Heath Ledger to be stay-at-home dad

by Charlene Prince Birkeland (Subscribe to Charlene Prince Birkeland's posts) Feb 21st 2006 10:04AM

Categories: Babies, Just For Dads, Money & Work, Fun & Activities, Celeb Kids

Actor Heath Ledger plans to become a stay-at-home-dad when he's done drinkin' the bubbly after this year's Academy Awards. Ledger and girlfriend, Michelle Williams, have a four-month-old daughter, Mathilda. Both are nominated and favored for Oscars for their work in Brokeback Mountain. But even if Ledger wins, he said he's done working for the next year so he can spend time with his little girl and let his lady bring in the cash: "I'll be Mr. Mom...It's something that's very important to me -- something that every dad, if he can, should do his best to achieve." Awww. I wonder if he'll start a daddyblog...

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

Brokeback fan 2-22-2006 @ 11:25AM

I think Heath is the hottest dad on earth, would you not agree?

Wendy 2-26-2006 @ 6:44AM

Lia - you are so correct. Be a great daddy and marry mommy! Make me legitimite.

Bill Carrino 2-26-2006 @ 6:52AM

How absolutely ridiculous it is to state that Heath Ledger's child will at some point see Brokeback Mountain and ask if her father is gay. Did anyone ask if Charlize Theron was ACTUALLY a lesbian hooker in real life, since she played one in "MONSTER". I guess Nicole Kidman is REALLY Virginia Wolfe...I mean...that's who she played in "THE HOURS". And, of course, we all know that Ray Romano is, in reality, a prehistoric cartoon animal, since he did the voice work for "ICE AGE". It's called ACTING! And, if you cannot differentiate between a theatrical role, and someone's real life...you may wish to seek some professional help.

David 2-26-2006 @ 7:01AM

By the time his daughter sees and is able to understand his movie, I suspect it will not even be an issue. First, she will love her father for being a loving father; second, she will not have been exposed to idiots who TEACH her to fear. You see, when she sees the movie, you'll still be stuck in your rapidly shrinking world, and she's not going to give a damn.

H. J. 2-26-2006 @ 7:12AM

I would think that his child or children to come would be as intelligent as the rest of us SHOULD BE. He is an actor doing his job and trying for an oscar. Even, if any person is or not gay; who has the right to cast the first stone. Are you perfect?

R. Thompson 2-26-2006 @ 7:20AM

Does anyone think that Mark Hamill's kids saw 'Star Wars' and assumed he grew up on the planet Tattooine with a couple of droids for company?
Or that Harrison Ford's kids saw 'Indiana Jones' and believed that Dad really discovered the Holy Grail?
Will Jake Gyllenhaal's future children (if any) see 'Jarhead' and believe that Daddy was a Marine?
Will Heath Ledger's child worry that Daddy is gay?

THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THE ABOVE IS "NO."

Sabrina 2-26-2006 @ 7:20AM

Since when does marriage "legitimize" a child anymore? A marriage doesn't make a child happy, a loving family environment does.

Staying home with Matilda is a great thing for Heath to do. Very progressive, and a lot of fun, I'm sure.

Mike in CT 2-26-2006 @ 7:26AM

Why do any of you care about this? For the love of God, focus more on the people around you and in your community than chatting about some elite celebrities.

Anna 2-26-2006 @ 7:53AM

My husband's mother made the mistake of telling him from birth on that she and his father divorced before he was born because it was more important to her to keep up with tired old appearances about "legitimacy" than tell the truth about their relationship. When he found out the truth as a teenager, it was more devastating disovering that Mom had been lying for all those years than learning his parents had never been married.

Good parents come in all shapes and sizes; you don't need a marriage certificate to legitimize your parenting skills. Like any good relationship, honesty, dedication, and generosity of heart keep children feeling happy and safe. Even if Heath and Michelle don't stay together, which I hope won't be the case, all Matilda has to do (when she's older) is pull up news clippings and pictures from 2005-2006 to see how much her parents loved her and each other. In practically every article, she'll see her Mommy looking lovingly at her Daddy instead of posing for the photogs and read interviews where her Daddy goes on and on about his genuine love for "his girls" instead of talking about his professional success and jumping on couches. If it weren't for Brokeback's success, Heath and Michelle would probably still be living a fairly quiet life -- how much did we read about them prior to Brokeback's release? Let's see if Tom Cruise takes a page from Heath's book when Katie gives birth in the spring and then we can renew the debate about "legitimacy."

Lupe 2-26-2006 @ 8:21AM

Nowadays everyone thinks everyone is gay. It doesn't matter if a person is married and has kids. Alot of men sometimes get married simply to hide in the closet.
I think the stars of BrokeBack Mountain performed pretty good. Yes, there will be rumors about these two stars all over the place. But if the rumors are false, it shouldn't be a problem.

mo 2-26-2006 @ 8:25AM

In response to the comments about Heath Ledger's child's thoughts, do you think Sir Anthony Hopkins' children think that he ate people and then had a little Chianti?
It was a movie and Heath was acting....

Mary Ann 2-26-2006 @ 8:27AM

Thank you so much Bill Carrino. I agree with you wholeheartedly! Someone had to point out the obvious. THEY ARE ACTING! PRETENDING! Like when we were children. Yes, they probably got advice not to do this film, but I am so glad they did.

