Uncles: Heath Ledger Was 'Vibrant and Fun-Loving'

By Stephen M. Silverman

01/24/2008 at 01:10 PM EST

Haydn Ledger, an uncle of the late Heath Ledger, dismisses any suggestion that his "vibrant and fun-loving" nephew might have done anything rash such as take his own life.

"It just wouldn't come into the equation at all," the elder-generation Ledger said on Thursday's CBS The Early Show, speaking from a TV studio in Perth, Australia.

About the news of the death, which he called "a tragic accident," the uncle said, "We only found out yesterday morning, along with everybody else."

Haydn Ledger appeared on the program with another uncle of the actor's, Mike Ledger. Both said Heath had a joy for living. "No family gathering or party ever got going until he was in the room," said Haydn.

Both men also passed on answering a question about Heath's recently being depressed, as has been suggested by some friends of the late leading man. "Inwardly or outwardly, we can't really comment on that," said Haydn.

Mike Ledger said that was a question for Heath's parents to answer "at a period of time to come."

For now, said the uncles, they wished to remember their nephew as "family-orientated" and as the loving father of his 2-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose. To Heath, said Mike Ledger, being a father "meant everything in the world."

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