Australian-born Hollywood actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment this morning, Australian time.

The 28-year-old actor was born and grew up in Perth and began acting at the age of 15.

The teenage actor scored a role in the children’s drama Ship To Shore, and in 1996 appeared as an aspiring Olympic cyclist in the Perth-based teenage drama Sweat (pictured).

Ledger later appeared in the Seven Network soap Home And Away and in the US series Roar which was filmed in Australia. The 20-year-old Ledger gained the attention of Hollywood with a role in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You which launched his international movie career.

The cause of death is not known though it is suspected may have been linked to some prescription medication found nearby.

IMDB: Heath Ledger