MELBOURNE, Australia – Australian actor Heath Ledger took time out from promoting his new movie to assail Prime Minister John Howard’s support of the U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

At the Australian premiere of "Ned Kelly," a film about on the 19th-century Australian bandit turned folk hero, Ledger branded Australia’s involvement in the Iraq war as "ridiculous." Australia has deployed 2,000 troops to the Middle East.

"I think John ‘Coward’ should just grow up," he said last Thursday, as U.S. missiles began falling on Baghdad. "He’s so subservient to this guy [U.S. President George W. Bush] and they’re sending 250,000 troops over there, why should we send our 2,000? It makes no difference."

Ledger first attracted world attention in the Hollywood teen flick "Ten Things I Hate About You." He also had parts in the civil war drama "The Patriot" with fellow Australian Mel Gibson and the historical drama "The Four Feathers."