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Cops looking for Kim Ledger impostor

Australian actor Heath Ledger, shown in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain" in this undated publicity photo, died at the age of 28 on January 22, 2008. Ledger was found dead at a downtown Manhattan residence in a possible drug-related death, police said. (UPI Photo/Focus Features/Handout/Files)
1 of 2 | Australian actor Heath Ledger, shown in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain" in this undated publicity photo, died at the age of 28 on January 22, 2008. Ledger was found dead at a downtown Manhattan residence in a possible drug-related death, police said. (UPI Photo/Focus Features/Handout/Files) | License Photo

NEW YORK , Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Police are looking for the impostor who pretended to be the father of late Australian actor Heath Ledger and contacted Hollywood celebrities seeking sympathy.

The New York Post said someone posing as Ledger's grieving father Kim sought comfort from Tom Cruise and a plane ticket from John Travolta.

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A third, unnamed celebrity was reportedly approached and asked for the phone numbers of actors Christian Bale and Mel Gibson, as well.

The unknown impostor also allegedly conned Manhattan's Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home into booking him and his family into rooms at the posh Carlyle Hotel and talked to the doctor who performed an autopsy on Heath Ledger last week.

Detectives were sent to Ledger's wake at the funeral home Friday in hopes of nabbing the suspect on fraud and larceny charges, the Post said.

Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment Jan. 22. The cause of his death hasn't been determined.

The 28-year-old actor starred in "Brokeback Mountain" and "Casanova" and will be soon be seen in the "Batman" sequel "The Dark Knight."

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He is expected to be buried this week in his hometown of Perth, Australia, the Post said.

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