Alan Tudyk Recalls Heath Ledger’s Support During Difficult Times

Alan Tudyk, the 53-year-old actor known for his roles in films such as «A Knight’s Tale» and «Firefly,» shared a poignant memory of his late co-star Heath Ledger on the latest episode of Mythical Kitchen’s «Last Meals» series. Tudyk discussed with host Josh Scherer how Ledger offered him emotional support following the death of a close friend during the filming of their 2001 movie «A Knight’s Tale.»

Tudyk was filming in the Czech Republic in 2000 and described feelings of homesickness, having been away from the United States for «five months, two weeks, two days,» as he humorously noted. During this period, a friend from his days at The Juilliard School passed away unexpectedly, a loss that both he and Ledger, coincidentally, mourned.

According to Tudyk, it was Ledger who reached out during this difficult time. «Heath called me and said, ‘What are you doing?’ I was like, ‘I’m drinking.’ He said, ‘Write down my address,'» Tudyk recalled. Ledger had moved to a quieter part of Prague and invited Tudyk to stay with him. Tudyk stayed with Ledger and his then-girlfriend, actress Heather Graham, whom both he affectionately described as his «nurses.»

Tudyk expressed deep gratitude for Ledger’s kindness, stating that the experience was «bizarre» yet he was «really sort of broken at that point.» Ledger’s presence kept Tudyk «together until I got on a plane,» as the commitments of filming prevented him from immediately returning home for the friend’s funeral.

On «A Knight’s Tale,» Tudyk and Ledger portrayed medieval European squires, with Ledger’s character, William Thatcher, taking on the mantle of a knight following the death of their master. The film was a pivotal experience for both actors, deepening their friendship.

Heather Graham and Ledger’s relationship, though short-lived, left a lasting impression on Graham, who remembered Ledger as «a special person» who brought «so much joy» into her life. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, she described Ledger as «a magical person» and expressed sadness over his early passing.

Mythical Kitchen’s «Last Meals» episode featuring Alan Tudyk aired on Tuesday, November 19, at 6 a.m. ET.