Ledger's sudden death hit Gyllenhaal 'harder than most'

Washington, Jan 31 : Heath Ledger's sudden death has hit those close to the late actor, but it has been especially tough on his good friend, and Brokeback Mountain costar, Jake Gyllenhaal.

According to friends, Gyllenhaal, who is godfather to Ledger's two-year-old daughter Matilda, has been extremely distressed by last week's news.

"Jake is taking this harder than most people," People quoted a friend, as saying.

And Jake's anguish and pain is clearly noticeable to those on the New Mexico set of his latest movie, Brothers.

"This has had a strong personal effect on [Jake]," said a set source.

The insider revealed that Gyllenhaal left the set immediately after learning about Ledger's death on Jan. 22, but flew back on a commercial flight to shoot an additional scene two days later.

"He was there, but he wasn't with us. It was obviously a major trauma. These guys were very close. [Jake] was sitting in the director's chair staring off into space," the source said.

ANI