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Jake Gyllenhaal's Silence Explained
Jake Gyllenhaal by Daniele Venturelli/ WireImage.com
Jake Gyllenhaal's conspicuous absence from the news following Heath Ledger's death has left many speculating about his response to the tragedy. As Ledger's Brokeback Mountain costar and the godfather to the late actor's daughter, Gyllenhaal is considered to have been one of his closest friends.
TMZ reports, however, that Jake is on location in New Mexico for a film shoot, but is deeply saddened and will not speak to the press. The set has been closed off to non-crew members and there are reports of beefed-up security to protect the actor's privacy. The production of his new film, Brothers, has reportedly continued, despite the extra measures to keep media out. — Anna Dimond
Related:
• Heath Ledger's Family: "Our Hearts Are Breaking," Plus, New Findings
• News: Fox Newsman Apologizes After Controversy, More Updates
• Video Blog: Ellen DeGeneres Pays Tribute to Heath Ledger
• News: Olsen Twin Called Before 911; Plus, Jack Nicholson's Warning
• News: Heath Ledger Autopsy "Inconclusive"
• Watch video: News coverage of Ledger's shocking death
• Watch video: Clips from Ledger's films
• Photo gallery: Heath Ledger's life in pictures
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Jan 25, 2008 11:47 AM
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I don't know why the media thinks it appropriate to ask someone who has lost a friend or loved one how they feel about their death. Obviously they are grieving. One doesn't need to make a public comment to express that.
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Jan 25, 2008 11:56 AM
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Good for him. If the family desires to release a statement, they should, but no one should be ASKED by the media how they're feeling after their loved one has passed away.
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Jan 25, 2008 12:12 PM
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I was thinking the last couple of days about how we've heard nothing from Jake on this. He has to be heart broken, especially if they were such close friends. Also, it has to be taking so much out of him to continue to work AND grieve for his friend. The media has no business intruding on this young man's life right now.
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Jan 25, 2008 12:14 PM
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I say kudos to Jake. As with anyone who loses a friend or even someone they had worked closely with, you know that he's grieving and I (and the rest of the world, for that matter) don't "need" to hear from him.
I can understand someone making a statement, but I can understand more when they don't want to.
We know how much John Travolta has seemingly gone on and on and on...which is weird, at least to me.
But, then you have Nicole Kidman that gave a very short statement that concluded with her thoughts for his family.
It's also sad to think that Naomi Watts (Heath's former girlfriend) has had to cancel all press just to avoid the inevitable questions.
I'm not sure if the media is to blame...or the collective "we" who seems to think we need to know everything and we need to know it now.
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Jan 25, 2008 12:47 PM
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If Jake wants to be left alone, then leave him alone. Let the man grieve in private. We have no right to question why he hasn't made a public statement. It's too bad that media won't stop "asking" anyone connected to Heath about their reactions. Let all those who knew and loved Heath to grieve privately. It must be hard enough to deal with the loss of someone close to you and to add the media on top of that? I can't imagine.
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Jan 25, 2008 1:02 PM
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snoooore - so what about one of the other players in this totally overblown story? I'll be glad when the feeding frenzy moves on.
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Jan 25, 2008 1:20 PM
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The media is just out of control as others have stated let the family & friends grieve in peace. The public doesn't have the right to know everything.
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Jan 25, 2008 2:06 PM
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i took a media law class when i was in college. my professor was a former journalist who believed wholeheartedly in the press having an obligation to know and ask questions about everything to a public figure. When the class moved onto the discussion of privacy, we students often said things like "no a reporter should not stick a mic in someone's face at a time like this ... right to privacy." and he would tell us again and again that a public figure has no right to privacy.
i disagreed with him then and i disagree with that idea now. good for jake gyllenhaal - he has a right to grieve in private and has no obligation to answer questions about this tragedy.
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Jan 25, 2008 2:14 PM
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A friend of a deceased celebrity doesn't want to speak to the press? Imagine that! I don't know just what he is supposed to say, anyway. I think that most of us can figure out how he feels without him telling us.
molsongrrrl, I agree with you that a celebrity has a right to privacy over personal issues. I remember how devastated I was when I lost people whom I loved, and I can't imagine having to deal with intrusive press at the same time. Just because someone has chosen a career that involves being in the public eye, that shouldn't mean that every detail of his or her personal life is then up for grabs, too.
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Jan 25, 2008 2:32 PM
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Obviously, they were good friends. You don't make just anyone your child's godfather. Of course he is grieving and doesn't want to talk about losing his friend and probably doesn't want to think about it. When a sudden tragedy happens like this you want to pretend for as long as possible that it's not true and your loved one is just away and not dead. He doesn't need to deal with it in public or make a statement. Good for him, let him and all of Heath's family and friends deal with his death the best way they can. No explaination is needed. RIP, Mr. Ledger.
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Jan 25, 2008 3:32 PM
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JG seems like a really private guy. So can anyone be surprised that he wouldn't say anything to the press? You know he's got to be devastated by the news.
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Jan 25, 2008 3:43 PM
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Hurray for the crew on his movie set who are keeping the vultures away from him!! Let the poor man grieve in peace! I don't need to see 30 photogs and all their flashes around him all asking him "how do you feel?" DUH
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Jan 25, 2008 3:59 PM
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Jake Gyllenhaal's conspicuous absence from the news following Heath Ledger's death has left many speculating about his response to the tragedy.
Only those with 1/2 a brain would be speculating about his response. He does not need to tell the press or anyone else how he feels. I am glad for Jake that the set is closed and they added extra security. He's very lucky. I kind of have an idea of what these poor people are going through. A couple of years ago my next door neighbor strangled his wife and hid her body. The press sat out in front of the house for weeks and weeks. We couldn't leave the house to go to work, take the dog for a walk, take out the trash, do yard work or anything without having a microphone stuck in our face and being asked inane questions. We learned pretty quickly to make no eye contact when saying "no comment." I can't imagine living like that all the time.
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Jan 25, 2008 4:55 PM
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That explains exactly nothing; it's what they hire publicists and spokespeaple to do. Bad call, Jake.
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Jan 25, 2008 5:16 PM
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