Jake Gyllenhaal is taking the death of his friend and Brokeback Mountain co-star, Heath Ledger, especially hard.

A friend of Jake’s says, “[He] is taking it harder than most people.”

Gyllenhaal learned of Ledger’s death while on the set of his latest film Brothers, which is being filmed in New Mexico. He immediately flew out on a commercial flight to New York. He returned to the set Thursday to shoot a scene, but it was apparent Jake’s thoughts were with Ledger.

A source on the set of the movie says, “He was there, but he wasn’t with us. It was obviously a major trauma. These guys were very close. [Jake] was sitting in the director’s chair staring off into space.”

Gyllenhaal has been off on personal leave and the director is filming around Jake’s part as he grieves. He has been spending time with girlfriend Reese Witherspoon and her children in Los Angeles.

Jake is the godfather to Ledger’s 2-year-old daughter, Matilda.

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