Did Jason Segel “reach out” to Heath Ledger’s family to heal the estrangement?

These are some new photos of Michelle Williams, Jason Segel and Matilda Ledger entering Magic Castle in LA. Michelle and Matilda seem to be making themselves comfortable in LA, right? It must be because Jason is an LA guy. Does Michelle keep a house in LA at this point, or do you think she and Matilda stay at Jason’s house? For those of us keeping count, Jason and Michelle have been together about six months now. There are widespread reports that they are already engaged, although it doesn’t seem like Michelle is wearing an engagement ring or anything, so maybe not yet. I honestly think that by the end of the year, Michelle will either be engaged or pregnant. Or both. It just seems like she and Jason are the real deal.

But what of Matilda? Nearly every tabloid report about the couple claims that Jason and Matilda have already bonded, and that he’s already assumed a step-fatherly role in her life, and Matilda already adores him. Radar claims that Jason has also “reached out” to Heath Ledger’s family, letting them know that his intentions towards Heath’s daughter are completely honorable:

Now that he is playing the role of doting stepdad to girlfriend Michelle Williams’ daughter by the late Heath Ledger, Jason Segel has poignantly reached out to the Ledger family to let them know they are always welcome to see the little girl, RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star has made the brave move of reaching out to Heath’s father, Kim Ledger, to let him know that he is there for his granddaughter, six-year-old Matilda Rose, as well as Michelle, a source exclusively tells Radar.

The My Life With Marilyn actress and the Ledger family went head-to-head after the Dark Knight Rises star’s tragic death in 2008, arguing over inheritance and who should get his various awards. Fortunately they have recently buried the hatchet and Jason is hoping they can all be one big, happy family.

“Jason got on the phone and introduced himself to Kim, and then invited the Ledgers to use his home whenever they wanted to fly in from Australia to visit Michelle and Maddie,” said the source close to the Ledger family.

“Kim was blown away by Jason’s generosity and the two hit it off right away. Now Kim’s given his blessing for Jason to marry Michelle and be a stepdad to Matilda.”

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, How I Met Your Mother funny man Segel already looked perfect for the role of daddy to Maddie when the pair were recently spotted out for breakfast together in New York City.

Michelle and Heath amicably ended their three-year relationship in September 2007, and the following January he died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Jason and Michelle have been dating since the beginning of the year.

[From Radar]

On the surface, I guess this is a nice story about Jason stepping up to the plate for Michelle and Matilda. But I guess I’m overanalyzing it, because the subtext bothered me – like, what century are we in? Michelle can’t speak for herself? She has to have a boyfriend speak on her behalf to the grandparents of her child? And what business does Kim Ledger have in “giving his blessing” for Jason to marry Michelle? I hope this story is BS, particularly that part.

Oh, and I don’t really remember a huge to-do about Heath’s estate – I remember that Heath hadn’t updated his will when Matilda was born, and that his old will left everything to his parents. I also remember that Michelle’s father – the fugitive financier, who lives abroad – was outspoken about the Ledger family and how they weren’t making enough provisions for Matilda. But has Michelle ever said anything? Was there really this huge conflict and estrangement over Heath’s estate?

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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38 Responses to “Did Jason Segel “reach out” to Heath Ledger’s family to heal the estrangement?”

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  1. beyonce's bump says:

    Don’t care about this story but I love michelle’s hair and outfit in the last pic. This must have been the hairstyle miley was trying to pull and did not quite succeed.

    • QQ says:

      Correcto, this is because Miley’s Face/nose/lips/bone structure/ears are not “There” for that cut either

  2. brin says:

    This story is probably BS, at least I hope it is. Radar/Star is often wrong.

  3. lil says:

    Michelle has stupidly perfect, flawless skin.

    That is all.

  4. Mrs. Ari Gold says:

    They fascinate me. I love that Jason is such a good guy and a real ‘adult’. He seems like a rarity for Hollywood. I bet he will be a great step-dad to Matilda but I can’t imagine that being married (and yes I think they will be soon too) to an actress is easy. I hope to god Heath’s parents are giving Matilda all the money she needs.

    • Aussie girl says:

      He is always going to be marshmallow to me! I love him & I also love Michelle & how she keeps private matters private. It lacks class to involve the media & muchelle has displayed top class to me. Heaths fam always seemed down to earth so I really can’t Imagen too much drama. But with what I’m going through at the moment with mine. $ can change people, Oy!

  5. Ri says:

    Michelle is NOT estranged from Heath’s family, the whole story is fake lol. Heath’s father has always spoken highly of her.

  6. MrsKutcher says:

    i bet jason segel has a lot of money much more then heath ledger had so dont worry about that….and yes i do also believe she will be knocked up or married or both by the end of the year

  7. Liv says:

    They are such a cute couple, it’s nice to see them happy!

  8. Esmom says:

    They seem very genuine. I also like how real/normal he seems, i.e. neither slick and perfect nor hipster try hard. And of course who knows but he seems more grounded and less tortured than Heath. Hope they go the distance.

  9. Mia 4S says:

    This story is likely crap. The non-updated will was a great excuse for the tabloids to create drama since Michelle wasn’t talking at the time. Also, Michelle is not exactly cash-poor! There are many children whose financial welfare should be worried about, but Matilda? Give me a break.

  10. Mrs. Ari Gold says:

    I have to add that even though I really like his maturity for Michelle & Matilda I can’t help but feel his ambition every time I see him with her.

