Family and friends, including ex-girlfriend Naomi Watts, came together to remember Heath Ledger at a special memorial dinner held in his honor on Saturday.

The intimate event took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Around 15 people wore black for the occasion as they reminisced about the 28-year-old actor who was found dead in Manhattan on Tuesday.

An onlooker tells Usmagazine.com, "Even though it was a sad occasion, everyone was smiling, hugging each other and holding hands. It was a really positive group."

Earlier that evening, the group, including Ledger's mother, Sally and sister Kate, had gathered for a short memorial at the Westwood Village Memorial Park. Australia's Channel 7 reports that Watts was "visibly upset."

Across the country in New York, 1,000 guests at the G'Day USA Australia Day Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel held a moment of silence in honor of Ledger. Australia's consul-general also read a letter written by the actor's father, Kim, according to Melbourne newspaper, The Age.

"Heath did not become an actor for the fame or fortune," Kim wrote. "He loved his craft and he loved helping his friends. He loved chess and skateboarding too."

Kim's letter also said: "My image of Heath in New York is him with his skateboard, a canvas bag and his beanie. That was Heath to me...Heath is and always will be an Australian."

Australian news outlets are also reporting a memorial and burial service will take place in Perth, Ledger's home town.