The late Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “The Dark Knight.” The Australian actor’s posthumous trophy was accepted for him by director Christopher Nolan as the stars invited at the Beverly Hilton Hotel gave a standing ovation. Ledger died last January from an overdose of prescription medications, before "The Dark Knight" was released and became the second-highest grossing movie in Hollywood, after "Titanic." "The Dark Knight" was the actor's last opportunity to complete a film role.

 

Mickey Rourke a veteran actor who admitted to have had a wild off-screen behavior that nearly ruined his reputation and almost cost him the lead role in "The Wrestler," was named best dramatic actor for his role as an over-the-hill grappler in the movie. He stated that “It’s been a very long road back for me,” Rourke said. “Several years ago I was almost out of this business.” Rourke was initially dropped from the film when the producers could not raise money to make the movie with him in the lead, and he was recast after Nicolas Cage, who was supposed to replace him and director Darren Aronofsky parted ways on the movie. The actor was so grateful for the chance he was given, that he even thanked his dogs for sticking with him when others did not.

 

Mickey Rourke also took the credit for personally having asked Bruce Springsteen to compose the ballad for "The Wrestler." As a result, the legendary rock star received the honors for best original song.

 

Some of the winners appeared surprised and flattered, including the English actress Kate Winslet, who won a trophy for best dramatic actress as an unhappy suburban housewife in "Revolutionary Road" and another one for best supporting actress in "The Reader" for her performance as a German troller worker with a horrendous secret. She said that she had the bad habit of not winning things, after five years of various nominations that never materialized, habit which is supposedly gone starting this Golden Globe edition.

In the other film awards, Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" received the award for best comedy or musical, "Waltz With Bashir" was named top foreign language film, while "Wall-E" took the animation prize. The New York-set “Mad Men” won best TV drama. “30 Rock” won Best TV series (Musical or Comedy) and best actress and actor in a comedy went to Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. Sally Hawkins, who played in "Happy Go Lucky" was named top actress in a musical or comedy, while Irish actor Colin Farrell took the prize for best actor in a musical or comedy in "In Bruges'." City-bred Laura Linney won miniseries or TV movie best actress award for “John Adams.”

 

Brad Pitt was nominated for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” while Angelina Jolie was up for “Changeling.” Steven Spielberg picked up a lifetime achievement award.