Heath Ledger famously received a posthumous Oscar for his function because the Joker.
Ledger, who died of an unintentional overdose aged simply 28 in 2008, received Best Supporting Actor for his function in The Darkish Knight on the 81st Academy Awards.
Although he had been beforehand nominated for Finest Actor in 2006 for Brokeback Mountain, he misplaced out to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of Truman Capote.
Footage of celebrities‘ reactions to him successful the Oscar is heartbreaking to look again on now, with a number of within the room being former co-workers of Ledger.
Ledger’s household accepted the award he had received posthumously
The star’s award was accepted by his father, Kim Ledger, mom Sally Bell, and older sister Kate Ledger.
Ledger died on 22 January, 2008 after by chance overdosing on prescription painkillers.
The Joker actor stands as one among solely two actors to obtain an award posthumously – the primary being Peter Finch who received Finest Actor for his function in 1976’s Community.
Heath Ledger because the Joker in The Darkish Knight (Warner Bros.)
Although many felt it was a foregone conclusion that Ledger would win, he got here up in opposition to a number of iconic roles.
Additionally nominated was Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt, Josh Brolin in Milk, and Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Street.
The emotional speech by Ledger’s household
The speech given by Ledger’s family was deeply emotional, with them noting how they felt the Oscar would have been validating for Ledger. Kim stated: “I’ve to say that is ever so humbling, being amongst such great folks and such an exquisite trade.
“This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath’s quiet willpower to be accepted by you all right here, his friends, inside an trade he so liked.”
Kate went on to say: “Heath was such a compassionate and beneficiant soul who added a lot pleasure and inspiration to our lives.
Ledger’s household accepted the award on his behalf (Kevin Winter by way of Getty Photos)
“We have now been actually overwhelmed by the honour and respect bestowed upon him by this award.
“Tonight we’re selecting to rejoice and be completely satisfied for what he achieved.”
Whereas his mom stated they might be utilizing the second to be ‘completely satisfied for what he has achieved’, the room stuffed with Hollywood’s brightest lights was clearly struck by sorrow for having misplaced one among their very own quantity.
The response of Hollywood A-list stars
The response of main stars like Brad Pitt, Anne Hathaway, Ben Kingsley, and Kate Winslet to a much-deserved award Ledger did not dwell to obtain himself was actually heartbreaking.
The actor received the award posthumously (Gabriel Bouys by way of Getty Photos)
Kate spoke to her brother the night time earlier than he died and stated they have been ‘laughing and joking’, whereas she dispelled any rumours that his efficiency because the Joker in The Darkish Knight or his preparation for the function had contributed to his loss of life.
There had been claims that Ledger’s dedication to the function, together with locking himself in a lodge room for weeks and preserving a diary of his character’s thoughts had contributed ultimately to his loss of life, however his sister refuted these options.
Kate defined that he’d been ‘so proud’ of what he’d achieved within the film and was trying ahead to showing in one other as he’d ‘had the very best time ever’ engaged on the movie.
She stated: “He liked working with Chris Nolan and Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.
“When he got here house at Christmas, he could not wait to inform us all about it, and he was doing the voice and laughing, displaying me all of the rushes. We had a good time.”
For a lot of followers, he is the best actor to play the Joker of all time and his efficiency in The Darkish Knight will dwell ceaselessly in reminiscence.
Joaquin Phoenix additionally received an Oscar for enjoying the identical function in 2019’s Joker and paid tribute to Ledger, saying: “I am standing right here on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger, so, thanks.”
