Sunday night, late actor Heath Ledger became the second person to receive a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s „The Dark Knight,” the statue being set to be given to his daughter Matilda, 3, when she turns 18 years old.

The Academy Award was accepted by Ledger’s father, mother and sister as the audience rose for a standing ovation to honor the actor.

Heath Ledger’s sister Kate said that her brother had sent her bits of “The Dark Knight” movie before his death, adding that she had been sure he would win an Oscar for his role.

His father Kim told the audience that the honor would have validated Heath’s determination to be accepted by his peers, also announcing that the prize would go to Matilda.

On January 22, 2008, the 28-year-old actor died of prescription medication overdose, five months before „The Dark Knight” was released and his performance came into much critical acclaim, which rendered him a very possible choice for an Oscar nod.

The Oscar awarded to Ledger has made him the second actor to posthumously win an Oscar after Peter Finch won the honor for his 1976's „Network” approximately two months after he had suffered a fatal heart attack at age 60.

Back in 2005, the actor received an Academy Award nomination for best leading actor for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the movie „Brokeback Mountain,” which made him the ninth youngest nominee for a Best Actor Oscar, yet he did not go home with an award that Oscars’ edition.