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Speaking to Pop Eater, the Sanctum star recalled looking up to Ledger as both originally got their start on the soap Home and Away.
"I have a lot of mutual friends with Heath. I always admired his career, even before I got into acting," he explained.
"He paved the way for young Australian actors, I think. For me, anyway, 'cause he was part of my whole moviegoing generation. I saw every movie of his and could watch him grow on screen as an actor and as a person."
Wakefield added: "I think he's a brilliant actor - is and was. It's a tragedy."
