06-05-2025
'I don't know how many times I have to correct the record': Magda Szubanski debunks 19-year-old Heath Ledger myth as viral video resurfaces
Magda Szubanski has stepped in to correct the record after an iconic red carpet clip featuring herself and the late Heath Ledger was mistakenly shared as a real-life fan encounter.
The video, from the 2006 Australian Film Institute Awards (now the AACTAs), resurfaced online this week and quickly went viral after being reposted by popular pop culture accounts Internet Hall of Fame and The Cinesthetic.
In the clip, Ledger, nominated that year for Candy, is mid-interview when Szubanski appears in character as Sharon Strzelecki from Kath & Kim.
Spotting the Hollywood star, Sharon goes into full fangirl mode, screaming and fainting after Ledger responds by planting a kiss on her mouth.
While fans of Kath & Kim recognised the bit instantly, others were less familiar- with some social media users mistakenly thinking the woman in the clip was a random fan being ambushed by the actor.
"Never forget the time Heath Ledger sexually assaulted a fan," one person wrote, while another added, "Woah that's assault brotha!"
Szubanski, 64, quickly took to social media to set the record straight.
"I don't know how many times I have to correct the record and tell people it's not some rando fan!!" she wrote on X.
"It's me, @MagdaSzubanski as my character Sharon Strzelecki from Aussie sitcom Kath and Kim!!
"That said, Heath had no idea 'Sharon' was gonna scream like that and he responded like a true Sharon fan.
"He pashed her! I'll describe this incident in detail another time Beautiful #heath."
Support quickly poured in for the beloved comedian, with fans praising her for her humour and fondly remembering the moment.
"You are so wonderful Magda. Thank you for the many, many, many laughs. This one brought tears of laughter," one fan wrote, while another added, "This will go down in history as one of the funniest moments on TV."
Others paid tribute to Ledger, who tragically died on January 22, 2008, less than two years after the skit was filmed.
"What a loss, thank you for sharing," one fan wrote, adding a broken heart emoji.
Another said: "I love this so much. He was such a beautiful young man."
The AFI Awards red carpet moment also featured Dannii Minogue, with Szubanski posing between the Aussie singer and Ledger, both women wearing matching green dresses.
Sharon's infamous "pash rash" was also on full display- a staple of her character's love life mishaps.
The sports-obsessed second-best friend of Kim had no shortage of iconic love interests over the years, including the late Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne, who appeared in the final episode as a Warnie impersonator who ends up marrying Strzelecki.
