Ledger's Oscar to Matilda

February 23, 2009 | Academy Awards

Heath Ledger became the second person to receive a posthumous Oscar last night as his work as the maniacal Joker in "The Dark Knight" won the trophy -- and the statuette will be given to his daughter Matilda, 3, when she's 18.

The actor's father, mother and sister accepted the award to a standing ovation from his peers. "This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by all you here tonight, his peers within an industry he so loved," Heath's father, Kim, said in a quiet and deliberate voice.

His sister Kate added that the golden statuette would go to "your beautiful Matilda." Backstage, Kate revealed to AP that Heath had sent her "bits and pieces" of the unfinished "Dark Knight" before his death -- and that she knew he'd take home an Oscar. "I said, `I have a feeling, this is it for you ... You're going to get a nomination from the Academy,'" Kate said. "He just looked at me and smiled."

Heath died in January 2008 of an accidental drug overdose. His death occurred during filming his final movie, "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" -- with the role being saved with the help of Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Ferrell, who all stepped in to finish the "shape-shifting" role.

comments

why wait til she is 18 years old. she should have it now.

Cheryl
February 23, 2009

All in all everyone has there “own” opinions on this situation. Some people believe he gave it his all with Batman: Dark Knight. The other half believe that the Oscar should have gone to someone else. Then there are people out there that really don’t give a crap about the award shows etc. Further more I seriously doubt that this young lady *Matilida* Would ever think about selling it! I think that would be stupid on her part. We are all jumping the gun here! I believe…Thankful that the family was there to except the award, give a speech and move on. Michelle along with family knows what is best and what to do next just, like any parent would do. It’s all up to them and what there going to do next.

theresa
February 23, 2009

I am so happy that Heath got the award. He deserves it and I am glad his daughter will get it when she is 18 yrs old. Matilda looks the spitting image of Heath, she is a beauty.

mary t
February 23, 2009

Oscar recipients have to sign a legal contract stating that they will sell their Oscars back to the Academy for a dollar if they don’t want to keep them.

Since three-year-old Matilda is well under legal age and cannot sign contracts - the Academy agreed to have the child’s mother act as custodian for the statue and have Matilda sign the contract when she turns eighteen.

KAT
February 23, 2009

Best Villian portrayal ever. Future actors will study his performance when prepping for their own evil roles.

Guy Who Knows
February 23, 2009

No one can write an article anymore - when you drop the “second posthumous” bomb, you have to name the other party. So much for professional journalism.

johnny
February 23, 2009

Matilda can’t get the Oscar until she is an adult because she has to sign an agreement that if she wants to sell it she has to offer it to the academy for $1. I forget when they came up with this rule, but Oscars are very valuable and this one would probably be worth millions give the rarity of posthumous Oscars.

Ron
February 23, 2009

Dennis - Can you be any more callow? (Look it up!)

Charlie
February 23, 2009

Jack Nicholson’s joker is child’s play compared to Heath Ledger’s joker, Dennis. Ledger actually into the playfulness that is inherent in the role without detracting from the degeneracy and seriousness of it. Certainly not a sympathy award. In fact, most worthwhile critics (academic and otherwise) have referred to it as the best villain performance of all-time.

Anonymous
February 23, 2009

The article is incorrect: Ledger is the THIRD posthumous Oscar winner, after Sidney Howard (1939) and William A. Horning (1958/1959).

Andrew P.
February 23, 2009

I agree, it’s now Matilda’s award. I believe they should put it in a case and place it next to Heath’s picture in Matilida’s room. The award will truly inspire her young life! No matter what age she is!

theresa
February 23, 2009

The Ledgers looked beautiful and gave a touching speech. My heart goes out still to Heath’s family for their loss, but his body of work is something for them all to be proud of. He changed motion picture history.

wlc
February 23, 2009

Jack Nicholson was the best Joker and this award was no more than a sympathy award.
can you be any more shallow?

Dennis
February 23, 2009

It’s up to the family of course, but why does Matilda have to be an adult (18) to get her dad’s Oscar? It might inspire her young life if she receives it when she’s 9 or 10.

Roger
February 23, 2009
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