaughter with praise, describing her as a bundle of fire who exuded the same aura as Ledger. Not only did Matilda acquire her father’s characteristics, but she also bore traits from her mother, who dedicates her life to preserving Ledger’s memories for his daughter.

The young child’s never-ending search to learn more about her dad’s life and character is what has remained constant about him.

Michelle Ledger has done an amazing job parenting Matilda on her own since her father passed away, and as the actor’s sister Kate Ledger would later tell People:

“I believe that she creates such a lovely atmosphere for Matilda to grow up in, particularly given the kind of industry she works in.”

Kate described Michelle as grounded and mentioned how much Matilda looked like her brother, who passed away. She revealed that she is reminded of her brother by everything Matilda does.

Simple actions carried out by Matilda on her own, such picking up a pencil and getting on a skateboard, were identical to those that Ledger would have undertaken.

In addition, she says People, “I tell her about her daddy every time we see each other,” in an effort to preserve her brother’s memories in his daughter. I narrate to her tiny tales about him as a child, including how he used to follow me around with a cricket bat.

Matilda maintains a low profile despite having famous parents; the few pictures of her that are accessible feature her with her mother in various public settings.

I Saw My Neighbor Faint While Digging in Her Yard — I Gasped as I Looked into the Hole She Dug

When my 67-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Cartwright, collapsed while frantically digging in her yard, I rushed to help. I wasn’t prepared to uncover a buried wooden box that changed everything.

The sun bathed my quiet street in golden light as I folded laundry by the window. Across the way, Mrs. Cartwright, my elderly neighbor, was in her yard.

A woman folding laundry | Source: Freepik

A woman folding laundry | Source: Freepik

She was a petite woman, always wearing neat cardigans and a kind smile. Even at sixty-seven, she had a certain energy, though I knew her health was touchy.

Today, she wasn’t her usual composed self. She was digging. Hard. Her frail arms jabbed a spade into the dirt, sweat staining her blouse. It didn’t look right.

I opened my window and called, “Mrs. Cartwright! Are you okay?”

A concerned woman looking out of the window | Source: Freepik

A concerned woman looking out of the window | Source: Freepik

She didn’t look up, just kept at it like she didn’t hear me.

“Do you need help?” I tried again, louder.

Still no answer.

I watched her, uneasy. Maybe she was fine? I started to pull the window shut when she suddenly stopped, dropped the spade, and threw up her hands.

An elderly woman and a newly dug hole | Source: Midjourney

An elderly woman and a newly dug hole | Source: Midjourney

“Finally!” she cried out. Then, like a puppet with its strings cut, she crumpled to the ground.

“Mrs. Cartwright!” My voice cracked. I bolted out the door, sprinting to her yard.

Her thin body lay sprawled by the hole, one hand resting on the edge. I shook her shoulder gently.

She didn’t move.

An unconscious woman lying on the grass | Source: Midjourney

An unconscious woman lying on the grass | Source: Midjourney

My heart pounded as I checked her pulse. It was faint but there. Thank God. I leaned in closer, listening for her breath. Slow and shallow, but steady. Relief washed over me.

“Okay, hang on,” I murmured, unsure if she could hear.

While adjusting her head for better airflow, something caught my eye. In the hole she’d been digging, something wooden peeked through the dirt. A box?

A small wooden box | Source: Pexels

A small wooden box | Source: Pexels

I hesitated. Helping her was the priority. But the box glinted faintly, pulling my focus like a magnet.

“What were you looking for?” I whispered, glancing between her and the hole. My curiosity got the better of me. I reached into the dirt and tugged at the box. It came loose with surprising ease.

The wood was weathered but intact, and the lid creaked as I lifted it. Inside were bundles of letters tied with faded twine. Next to them lay yellowed photographs and a sealed envelope.

A wooden box with letters | Source: Midjourney

A wooden box with letters | Source: Midjourney

“What…?” My voice trailed off as I pulled out one of the photographs. It showed a young Mrs. Cartwright, smiling beside a man in uniform. Her husband?

