On location: The Joker's voice, born in Chicago
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/1052964,SHO-Sunday-zwecker13.articleJuly 13, 2008 Recommend (11)
BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist
Without question, Heath Ledger didn't go out of his way to seek publicity while in Chicago last summer filming ''The Dark Knight,'' but the actor was not exactly a hermit, either.
Especially when he first hit town in late May, 2007, the Australian actor spent quite a few evenings checking out a wide range of restaurants and nightspots in what turned out to be a kind of listening tour related to his character, the Joker.
''Always before, Heath's visits to Chicago were extremely brief -- mainly flying in for a day or two, to do press for one of his films,'' said Jim Hardy, a New York filmmaker and friend of Ledger and former girlfriend Michelle Williams who met the couple when they lived near him in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
''When Heath learned he would be spending a good bit of time in Chicago filming the 'Batman' movie, he asked me and anyone else who knew about the city where to go to eat and fun things to do when he wasn't working.''
Though he often would fly back to New York to see his infant daughter Matilda on his days off, Ledger did manage to hang his hat in a number of Windy City watering holes.
''Hang his hat'' is probably not the best phrase to use describing Ledger, as the actor -- when out in public -- would rarely doff one of the two chapeaux he often donned: a dark-colored (usually brown or gray) wool knit cap pulled down to his eyes or a jaunty, retro-looking fedora, often worn with oversized sunglasses.
Bareheaded or not, Ledger managed to check out more than a few popular eateries and clubs in the Gold Coast, River North and Streeterville neighborhoods while ensconced in Chicago last summer, creating the role many think will win him a posthumous Oscar next February.
A quiet kind of guyShortly after hitting town, Ledger was sighted on several occasions at Sound-Bar and Cabaret, also making a point to check out Billy Dec's Underground nightclub, which was just hitting its stride. Though sometimes accompanied by members of ''The Dark Knight'' crew, he rarely was seen partying with fellow cast members.
Co-star Christian Bale told the Sun-Times recently, ''He was a wonderful man and great company to be with. I wouldn't say we became great chums or anything like that .... Heath struck me as a very private man and I respected him greatly. I'm always a bit suspicious -- especially on a film set -- when someone tries to become your instant pal. Heath was the kind of person who took friendship seriously, but let it evolve and grow slowly .... That's the best way.''
And there isn't much evidence for rumors about Ledger's activities on location. ''Despite all the rumors about him being a big stoner and doing drugs, I never saw that,'' said a "Dark Knight" production staffer who requested his name not be used. "We'd get out for a beer or two, but often Heath would not even drink something that strong. I saw him on a couple of occasions only drink club soda all night long.
''He was a great listener, and unlike a lot of actors with big egos, he would listen to what you had to say and seemed really interested in our lives.''
Aaron Eckhart, who plays Harry Dent/Two-Face in ''The Dark Knight,'' also admitted that he and Ledger didn't socialize in Chicago. ''But then, I was kind of a loner myself [while in town], and really enjoyed just reading in that little park across from McCormick & Schmick's [Connors Park] or swimming in the lake or going for a run.
''Plus given the nature of our roles, I think Heath and I both knew instinctively that we needed to keep ourselves apart during filming .... Besides, I think he's the kind of guy who related more to the crew, rather than other actors. Heath was so down-to-earth and natural. I think he related best to other people who really work for a living."
Accent actionAccording to director Christopher Nolan and others who worked on ''The Dark Knight,'' a key reason Ledger even went out in public in Chicago was to help create the voice he wanted for ''the Joker.'' The actor told associates he felt the character required a ''flat, Midwestern or Chicago accent ... somewhat nasal and even a bit effeminate.''
It was all part of the back story he and Nolan informally constructed for the Joker, reflecting the psychological damage done to the twisted criminal when he was a child being badly abused by his horribly cruel alcoholic father.
Even Chicago resident Jenny Berger, an administrative assistant for a large investment firm and self-avowed ''huge movie fan,'' learned about the ''accent thing'' straight from Ledger himself.
Berger spied Ledger drinking coffee in the Oak Tree restaurant in the 900 N. Michigan Ave. shopping mall last June. ''We were sitting at tables next to each other -- way in the back. I quietly introduced myself and told him how much I loved 'Brokeback Mountain.'
''He was totally gracious and very cool .... As we got to talking, he said, 'You're not from Chicago, are you?' I admitted I was originally from Boston. That led to a discussion of accents, and he told me he was carefully listening to Chicagoans -- because that was the accent he wanted for the Joker.''
Covering territoryAmong places Ledger was seen -- perhaps part of his ear-tuning for that accent -- was Bloomingdale's, though he also scooped up quite a few outfits there for his little girl. Ledger also shopped at Neiman Marcus, the Gap and Macy's. Among the restaurants the actor frequented during his three-month stay in Chicago were SushiSamba Rio (seen wearing a Western shirt reminiscent of his ''Brokeback Mountain'' role), Rockit Bar, the Weber Grill (he loved the burgers there) and Brazzaz.
Ledger also made at least one foray into the Greektown neighborhood on South Halsted and a crew member claimed he took the actor down to Chinatown as well.
Before the ill-fated star left Chicago -- for the final time, as it sadly turned out -- in early September, he finished his ''tour'' of Chicago restaurants at Carnivale, spending his last night in Chicago playing poker until the wee hours.
Word has it, Ledger left with a smile on his face. The Joker ended up winning big.
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