Actor Wes Bentley: Heath Ledger Was "a Vibrant Man"

(Bentley turned down the part of the suicidal prison guard in 2001's Monster's Ball; it was a role that later made Ledger a star.)

"Heath was an essential piece of my Life," Bentley said. "At one point we were as close as two people could get without being blood.

"That closeness came from sharing a similar, life-altering experience in life at a young age where very few could relate and those who could often were pre-occupied with competition.

"Heath offered brotherhood and support instead. It would have been isolating, not to mention boring, without him. I don't know if I could have come back without him.

"I ask that we take this opportunity to resist our routine chore of dwelling on a celebrity's moments at death, taking what is essentially inconsequential to a man's definition and making it his legacy when, in fact, his legacy is living.

"Heath Ledger lived every day of his life. While most of us forget we're alive and are dead on our feet, Heath woke up everyday excited about what was out there to enjoy.

"He lived in a way that spread so much spark to so many people every day he had. Heath not only lived for himself; if he could've, he would lived for all of us as well. That was his way.

"Heath was a vibrant man, a brave actor, a passionate father and a friend forever.

"My prayers are with all who loved him, his family, Michelle and Matilda."

Check out the new issue of Us Weekly for the full story on Ledger and his tragic passing.

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