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Actor Heath Ledger did not kill himself, according to his father.

Ledger was found dead in his Soho residence in New York City today.

Ledger's family, including father Kim and mother Sally and sister Kate spoke to reporters in Perth this afternoon.

"We, Heath's family can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda," his father said.

"He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper. He was down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving, unselfish, individual (and) extremely inspirational to many."

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time," Mr Ledger said.

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him."

Celebrity news website TMZ.com has reported Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died.

New York police said they could not confirm Ledger was suffering from pneumonia.

"This is the first I'm hearing that," Lieutenant John Grimpal, from the New York Police Department, told Macquarie Radio.

"The medical examiner, once he or she conducts an autopsy, will determine exactly the cause of death."

Ledger was discovered naked and unconscious near his bed by a housekeeper at at 3.35pm (9.35am NZT) when a masseuse arrived for a scheduled appointment.

TMZ reports the actor was in full cardiac arrest by the time emergency services arrived at the apartment. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have confirmed sleeping pills - both prescription medication and nonprescription were found near Ledger's bed in the apartment.

Michelle Williams, Ledger's former fiancee and mother of their two-year-old daughter Matilda, is reportedly devastated to hear of his death. She is believed to be on her way to New York.

A police spokesman initially told media that the apartment Ledger was found in was owned by the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, but later retracted his statement and said that was not the case.

Other actors who died in their 20s


Ten actors, like Heath Ledger, who died in their 20s:

James Dean, 24, died Sept., 30, 1955, after an automobile crash on the highway near Paso Robles, Calif.
Sharon Tate, 26, was murdered Aug. 9, 1969, by followers of Charles Manson in Los Angeles.
Freddie Prinze, 22, died Jan. 29, 1977, after shooting himself in Los Angeles.
Jon-Erik Hexum, 26, died Oct. 18, 1984, after accidentally shooting himself with a prop gun in Los Angeles.
Rebecca Schaeffer, 21, was murdered July 18, 1989, by stalker Robert John Bardo in Los Angeles.
Brandon Lee, 28, died March 31, 1993, after accidentally being shot on the set of "The Crow" in Wilmington, N.C.
River Phoenix, 23, died Oct. 31, 1993, from a drug overdose outside of a night club in Los Angeles.
David Strickland, 29, died March 22, 1999, after hanging himself in a hotel room in Las Vegas.
Jonathan Brandis, 27, died Nov. 12, 2003, from injuries he suffered after hanging himself in Los Angeles.
Brad Renfro, 25, died Jan. 15, 2008, the day after reportedly spending the previous evening drinking with friends.