Daniel Day Lewis Breaks Down Over Ledger's Death

Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day Lewis paid an emotional tribute to Heath Ledger following his shock death on Tuesday.

Appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss his new movie, There Will Be Blood - the actor quickly dismissed all questions surrounding his Oscar nod to address Ledger’s untimely death.

Fighting back the tears, the 50-year-old discussed his struggle to come to terms with the Brokeback Mountain's star death from a suspected drug overdose.

"I hope you don't mind if I speak about this Oprah" interrupted Lewis. "I feel very unsettled at the moment. I only just heard the news about Heath Ledger.

"It seems strange to be talking about anything else. There isn't anything to say other than to express one's regret to his family and his friends."

"I didn't know him. I have a strong impression I would have liked him very much as a person if I had.

"I had already marvelled at some of his work. And looked forward to the work he would do in the future."

Ledger's family will arrive in New York from Australia on Friday, a funeral director has confirmed.

A service will take place at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home in N.Y., prior to a burial that will reportedly take place in Ledger's native Perth, Australia.