Even before “The Dark Knight” hit theatres last summer, Hollywood showbiz figures were envisaging, while others were approving, that Heath Ledger would definitely receive an Academy Award nomination for his magnificent portrayal of the villainous Joker in last year’s blockbuster.

 

Thus, some months later, the late Australian actor’s mother, father and sister entered the stage in order to accept the Oscar for best supporting actor on Heath Ledger’s behalf. And while his 3-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger, is due to become the true owner of the statuette when she turns 18, the actor’s family had the assignment to accept the sought-after prize.

 

“Heath, we both knew what you had created in the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day,” said the late actor’s sister, Kate, on the stage of Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. “We really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda. Thank you.” In addition, Heath Ledger’s mom, Sally Bell, said that the actor’s family had attended the ceremony so as to “celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved.”

 

Asked backstage if Heath Ledger’s little girl found out about the entire Oscar buzz, Kim Ledger, the late actor’s father, explained that Matilda’s mother, actress Michelle Williams, protects her daughter from rumors in an attempt to let the little girl live a normal childhood.

 

While on stage, Heath Ledger’s dad thanked the Academy for appreciating the actor’s “amazing work” and explained that the award “would have validated his quiet determination to be accepted by his peers within an industry he so loved.”

 

Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose on January 22, 2008, at the age of 28, became only the second artist to win an Academy Award posthumously, since he follows in the footsteps of Peter Finch, who was posthumously named best actor more than three decades ago for his role in 1976’s production “Network.”

 

Moreover, the actor was nominated for an Oscar as well approximately three years ago, when he received a nomination in the best actor category for his performance in “Brokeback Mountain,” but lost the race to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for “Capote.”

 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week it had decided to offer Matilda Ledger the Oscar statuette after she turns 18 if her father turned out to be the winner of the rare posthumous Academy Award.

 

Last night, “Slumdog Millionaire” was named best picture of the year and collected several other awards, while Sean Penn, who won best actor for “Milk,” Kate Winslet, who took home the best actress prize for “The Reader,” and Danny Boyle, the helmer of “Slumdog Millionaire,” who won best director, collected the event’s most prestigious awards.