Heath Ledger Joker: His family’s emotional Oscars acceptance speech ‘He dreamed of this’

The Dark Knight: Heath Ledger and Christian Bale star in trailer

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Ledgers’ Oscars win was remarkable for many reasons. His shock death before the film was even released certainly drew added attention and weight to his performance but it would be an injustice to infer that it was teh reason he triumphed on the night. It’s easy to forget that 2005’s Batman Begin’s had only taken $374million against a huge $150million budget. The Dark Knight blew that out of the sky with a whopping $1.08billion box office haul. It’s fair to say that much of this was down to Ledger’s towering performance which dominated the screen, and the reviews and subsequent buzz afterward.

Ledger never had the chance to even see his performance on the screen. The actor had died after an accidental overdose of medication on January 22, 2008, while the film was in post-production. The Dark Knight was released that July and became the highest-grossing film of the year. 

Actors rarely receive awards consideration for genre movies, so it was particularly extraordinary that the Australian star was singled out for the particular role. He had already been nominated at the Oscars, BAFTAS, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes in 2005 for Brokeback Mountain.

He would sweep the lot four years later in one of the most moving and emotional moments in Oscars history.

At the 2009 Oscar ceremony, the acting awards were announced after a short-lived experiment whereby previous Oscar winners introduced each of the nominees, with Kevin Kline announcing the nomination of Ledger.

He said: “In a year of striking film images perhaps the most unforgettable was that of a man, his face smeared in clown make-up gleefully sticking his head out of a speeding car, relishing the night wind and revelling in the chaos he has unleashed on the streets of Gotham City.

“Menacing, mercurial, droll and diabolical, Heath Ledger as the Joker in the Dark Knight kept us all on edge, anxious to see what act of appalling mischief he might commit next.

“With this bravura performance as well as with a wide range of other roles to which he put his unique signature, Heath Ledger has left us an original and enduring legacy.

It might have seen like a foregone conclusion but the race that year was stacked with strong and attention-grabbing performances.

Ledger was up against Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road, Robert Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder,  Josh Brolin in Milk and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt.

In the end, of course the Academy honoured the man and his legacy as much as his extraordinary portrayal of Batman’s nemesis.

As his name was called out, the audience rose to their feet and the actor’s family made their way to the stage.

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jrt2xoy5UHo

Accepting the Oscar on Ledger’s behalf were his father Kim Ledger, his mother Sally Ledger Bell and his sister Kate Ledger.

During the speeches, the camera constantly panned in on tearful stars welling up at the emotional moment, from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to Ann Hathaway, Kate Winslet, and Adrien Brody.

Kim said: “ I have to say this is ever so humbling, being amongst such wonderful people and such a wonderful industry. Firstly, we’d like to thank the Academy for recognising our son’s amazing work. Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan in particular for allowing Heath the creative license to develop and explore this crazy Joker character.”

Kim added: “To Steve Alexander, Heath’s mentor, agent and special friend for ten years. We love you, Steve.

“This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath’s quiet determination to be accepted by you all here, his peers, within an industry he so loved.

Sally said: “Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives. We have been truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect bestowed upon him by this award. 

“Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he achieved.”

Finally, the actor’s sister revealed that they had talked before he died about the role bringing him an Oscar.

Visibly emotional, Kate directed her comments directly to her brother: “We both knew what you had created on the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day. We really wish you were but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Mathilda.”

Mathilda, is Ledger’s daughter with his partner, actress Michelle Williams.

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