23 February,2009 07:29 PM IST | | PTI
In death, Heath Ledger on Monday became the second person to win an Oscar posthumously after he was named the Best Supporting Actor for his performance as the Joker in the Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight.
Peter Finch had won an Oscar for his film Network in 1976 a month after his death. Ledger had also won major awards of the year, including the Golden Globe and BAFTA for his diabolic act.
The 28-year-old Australian actor died in January last year of an accidental overdose of prescribed drugs.
The award was accepted by Ledger's family, who had flown in from Australia for the ceremony.
"This is ever so humbling I would like to thank the Academy for recognising our son's work and Christopher Nolen for giving him the freedom to explore the role," said father Kim Ledger.
"He had even talked about being here. We wish he was here but we accept the award on behalf of your beautiful Mathilda (Ledger's daughter)," said Ledger's sister.
