As we reported earlier this week, Warner Brothers studio has been commended for responding to last week’s tragedy in Aurora, CO swiftly and responsibly, by canceling the international press tour and pulling many TV ads for The Dark Knight Rises. Now, Christian Bale, star of the film, has chosen to express his respect and sympathy by visiting with victims of the shooting.

According to The Denver Post, Bale and his wife, Sibi Blazic, met with seven patients at the Medical Center of Aurora on Tuesday afternoon. Hospital interim president Bill Voloch said that Bale notified hospital officials that he wanted to visit the injured, and asked that the media not be notified in advance.

Bale and his wife also met with a number of doctors and first responders, and visited a memorial that has been set up near the movie theater. Officials from Warner Brothers have said that Bale decided to go Aurora on his own, and was not asked to do so by the studio.

The actor had released a statement in the wake of the tragedy, saying, “Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them.” It’s one thing to release such a statement, but quite another to turn words into actions and make the direct, personal impact that Bale made during his trip to Aurora.

“It was good for the patients,” Voloch told The Denver Post. “We hope it was therapeutic for them, and all the staff really appreciated him coming.”

For the full story in The Denver Post, click here.

For a gallery of photos, click here.