    I’m sure his feelings are genuine for her but he also seems intent on marrying someone of A-list stature. Even though he is incredibly successful on his own he is not in the tiny elite club that she is in. By being with her he has just been catapaulted into a completely different stratosphere and it seems like you can see it on his face.

    He’s one of those nerdy, dorky guys whose ambition is surprising – he also looks like he could be a smug a–hole possibly.

    • Evie says:

      and pap every day!

    • Esmom says:

      Hmm, I hadn’t caught on to any ambition on his part in trying to land an A-lister. But funny isn’t that what happened to Michelle when she hooked up with Heath? She went from Dawson’s Creek star to A-list indie darling pretty fast.

      • Bodhi says:

        That was because she is a very good actress. The others on the show, excepting Pacey & maybe Busy, are all mediocre at best.

        Its kind of no wonder Katie Holmes jumped at the chance to be with Tom; I do think she loved him (at least at 1st) but I’m sure she thought that he could get her roles that her (lack of) talent couldn’t get her.

  11. L says:

    The only story I remember being out there about the estate was Heath’s parents vs. some of Heath’s other relatives who wanted more money for Heath’s alleged “love child” and “more money for Matilda”.

    But between Kim and Michelle? There’s never been a peep of anything-they’ve been nothing but supportive of her and have always said that they were there for Matilda.

    This story sounds fake.

  12. Rhea says:

    Interesting couple. Never imagine before he would be the type of guy she would get interested with.

  13. Talie says:

    I don;’t think Michelle made a big deal about the financial aspects…but she also doesn’t seem close with the family, publicly anyway. Privately, who knows.

  14. Birdie says:

    Heath couldn’t finish this one fantasy movie and Jude Law and Colin Farrell (?) stepped in to finish it and they gave their salary to Matilda.

  15. Adrien says:

    He’s more of a man than a muppet.

  16. jess says:

    Hate her shoes. And I remember some talk about heath’s family taking all of the money and not wanting to give any to Matilda.

  17. TheOriginalKitten says:

    I love them but WTF is Michelle doing with those hideous shoes? 🙁

  18. Miss Piggy says:

    Shortly after Heath Ledger’s death, his dad and family said that all money they received would be put into a trust for Matilda, that the money was all hers and they did not believe Heath would have wanted them to have it.There was no conflict.

    It’s nice that he called. The grandparents love that girl. She is all they have left of their beloved son. They don’t know Mr.Segal. I’m sure it’s reassuring that they could talk to him and set their minds at ease IF they had any concerns about how he would treat their granddaughter. It would be great if more step-parents/partners did that. A grandparent’s role doesn’t stop when their child dies.

  19. Ella says:

    None of this sounds right to me. If I was Matilda’s biological grandafather, I’d be pretty annoyed if Michelle’s new boyfriend called to grant me permission to see my granddaughter, and I also don’t know how the grandfather has any right to give Jason Segel permission to marry Michelle Williams. Matilda is her daughter, and she can marry anyone she likes. I hope none of this is actually true.

    • Migdalia says:

      If this “story” is true Jason Segal was only giving permission for them to use his home when they wanted to see Matilda not permission for them to see her.

  20. RobN says:

    I think this is a fake story designed to make one of the new “It” couples look all warm and fuzzy, when in reality, it just seems weird.

  21. Liz says:

    He looks so handsome, she looks gorgeous, and Matilda seems happy.

  22. TG says:

    They are sweet together but I don’t believe this is true. I mean Michelle would be the one to do the reaching out. It is her kid not Jason’s. I love those booties she is wearing in the last picture. Somehow she gets it right and poor Katie just can’t seem to get any fashion right.

  23. Anon says:

    Heath’s father also moved assets from his estate to Mathilda. I do not believe a word of this gossip.

  24. Mimi says:

    Yeah, most of this story sounds like bs. But i have to say that I still think it’s so sad that Heath isn’t here to see His little girl grow up. Take note people. Drugs kill.

  25. G says:

    I think this is just a “Mi casa es su casa” with some re-interpretation from people who just have to stir the pot…

  26. Becks11980 says:

    Every time I read a story about Heath it makes me really despondent.

    Firstly, because my heart breaks that Matilda will grow up with few, if any, clear memories of her father.

    Secondly, because I firmly believe that he was evolving into someone who had the potential to become if not the greatest then one of the greatest actors of our generation.

    🙁

    MW & JS look like they’re happy, best of luck to them.

  27. marybeth18 says:

    I don’t think there’s any estrangement between Heath’s family and Michelle. When he died, Michelle went to Australia for the memorial service, and there were photos of Heath’s sister and her husband in NYC with Michelle and Matilda.

    When Heath died, his estate was worth approx. $12 million, and his will (done before Michelle and Matilda) left everything to his parents and his sister. His parents publicly stated that they put it all in a trust for Matilda, and there’s never been a word from Michelle that they didn’t honor that. Michelle has more than enough of her own money to provide for Matilda (don’t forget, in addition to the movies, she has a LOT of money from Dawson’s Creek), and Depp, Farrell and Law all donated their fees, totaling several million dollars, to Matilda for stepping in to finish Heath’s last film. So even if she never sees a penny from her father’s estate, she’ll reach adulthood with several million from those actors, in addition to any money from her mother.

  28. Kate (newer one) says:

    If the offer was made to stay in his house in LA, when Michelle usually lives in NY, than that is a sweet offer because it’s a long flight from Sydney to the American West Coast, but a crazy one to NYC. It almost halves the journey time, without them needing to pay for a hotel in a very expensive city.