I stared, stunned. The letters looked so old, yet they were preserved remarkably well. What kind of story was hidden here?

As I pieced through the contents, a faint groan startled me.

A woman looking through the contents of the box | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking through the contents of the box | Source: Midjourney

“Mrs. Cartwright?” I asked, dropping the photograph. Her eyelids fluttered.

“Mm… where…?” Her voice was raspy.

“You collapsed,” I said softly, kneeling closer. “Just stay still. I’ll call for help.”

“No!” Her hand shot up, gripping my arm with surprising strength. “The box. Is it—” She coughed, struggling to sit up.

An unconscious woman in her backyard | Source: Midjourney

An unconscious woman in her backyard | Source: Midjourney

“It’s here,” I said, pointing. “But you need to rest. Please.”

She ignored me, eyes wide as she reached for the box. “Let me see.”

Reluctantly, I passed it to her. She cradled it like something precious, her frail fingers brushing over the wood.

“Sixty years,” she whispered, tears slipping down her wrinkled cheeks.

An elderly woman holding a wooden box | Source: Midjourney

An elderly woman holding a wooden box | Source: Midjourney

“Sixty years?” I asked, confused.

“My husband,” she began, her voice trembling. “He buried this before he went to war. Said it was… a way to keep his dreams safe. He told me to find it… if he didn’t come back.”

I blinked, unable to speak.

“He didn’t come back,” she continued. “And I looked, oh, how I looked. But I couldn’t find it. I thought it was gone forever.”

A woman holding a letter | Source: Midjourney

A woman holding a letter | Source: Midjourney

Her voice cracked. I stayed quiet, letting her speak.

“But I started dreaming about him again,” she said, her gaze far away. “He told me—’Under the tree, my dove.’ That’s what he called me.” She laughed softly, though tears kept falling. “I didn’t believe it at first. Just a dream, I thought. But something… something told me to dig.”

“And you found it,” I said gently.

Two women talking with letters in their hands | Source: Midjourney

Two women talking with letters in their hands | Source: Midjourney

“Because of you,” she replied, meeting my eyes. “I couldn’t have done it alone.”

I didn’t know what to say. There was so much emotion, so much weight in her words.

“What’s in the letters?” I finally asked.

“Everything,” she whispered, her hands trembling. “Everything he wanted to say but couldn’t.”

An elderly woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

An elderly woman reading a letter | Source: Midjourney

She reached for the envelope, her fingers brushing over its seal.

“Help me open it,” she said, looking at me with eyes full of unspoken gratitude.

She pulled out a letter, carefully unfolding the fragile paper. The sunlight streaming through the trees illuminated the delicate handwriting.

“Can I read it?” I asked gently.

A woman holding a letter | Source: Pexels

A woman holding a letter | Source: Pexels

She nodded, handing it to me.

I cleared my throat and began:

“Dear Family,

If you are reading this, it means my dove has found what I left behind. First, know that I loved you all, even those I never had the chance to meet. This world moves fast, and we forget what matters most. But love—love always stays. Take care of one another. Forgive, even when it’s hard. And don’t let time or distance make you strangers.

A man writing a letter | Source: Pexels

A man writing a letter | Source: Pexels

Inside this envelope, I’ve left a locket. Ruthie knows its meaning. Pass it down as a reminder: no matter what life brings, hold on to each other. Love is what lasts.

With all my heart,

Your father and, I hope, grandfather”

A handwritten letter and flowers | Source: Pexels

A handwritten letter and flowers | Source: Pexels

I lowered the letter and looked at Mrs. Cartwright. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached for the envelope.

Her fingers found a small, intricate locket inside. She opened it, revealing a miniature photo of herself and her husband, smiling as if frozen in a perfect moment. The locket seemed to glow in the sunlight.

A heart-shaped locket | Source: Pexels

A heart-shaped locket | Source: Pexels

“He always said this would outlast us both,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “And now, here it is.”

