Family Tearfully Honors Heath Ledger as He Wins Acting Award
Us Magazine - December 8, 2008 8:17 AM PST
Us Magazine
Ledger's father, Kim; mother, Sally and sister, Kate, tearfully accepted the Australian Film Institute's prestigious international award on his behalf.
"It's been without a doubt the most difficult year, losing such a loved family member," said Kate Ledger while struggling to keep from crying.
"We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, who we will cherish forever," she said, referencing Matilda, his 3-year-old child with Michelle Williams.
Look back at adorable photos of Heath and Matilda.
Ledger's performance as Joker in the Batman flick could earn him a posthumous Academy Award for best supporting actor, the Associated Press reported.
See photos of Heath through the years.
"It was this swaggering, psychopathic clown that turned his career into a legacy and the name Heath Ledger into an ongoing inspiration to actors everywhere," the Australian Film Institute said in a statement at the awards ceremony Saturday night in Melbourne.
Ledger's mom, Sally, thanked the institute for the tribute to her son, who died in NYC this past January of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was 28.
See photos of stars gone too soon.
"We are immensely proud of him, not only for his professional achievements, but in the way he truly cherished his family, friends and his precious Matilda," Sally said.
"Heath was never one to accept mediocrity, he put his heart and soul into achieving what he believed was required and followed his passions with great enthusiasm and an insatiable curiosity," she added.
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jazzy gthey say it's his "best" role but i liked him alot in "the patriot" with mel gibson.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 5:50 PM PST
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KEPSITREALHIS BEST ROLE EVER PLAYED..LOVED HIM.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 5:06 PM PST
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keep it realif we want to see heath again, take a look at his beautiful little girl. she's the spitting image of her daddy. :)report abuseposted December 8, 2008 1:01 PM PST
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BeccaSuea well deserved award. he was the only good thing about the dark knight. i hope his beautiful daughter will realize one day what an impact her daddy left on his fans. we miss you, heath. i pray you've found peace.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 12:38 PM PST
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Erica Rwe will miss u Heathreport abuseposted December 8, 2008 12:31 PM PST
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kikookay at some point these millionaire comments are way innappropriate...report abuseposted December 8, 2008 12:03 PM PST
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karenHow sad for his parents to have lost their beautiful son so early with the best part of life yet to come. So many really wonderful actors died young and we were all cheated of the enjoyment of watching their careers skyrocket and the joy on their faces as they were awarded for their acting efforts. God has a heaven full of wonderful entertainers someday we will enjoy them all again.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 11:56 AM PST
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unknownHe would have been something quite special over a 50 year career...same with someone like River Phoenix. Too young to die.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 10:47 AM PST
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SarahSuch a wonderful actor taken too soon.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 9:36 AM PST
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Heath will ALWAYS live through his beautiful daughter Matilda.report abuseposted December 8, 2008 9:00 AM PST
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