Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis broke down in tears as he paid tribute to Heath Ledger during an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's talk show on Thursday.

Day-Lewis broke off a chat to promote his new movie There Will Be Blood to express his sorrow at the Australian star's death from a suspected drug overdose at his New York apartment on Tuesday.

The 50-year-old's eyes filled with tears as he struggled to speak of Ledger's career and premature death.

He said, "I hope you don't mind if I speak about this Oprah... I feel very unsettled at the moment. I only just heard the news about Heath Ledger. It seems strange to be talking about anything else. There isn't anything to say other than to express one's regret to his family and his friends. I didn't know him. I have a strong impression I would have liked him very much as a person if I had. I had already marvelled at some of his work. And looked forward to the work he would do in the future."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)