NEW YORK, NY January 23, 2008 —REPORTER: The Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger has died.

The Police Department says Ledger's body was discovered by a housekeeper and masseuse at a SoHo apartment yesterday afternoon.

The 28-year-old Australian actor earned an Oscar nomination for his work in "Brokeback Mountain." He and his ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams moved to Brooklyn and had a daughter after meeting on the set of that film.

The pair frequently stopped for coffee at Smooch, a popular cafe in Fort Greene.

The shop's owner Basquali says the couple was low-key.

BASQUALI: When we were busy in the cafe, and he and Michelle would share tables with other patrons. He was just a very down-to-earth guy.

REPORTER: A crowd of paparazzi and onlookers gathered outside the building where Ledger was discovered.

Several police officers guarded the door.