While Michael Jackson had tabloids buzzing for the second half of this year, the passing of Heath Ledger last January still leaves many with a hollow feeling. He was a young father whose untimely death left a family, colleagues and countless fans with unanswerable questions.
I know the story has been covered inside and out for a while now, but with Heath Ledger's last movie set for release in the U.S., I felt this cluster of 12 posthumous innovations would be a good way to show that that even though good people pass, their legacy lives on through their accomplishments.
Check out all of the posthumous innovations, from posthumous music vids to Michael Jackson dance tributes.
12 Posthumous Innovations
From Heath Ledger's New Movie to Michael Jackson Tribute Dances:
Brian G Randles — Dec 31, 2009 — Art & Design
11
Posthumous Honors
Heath Ledger Gets Chauvel Award
10
Posthumous Restaurant Openings
Five Leaves Opens, Minus Heath Ledger
9
Posthumous Restaurant Promos
Ivar's Underwater Billboards Surface from the Puget Sound
8
Patient Petography
Posthumous Publication Shows Off Impeccably-Timed Shots
7
Posthumous Film Trailers
Heath Ledger's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'
6
Posthumous Magazine Covers
Heath Ledger Graces Front of Entertainment Weekly
5
Posthumous Dance Tributes
“Dancing With the Stars” Michael Jackson Homage
4
Posthumous Music Videos
Heath Ledger Directed Modest Mouse ‘King Rat' Video
3
Posthumous Ivy League Lawsuits
Yale's ‘Skull and Bones' Sued for Geronimo'
2
Posthumous Viral Movements
The Dark Campaign to Score The Dark Knight An Oscar
1
Characterized Cisterns
Leave a Posthumous Pitcher With Family to Remember You By
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Celebrative Icon-Inspired Campaigns
adidas Originals Honors 55 Years with Superstar: The Original
Movie-Inspired Chocolate Bars
Compartés x Wicked: For Good Incorporates Viral Flavors
Entertainment Franchise Revivals
Disney Unveiled TRON Sequel Trailer for Anticipated Continuation
Grim Heirloom Jackets
Columbia Sportswear's Death Wishes Jacket Includes a Will & Testament
Whimsical Halloween Decor Ranges
Michael's Alice's Adventures Collection Will Arrive for Halloween
Villain-Inspired Graphic Streetwear
©SAINT Mxxxxxx Celebrates Heath Ledger's Joker in New Capsule
Furniture-Honoring Campaigns
IKEA Wherever Life Goes Campaign Honors Furniture as Everlasting
Heartwarming Bank Campaigns
Chase's Next Thing You Know Campaign Captures a Full Life
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Star-Backed Alcohol Campaigns
This Dom Pérignon Campaign Unites Creators in an Artistic Tribute
Spooky Dating-Inspired Candies
Sweethearts Launched Ghosted Sweethearts for Halloween
Exquisitely Artistic Vase Collections
Hering Berlin Taps Pierce Brosnan for 'So Many Dreams'
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Gothic Romance Retail Collabs
Bloomingdale's X "Wuthering Heights" Celebrates a Filmic Retelling
Substance Use Narrative Shifts
The Missing Issue Offers a New Perspective on Celebrity Struggles
Black Metal-Inspired Lip Balms
e.l.f. Cosmetics and Liquid Death Launched "Lip Embalms"
Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags
Innocean Berlin's Glory Over Pain Corporation Campaign is Satirical
Avant-Garde Haute-Couture Fashion Exhibits
The Rick Owens 'Temple of Love' Exhibition is Stunning
Gamer-Targeted Donor Campaigns
Virtual Donors Turns In-Game Deaths into Real Registrations
Inclusive Diverse Board Games
Safehaven Presents the Where Hope Lives Board Game
Candid Home Life-Inspired Campaigns
Jacquemus' New Film Stars Pamela Anderson and Her Sons
Multidisciplinary Art Shows
These Thoughts May Disappear Shows Jack White’s First Public Art Show
Curated Design Initiatives
Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Launches The Curious 100 List
Design-Forward Funerary Urn Exhibitions
Alessi's Il Tornitore Matto Project is Thought-Provoking
Filmic Solid Perfumes
'Til Death by Heretic Parfum Tells the Story of The Bride!
