“I don’t exactly respect someone for being able to act. I mean, I don’t see that being able to act is a noble quality.”
Seems to me acting is like any other profession (or craft). It takes a lot of work to develop acting skills. Only a very few who set out to become actors make good at it, though, so you also have to have a lot of drive and persistence. I admit, I have a personal stake in this — a daughter who’s determined to be an actress — I see how hard she works at it. You have to respect anyone who’s good at their craft.
That said: Lots of people who are extremely good at what they do professionally are not particularly admirable in other aspects of their lives. That goes for actors, and everybody else.
You admire them for their abilities and hard work at their craft, you don’t necessarily admire them for anything else.
As for Ledger: he was still pretty young, only 28. He was a good actor, could have been one of the major stars of the future. The death is a tragedy We don’t know enough of the circumstances, I think, to say any more. My prayers go to his family and friends.
Actually, I think for a lot of people acting like someone they're not comes very naturally.
Especially in the world of 3 minute takes in movies...I don't see a whole lot of skill involved.
True, some can cry better than others but I just don't see that as noble.
I like to be entertained by actors, but I can't say I respect them. Unless I know of something they've done off-screen that's worthwhile.