Heath Ledger was just 28 years old when he was found dead in his apartment in January 2008, leaving behind his two-year-old daughter, Matilda.

Heath Ledger made an impact from the moment he first stepped in front of the camera - and his legacy continues to live on long after his death. The Australian actor landed 23 roles during his 19-year career,

J. Vespa/WireImage It has been 17 years since Heath Ledger's sudden death and his legacy is still being remembered. The Australian-born actor died at age 28 on January 22, 2008, following an accidental drug overdose.

Before he won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of Joker in The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger was just a wide-eyed young actor trying to make it big in Hollywood. Born in Perth, Australia, in April 1979,

Christopher Nolan did not think of Heath Ledger first while looking out for an actor to play 'Joker' in The Dark Knight. Ledger ultimately played the evil character in the 2008 Batman