Rose Byrne has praised the late Heath Ledger for being an inspiration to fellow Australian actors

Speaking to Australia's Daily Telegraph, the 'Bridesmaids' star said: "Heath was so generous when any young Aussies would come to LA. You always had a place to stay, and he got me auditions on the projects which he was working on. He forged an amazing reputation in Hollywood. He paved the way for so many Aussies who have come after him."

Rose, 39, and Heath starred together in drama 'Two Hands' back in 1991, and the actress is now on the judging panel for the Heath Ledger scholarship which was set up in the iconic actor's memory 10 years ago.

The scholarship is worth $30,000 and was established to help struggling actors make it in the industry, and other judges on the panel this year include Elizabeth Debicki, Matt Damon and Naomi Watts.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Heath's passing, and earlier this year several celebrities, including Naomi - who previously dated the actor - took to social media to pay tribute.

She wrote: "Thinking about this beautiful soul today. 10 years ago he left this world. He was a true original. Heart always on his sleeve, with the most powerful charisma, strength, humor and talent. I will never forget his gentle spirit. (sic)"

Busy Philipps - who is close friends with Heath's ex girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he had daughter Matilda, now 12 - also paid her respects, saying she "can't believe" a decade has passed already.

She said: "That anniversary, just brought up a lot of ... I can't believe it's been 10 years. I was pregnant with Birdie. I had seen him a couple months earlier, and you know, [Williams and Ledger] were broken up. I've never talked about it. I've never shared it, because I'm hyper protective of [Williams] and her daughter. But I also think ... I think it's OK. Everyone's allowed to have their own feelings about something that happens."