Bodog Beat

Heath Ledger won acclaim for his role in Brokeback Mountain in 2005. (Courtesy Focus Features)

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in one of his residences this afternoon, according to the New York Times. The actor best known for his role as Ennis Del Mar in Ang Lee's acclaimed 2005 film Brokeback Mountain, was 28 years old.

Police reports say that a masseuse had arrived for an appointment with Ledger at his apartment in SoHo, New York City, at 3:31 p.m. EST. The masseuse was let in by Ledger's housekeeper, however Ledger did not answer his bedroom door. When the masseuse and the housekeeper entered Ledger's bedroom, they found him unconscious. The police reports that they do not believe it was a crime, but a prescription of pills were found at his bedside.

The actor will star as the Joker in The Dark Knight, the latest installment in the Batman series, later this year. He has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, with actress Michelle Williams.