I have been a Heath Ledger fan for a long time, and now I'm watching films from earlier in his career. My favorite so far is "The Four Feathers", which is also my favorite version of that story. Jake Gyllenhaal is also an interesting actor. I just saw "The Day After Tomorrow" and was stunned that I had already seen it, but didn't realize that was Jake. Oh my gosh, he must have been ACTING again.

As for marrying his daughter's mother, I think that lately people have shown their scorn, distaste or just plain non-belief in the "sanctity" of marriage. Brittany and her Las Vegas wedding that was annulled overnight, Michael Jackson, who marries, divorces, marries again and has 2 children, probably in vitro, and another child from who knows where.

Anna 2-26-2006 @ 8:28AM

Kip ~

Do you speak of the moral fabric that makes this great country a joke to nearly every other country in the world? Please do not forget that the pendulum BARELY made it over to conservatism in the last election and technically didn't even make it in 2000.

I'd like to know where you got your information that the gay population and their supporters only make up 2% of the total population, as I highly doubt the Christian Coalition is funding accurate and unbiased research. I'd also like to know why it's NOT okay to be gay. Is it also not okay to be black or Jewish or have immigrant status?

Try reading letters by Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson and then tell us again that "liberalism does not work." Until then, why don't you go back to teaching your "youngins" about the "great" American principles like keeping an unlocked firearm within their reach, lying, bigotry, wife-beating, and sweeping indiscretions like DUI arrests, drug use, failing academics, and going AWOL under the carpet. If your children are at all smart, they'll figure out that your hatred is nothing more than a way to disguise your fear of something you don't understand.

Renee 2-26-2006 @ 8:29AM

Some people are just plain ignorant. First off if a father wants to take the time and stay home thats GREAT, there are so many deadbeat dads out there not
only financially but emotionally. Way to go Heath!! And as far as the Gay issue I believe there are alot more than 2% of the population that is Gay. But that aside, it is a shame to judge people for what they do in their own bedrooms. I believe I am an OPEN minded christian. I know who my Lord and Savior is but dont use him or God to hide behind to discriminate against people. Wake up folks the world is a melting pot! I just wish my little "Christian" town in the Bible belt had the guts to play Brokeback mountain I for one look forward to seeing it. Oh, they will play murder movies, I guess its no longer a sin to kill people. Its called entertainment for a reason, IT"S ACTING. With things as they are in the world we need alittle escape,if you don't like the movies you can always read a book

pam 2-26-2006 @ 8:29AM

re:the comments about how Heath should marry Michelle

Do any of us know that she wants marriage and he is refusing to offer it..or are we just assuming the stereotypical little woman must desire it?They have their love right now and their income gives them the ability to live life the way they want it.For everybody that doesnt require marriage.And for the record,Williams played a lesbian in a brilliant HBO series with Chloe Sevigny These are a pair of talented,compassionate people who have contributed greatly to the general understanding of what it must be like to be gay...neither film "romanticised" it:both films showed how gay love is essentially no different to heterosexual love but that the stigma attached to it makes lives so much more difficult eg causing people to choose between their loved one and their parents etc

vickie 2-26-2006 @ 8:36AM

It is amazing.. Heath having an affair with his female co-star while filming a 'gay' movie. I hope it works out; it will be one of the few relationships to make it work.

K 2-26-2006 @ 8:37AM

Vee,
Wake up, it's 2006. I agree with old fashioned morales and teaching our children to respect one another, but, since when is it OK for a woman to completely depend on a man to provide for her?
A good relationship involves two people who love each other and work together to acheive goals. I think it's great that Ledger wants to help out and be there for his child. Most people would love to have that opportunity. More and more men are making that committment this day in age and it's perfectly ok.

As far as sitting around at home expecting your man to provide for you and your family, seems a bit selfish this day in age. I pray that nothing happens to your 'income' while you're sitting around in your skirt doing nothing. I would hope you at least feed his ego by telling him how spectacular his is for taking care of you like he does his children!

What do you do with your spare time?

Wendy 2-26-2006 @ 8:47AM

To MManozzi. By the time his daughter sees this movie, she'll be old enough to differentiate. And, what does it matter? Apparently, you aren't able to differentiate. The man is an actor - and one who's not afraid of being stereotyped. That's a strong statement for a straight man to make - that he can take on a roll considered to be controversial. He knows who he is and so will his daughter. If I were you, I'd be more concerned about my own children and if I'm going to be everything they expect me to be.

Sharlene 2-26-2006 @ 8:47AM

Let me add to Kip's note............Amen! You said it, I get so tired of the "media" making everyone think that this is the MAJORITY!!! It sooo isn't! No one in Hollywood represents the way I feel! Look at their messed up lives. What does Paris Hilton have? Money, and blonde hair. That is all. Well, a worn out, and probably tired body that she is supposed to offer the Man of her dreams? Whatever. Maybe Reese Witherspoon is an example of a LADY, but there aren't many more. They are fallible humans who have a hard time holding on to whatever they have. Look at Heather and Richie, after 11 years, its over. How sad that Hollywood can't make it. I never want to be there. Nor do I want it representing me.

Will 2-26-2006 @ 8:51AM

Hopefully by the time Matilda is old enough to know what Brokeback Mountain is all about, she will have lived in a world where she can be profoundly thankful and proud for the role her parents played in opening the eyes and hearts (thank you Ann Hathaway) of America and the world. She will live in a world that vaguely remembers the song "We Shall Overcome" and where we have learned to somehow recognize the value of every human being. Hopefully ...

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