Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his downtown Manhattan residence this afternoon in what authorities say is a possible drug-related death. He was 28.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told The Associated Press that Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the NYC apartment that is believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Ledger know the masseuse was there, and found him dead at 3:26 p.m, Browne said.

TMZ is reporting that Ledger was found in cardiac arrest when EMTs arrived. They performed CPR before pronouncing him dead. The apartment does not belong to Mary Kate Olsen as reports have stated.

The Australian-born actor was nominated for an Oscar for “Brokeback Mountain.” He has a daughter Matilda, with his ex-fiancee actress Michelle Williams of Dawson's Creek fame. He was to appear as the Joker this year in “The Dark Night,” a sequel to 2005’s “Batman Begins.”