Friends and Family React to Heath Ledger's Untimely Death

Fans paid tribute just outside Heath Ledger's residence at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, New York. The vigil began when a single flower was laid at Ledger's doorstep by a mourning fan.

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

"He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

"I am devastated. I loved Heath. He is probably my favorite actor. I don't like what has happened at all, so I am very sad about it." - John Travolta

"This is an unimaginable tragedy. Heath was a true artist, a deeply sensitive man, an explorer, gifted and wise beyond his years. There is no finer person on this earth." - 'I'm Not There,' director Todd Haynes

"Heath Ledger was a courageous actor, and a great soul. He gave us the gift of sharing his fearless and beautiful love â€" of his craft, and of all who worked with him â€" for which all of us will be eternally grateful," James Schamus, CEO of Focus Features and the the producer of Brokeback Mountain.

"I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family." - Mel Gibson

"The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person." - Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros. and Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Video of Heath's vigil