Heath Ledger’s Dad Has ‘Little Empathy’ For Alleged Drug User Ryan Corr
Ryan Corr’s current legal predicament has not earned him any sympathy from Heath Ledger’s father. The 25-year-old “Packed to the Rafters” star has recently been charged with possession of a prohibited drug.
Ryan was allegedly caught smoking heroin in a Bondi Laneway on May 27, and was due to appear at the Waverly Local Court on Tuesday. However, he was unable to do so because he was overseas.
He is due to appear in the next court session on September 2.
Kim Ledger, who awarded Ryan the Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2011, said he is saddened by the actor’s case, but has “little empathy” for people who choose to do drugs.
“It does make me sad to hear that because we have enough problems with alcohol and drugs,” Kim told Fairfax Media, adding that he has little contact with Ryan since he gave the actor the award.
“I have some empathy for what happens around that situation with families but very little empathy for people that put it in their own mouth,” Kim said.
Kim, who sits on the board of the Cyrenian House drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, said they try to help people with drug issues, but they don’t get involved in the “pro-active side” of it.
The Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship is an annual award for emerging actors, which was established in memory of Heath, who died in 2008 from accidental overdose of prescription medications.
Ryan was given the accolade in 2011, and had also received $10,000 in cash, which was funded by benefactors like Michelle Williams, Heath’s former girlfriend and the mother of his daughter Matilda, as well as Naomi Watts and Australian actors Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.
He was also nominated for two Logie Awards for his role as Coby Jennings in “Packed to the Rafters,” and recently received a Best Performance award at the Madrid International Fantastic Film Festival for his role in “Wolf Creek 2.”
The young actor is currently part of the British drama series “Banished.”