Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight

Ledger’s Joker may be fondly remembered now but when the actor was first announced the fan outcry was deafening and it didn’t die down all that much after the first images of his Joker look were released either. Ledger’s Joker was a disheveled, grimy mess. Sure he wore the purple suit that the character is known for but it was not the pristine suit of Nicholson or Romero…Ledger’s Joker was suit was filthy like something that had been found while dumpster diving. Ledger’s Joker also didn’t have white skin. Instead he messily applied white paint to just his face and dyed his hair a toxic green. But it was the smile that really made Ledger’s Joker look complete. Instead of a rigor mortis grin or broadly applied lipstick, Ledger’s Joker carved a smile into his face and then put lipstick over the scar. It was an unnerving look that only helped to enhance the nihilistic malevolence of the character.