Portrait-Inspired Luxury Campaigns
The Balenciaga Heart and Body Campaign Taps Brand Ambassadors
Emotional Holiday Campaigns
John Lewis 2025 Christmas Ad Fuse 90s Nostalgia with Family Connection
Iconic Draft Activations
At This Year's NFL Draft, Heinz is Crowning the First-Ever "Mr. 57"
Artist-Supported Marker Brand Activations
Sharpie Expands Partnersip with Jeremiyah Love
Actor-Honoring Photo Prints
Sonic Editions Celebrates the Life of Robert Redford
Next Generation Art Designs
Apple Designers of Tomorrow Presents New Talent at Design Miami Paris
Tribute-Paying Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Mcqueen's Pre-Fall 2025 Campaign is Set in Coach & Horses
Curated Seasonal Whisky Releases
The Balvenie Debuted 'A Gift Shaped by the Seasons'
Cult Film-Inspired Graphic Tees
These Capsule Tees Pay Homage to 17-Year-Old Dark Knight Film.
Movie-Musical Vodka Collections
The Absolut-ly Wicked Good Cocktail Collection Makes Drinks Magic
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Creative Urban Collaborative Fashion
A Day's March Joins Deadwood on a Joint Collection
Cinematic Denim Campaigns
Levi’s Enlists Shaboozey and Matty Matheson to Reimagine Western Staples
Celebrity-Backed Luxury Jewelry Campaigns
Tiffany & Co. Runs an Ad with Natalie Portman
Honest Sustainability-Focused Installations
Temple (The Last Cheeseburger) is Thought-Provoking
Cross-Disciplinary Campaign Films
Levi's 'Behind Every Original' is Supported by 'Backstory'
Feel-Good Hotlines
Harry's Interactive Mural Provides an Opportunity to Check In
Distracted Driving Awareness Videos
Project Yellow Light's 'Love Story' Is a Wake-Up Call
Feel-Good Kombucha Pop-Ups
Lipton Ice Tea's Komboomcha Box Shared the Joy of Dance & Music
Symbolic Pop-Up Wellness Experiences
Hone Health Hosts Death of Midlife Pop-Up
Festive Shoppable Choirs
Toblerone Reimagined Holiday Songs & Shared QR Codes for Buying Truffles
Film-Inspired Cocktail Campaigns
Ketel One Vodka Collaborates with Patrick Schwarzenegger
360-Degree Archive Experiences
Lightroom Launches a David Bowie Exhibit Dubbed 'You're Not Alone'
Revived Anime Sequences
Yuki’s Revenge Premieres as a Rediscovered Kill Bill Chapter
Timeless Literary-Inspired Fragrances
Immortal Perfumes Features Unique Story-Inspired Scents
Empowering Short Films
CoorDown's ‘No Decision Without Us’ Campaign Pushes for Inclusion
Dessert-Inspired Fashion Shows
Sensorial Treats Inspired the Inaugural House of Magnum Collection
Cinematic Valentine's Day Campaigns
Tiffany & Co.'s 2026 Valentine's Day Film Starred Adria Arjona
Multi-Sensory Movie Experiences
Scentbird x I Know What You Did Last Summer Enhanced a Screening
Dreamy Dance-Centric Ads
Apple and Spike Jonze Reimagine Heartbreak with the AirPods 4 Ad
Film Masterpieces-Focused Programming Initiatives
Regal Cinemas Debuts the Month of Masterpieces
Thailand-Inspired Wellness Exhibitions
KAWS Presents the KAWS: HOLIDAY THAILAND Exhibition
Celeb-Founded Premium Dog Foods
Kevin Hart Launched Hartfelt to Nourish Pets Like Family
Art-Inspired Streetwear Exhibits
Silent Echoes Show Sees Leyla Fischer’s Exploration of Emotion
Film-Inspired Limited-Edition Jewelry Collections
8 Other Reasons Taps Wicked: for Good for Inspo
Fedora Popcorn Buckets
Cinemark's Michael Black Hat Popcorn Bucket Reimagines a Stage Accessory
Emotional Mothers Day Ads
Apple's Mother’s Day Campaign Showcases Spatial Video's Emotional Power
Heartwarming Prom-Style Events
The Tim Tebow Foundation Organizes Night to Shine
Nostalgic English Country Vignettes
