And his legacy would be his two-year-old daughter Matilda, the 28-year-old actor’s family said in a newspaper death notice.

“How do we describe our sudden and tragic loss,” the family said of the acclaimed Perth-born actor’s death in a SoHo apartment.

“As a close knit and very private family we have observed you so determined yet quietly traveling in your self-styled path in life, nothing would get in your way… no mountain too tall, no river too wide.

“You dreamed your dreams and lived them with passion and intelligent commitment.

“We have been privileged to accompany you on a ride through life that has simply been amazing and through it all we have loved each other beyond imagination.”

Ledger’s family said his true legacy would be his daughter with actor Michelle Williams, from whom he split last year.

“Our hearts are broken…”

Ledger’s father Kim wrote a seperate notice.

“Heatho, Beef… my beautiful boy, so loving, so talented, so independent… so no more chess games mate… this is it, couldn’t beat you anyway. We were one, in soul and commitment, just… father and son.”

The actor’s sister Kate said she could “hardly breathe” as she tried to write her tribute.

“We were the ultimate soul mates,” she said. “You were so many things to so many people, but to me you were just my little brother. You will never leave my thoughts, ‘Roast’, ever.”