Actor Heath Ledger arrives at the Cinema Palace in Venice during the Venice Film Festival in this September 4, 2007 file photo. Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday, possibly of a drug overdose, New York City police said. [File Photo: Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi]

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday, possibly of a drug overdose, New York City police said.

The Australian-born Ledger, 28, who was nominated for an Oscar two years ago for "Brokeback Mountain," was found dead by a housekeeper at his apartment in the trendy SoHo neighborhood, police spokesman Paul Browne said.

"We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," Browne said.

The housekeeper found Ledger at 3:26 p.m. (2026 GMT) and tried to wake him for his appointment to have a massage, Browne said. As far as he knew, only Ledger and the housekeeper were in the apartment, Browne said.

"There were pills within the vicinity of the bed," Browne said.

Ledger was nominated as best lead actor for his role as a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote.

The handsome star was reported last year to have broken up with his longtime companion, actress Michelle Williams, who played his wife in "Brokeback" and was the real-life mother of the actor's young daughter, Matilda.

Ledger's other film credits included "A Knight's Tale," "The Patriot" and "Monster's Ball." He is currently starring in "I'm Not There," one of several actors playing a role representing Bob Dylan, and was due to appear as The Joker in the next Batman film.