Day-Lewis pays tribute to Ledger on ‘Oprah’

updated 12:43 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2008

NEW YORK - Daniel Day-Lewis paid an emotional tribute to Heath Ledger during a taped appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show.

The 50-year-old actor, who was on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to discuss his Oscar nomination for “There Will Be Blood,” said he couldn’t get his mind off Ledger’s sudden death.

Day-Lewis taped his appearance by satellite from Europe on Wednesday, a day after the 28-year-old actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment.

“I feel very unsettled at the moment, and I suppose it’s ’cause I only just saw the news about Heath Ledger’s death,” said Day-Lewis, his voice quivering.

“It seems somehow strange to be talking about anything else. Not that there’s anything to say really except to express one’s regret and to say from the bottom of one’s heart to his family and to his friends that I’m sorry for their trouble,” he said.

Several prescription drugs were found in the apartment where Ledger’s body was found by his masseuse.

Slide show   Heath Ledger, 1979-2008 Take a look back at the key roles and leading ladies in the actor’s life more photos

The cause of death will not be answered for at least a week, after medical examiners complete toxicology tests. Authorities suspect a possible overdose, but nothing conclusive has been determined.

“I didn’t know him,” Day-Lewis said. “I have an impression, a strong impression, I would have liked him very much as a man if I had. I’d already marveled at some of his work, and had looked forward so much to seeing the work that he would do in the future.”

Ledger received an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in 2005’s “Brokeback Mountain.” He also appeared in “Lords of Dogtown,” “The Brothers Grimm” and “The Patriot.”

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