Church’s Taps Theo James for Second Footwear Instalment
Innovative Bitcoin Bourbons
Heritage Distilling Engages Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts
Ultra-Elegant Holiday Fashion Campaigns
Stuart Weitzman & Keke Palmer Present 'Life of the Party'
French Beer Marketing Campaigns
1664 Features Robert Pattinson in Its New Acting-Inspired Campaign
Immersive Art Exhibitions
The New Art Exhibition by Pierre Huyghe is on at Fondation Beyeler
Buoyant Toy Spots
Tom Holland Stars in LEGO's Imaginative 'Never Stop Playing'
Immersive Floral Tributes
ESPN Honors the 2025 NBA Finals with Mr. Flower Fantastic
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Hip-Hop-Honoring Soda Campaigns
Sprite The Living Tracklist Campaign Commemorates Impactful Songs
Product-Inspired Halloween Looks
Aldi and EllaDoesFX Created a Look Inspired by Professor Peppy
Family-Centric Animated Films
The Sneaks Movie is an Animated Feature Honoring Sneaker Culture
Youth-Led Holiday Campaigns
Where are You Going? Showcases a Global Portrait of Young Creators
Illuminated Curtained Light Installations
Lachlan Turczan Adds to Making the Invisible Visible
Iconic Musician-Honoring Exhibitions
Elvis Presley's Graceland Complex Debuts Two New Exhibits
Iconic Footwear Tribute Films
Maison Margiela Pays Homage to Its Iconic Tabi Footwear
Celebrity-Backed Whiskey Campaigns
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Taps Andrew Scott for Next Chapter
Accelerated Hiv Care Innovations
Elton John AIDS Foundation Celebrates Zipline's US Funding
Afterlife Music Speakers
The Eternal Playlist Urn Blends a Bluetooth Speaker with Memorial Design
Celebratory Mother’s Day Collections
Hallmark Presents Its Latest Mother's Day Collection
Accessible Film Experiences
GLOBO Enhances 'The Moonwalkers: a Journey with Tom Hanks' Access
Humorous High-Intensity Campaigns
Nike Launched its Star-Studded 'Rip the Script' Video Campaign
Forthright Gifting Campaigns
The Honest Dad Unboxing Guides Gift-Givers to Pick Better Presents
Father-Honoring Appreciation Collections
Hallmark Unveiled Its Father's Day Collection
Rapper Merch Collections
Bravado x DMX Merch Collection Launches Official Web Shop and Vinyls
Pop Culture Wedding Collections
A Dynamic Duo Inspired The Engagement Era Collection by The Knot
Botanical Light Series
His Trees from the Garden by Mj Fraser Forms Sculptural Lighting
Immersive Art Retrospectives
Anish Kapoor Returns to the Hayward Gallery with Major Installations
Tribute Pop-Up Exhibits
The Sun Valley Museum of Art Presents the Life & Legacy of Adam West
Interactive Solidified Remains Quizes
Parting Stone Celebrated April Fool's with a Playful Quiz
Celebrity-Supported Luxe Fashion Campaigns
BOSS Taps Renowned Public Figures for Fall 2025
Memory Loss Ink-Fading Books
The 4,4,4&2 Book Uses Disappearing Ink to Reflect Dementia’s Mind
Glitching Movie-Inspired Banking Billboards
This BMO Billboard Brings a Film Detail to Life
Festive Fairytale Campaigns
Boots' Gift Happily Ever After Celebrates Meaningful Gifting
Healing Memorial Monument Parks
The ET-302 Memorial Park is a Space of Resilience
Cult-Favorite Animation-Inspired Lighting Effects
Govee Taps Disney's Moana for Inspiration
Mushroom-Inspired Outdoor Light
Patrick Norguet Designs the Kinno Light for Lodes
Encouraging Graduation Gifts
Jane Win X Brad Meltzer Team Up to Release the 'Make Magic Bundle'
Author-Supported Valentine's Day Campaigns
Hallmark Partners with Katherine Schwarzenegger
Birthday-Celebrating Sculpture Exhibitions