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

She turned the locket over in her hands, her face thoughtful. “You should have this.”

My head jerked up. “What? No, Mrs. Cartwright, that’s… this is for your family.”

Two women talking in the garden | Source: Freepik

Two women talking in the garden | Source: Freepik

“You’re part of this story now,” she insisted, her voice steady despite the emotion behind it. “Robert believed in timing. He believed things came to people when they were meant to. I think he’d want you to have it.”

I hesitated, but the sincerity in her eyes was undeniable. Slowly, I reached out and took the locket, its warmth almost surprising in my palm. “I’ll take care of it,” I promised.

Holding a heart-shaped locket | Source: Pexels

Holding a heart-shaped locket | Source: Pexels

She smiled softly. “I know you will.”

In the days that followed, Mrs. Cartwright and I spent hours sorting through the letters. Each one painted a vivid picture of her husband’s love, courage, and hope during the war.

“He wrote about everything,” she told me one evening. “How he missed me, how he dreamed of coming home. But most of all, he wanted our family to stay close, no matter what.”

Two women drinking tea | Source: Freepik

Two women drinking tea | Source: Freepik

I could see the weight of those words on her face. “Have you thought about sharing these with your family?” I asked.

Her expression faltered. “We haven’t spoken much in years,” she admitted. “After Robert passed, we all drifted apart. There were arguments… regrets.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s too late,” I said gently. “This could be a way to bring them together again.”

A woman talking to her mother | Source: Pexels

A woman talking to her mother | Source: Pexels

She didn’t respond right away, but the idea seemed to take root.

Two weeks later, Mrs. Cartwright invited her family to a gathering. With her health, she needed help organizing it, and I was more than happy to pitch in.

On the day of the reunion, her living room was transformed into a warm, welcoming space. The letters were arranged on a table, along with the photographs and the locket.

An elderly woman welcoming her family | Source: Pexels

An elderly woman welcoming her family | Source: Pexels

As her children and grandchildren arrived, there were hesitant smiles and awkward greetings. But once everyone settled in, Mrs. Cartwright stood, her frail frame somehow filled with strength.

“These letters,” she began, her voice trembling but clear, “are from your grandfather. He wrote them during the war and buried them for us to find. They’re his way of reminding us what’s most important.”

An elderly woman laughing at a family gathering | Source: Pexels

An elderly woman laughing at a family gathering | Source: Pexels

Her oldest son picked up a letter and began to read. As his voice filled the room, emotions ran high. Some cried softly; others smiled through tears.

“I remember this story,” one granddaughter said, holding up a photograph. “Grandma told me about this day!”

Mrs. Cartwright beamed, watching as her family connected over the memories. The locket made its way around the room, each person marveling at the tiny photo inside.

A happy woman with her friends | Source: Freepik

A happy woman with her friends | Source: Freepik

“Grandpa wanted us to pass this down,” Mrs. Cartwright said as her youngest great-grandchild held the locket. “To remind us to stay close, no matter what.”

As the evening ended, the once-distant family members lingered, talking and laughing like old friends. Mrs. Cartwright’s eyes glistened with joy as she squeezed my hand.

“You did this,” she said softly.

An elderly woman talking to a young woman | Source: Freepik

An elderly woman talking to a young woman | Source: Freepik

“No,” I replied. “Robert did. And you.”

She smiled, but I could see how much the moment meant to her.

That night, as I walked home, I held the locket in my hand. Its weight felt different now, not heavy but significant—a symbol of love and the bond that had been rekindled.

A woman walking home at night | Source: Pexels

A woman walking home at night | Source: Pexels

What started as an ordinary day had become something extraordinary. I’d learned that even the smallest gestures like helping a neighbor or listening to a story could change lives.

And as I glanced back at Mrs. Cartwright’s house, glowing with light and laughter, I knew that her husband’s message would endure, carried forward by those who loved him.

A happy family | Source: Pexels

A happy family | Source: Pexels

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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