Richard MacDonald Marks His 80th with a Two-Day Event
Halloween-Themed Advent Calendars
The 13 Nights of Halloween Advent Calendar Builds Excitement
Skateboarding Heritage Collection
United Through Skateboarding Honors Atiba Jefferson’s Creativity
Poet-Driven Valentine's Day Campaigns
UrbanStems Partners with JB Copeland for V-Day
Commemorative Music Coins
The Royal Mint Honours Freddie Mercury with a Special Edition Coin
Environmental Film Platforms
Patagonia Films Emphasizes the Power of Storytelling
Sports Memorabilia Authentication Technologies
Genuine Joins Bo Jackson for His Charity Event
Tree-Covered Vertical Mausoleum
Lehrer Architects and AyD Create the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Metal Icon Documentary Series
Gibson Films Debuts 'Iommi: the Godfather of Heavy Metal'
Celebratory Innovation Coins
The United States Mint 2026 $1 Innovation Coins Come in Four Designs
Global Guitar Searches
Gibson x Michael J. Fox Launch s Search for Lost Back to the Future Guitar
Festive Musician-Led Campaigns
Smirnoff ICE Partners with Troye Sivan for the Holidays
Reflective Memorial Architecture
Sanctum of Trees Reinterprets Tamil Temple Ritual in a Monolith
Exclusive Film Soundtrack Cards
Yoto Released its Wicked: For Good Full Soundtrack Audio Card
Plant-Inspired Modern Memorial Designs
Lemay Completed Place Des Montréalaises
Mixtape Merch Capsules
Nicholas Daley Designs New Merchandise for Echo45 Sound System
Digital Memory Albums
Heart Memories Lets Users Capture and Share Life’s Special Moments
Digital Memorialization Tools
RememberMeAI Creates Interactive Avatars of Deceased Loved Ones
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Reflective Public Sculptures
Flowers and Butterflies are Dancing Changes Appearance Every Hour
Digital Memorial Platforms
Good Casper Creates Lasting Digital Memorials With QR Tributes
Animated Fantasy Films
Disney Unveils Hexed as an Original Story About Hidden Magic and Family
30-Hour Music Events
The Infinite Now Builds Sleep into the Experience with Beds and Hammocks
Access-Focused Performing Arts Organizations
SHOWAbility Emphasizes Disability Inclusion
Startup Failure Archives
404tomb Documents Defunct Startups And Their Digital Legacy
Film-Themed Guitar Collections
Gibson Pays Homage to ‘Back to the Future’ with Lost to the Future
Cinematic Discovery Platforms
What's After the Movie? Reveals Reviews and Box Office Insights
Regal Seasonal Solace Films
The Mother Nature Summer Film Speaks to Healing and Human Bonds
Glowing Whimsical Storybook Lanterns
Lake + Wells Launches the Fabel Lantern with Glowing Features
Anniversary Design Shows
Tiptoe 10 Years Celebrates Its Iconic Table Leg Through 10 Designer Works
Living Mycelium Installations
The Flight into Shadow Installation is Aesthetically Pleasing
Young Innovator-Honoring Award Initiatives
TNL Mediagene Runs Its Becoming Aces Awards Ceremony
Pilates-Forward Wellness Practices
Balanced Body Highlights the Work of Charlene Abdul
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Endurance Tap Dance Performances
Andrew Nemr's Dark Night Explores Human Resilience
Captioned Movie Experiences
Mission: Impossible–he Final Reckoning Boosts Cinematic Accessibility
Elderly-Catered Journal Concepts
The Dual-Screen Journal Concept Captures Important Memories
Comprehensive Musician-Honoring Publications
Gibson Publishing Taps Metallica Icon Kirk Hammett
Wooden Identity Art Forms
Hugh Hayden's Hughmanity Show Explores Identity Through Wood & Symbolism