Featured Image Credit: Oscars
Topics: Oscars, Heath Ledger, Hollywood, Joker, Academy Awards, Celebrity
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Oscars, Heath Ledger, Hollywood, Joker, Academy Awards, Celebrity
Heartbreaking footage from the 2009 Oscars shows celebrities' reactions to the late Heath Ledger winning an award.
Ledger won Best Supporting Actor at the prestigious awards ceremony for his portrayal of famous DC comics baddie, the Joker.
He played the character in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight alongside the likes of Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The Oscar marked his second Academy Award as he'd won Best Actor for 2005's Brokeback Mountain, but his 2009 win was notably different as Ledger had died a year prior.
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The then 28-year-old died of acute intoxication believed to have been caused by an accidental overdose of prescribed medication.
His untimely and unexpected passing shook the film industry to its very core - something that was visible in the moments that followed Alan Arkin's announcement that Ledger had won his second Oscar.
The camera panned round to show the audience afterwards, where several Hollywood stars looked solemn knowing that Ledger wasn't there to collected the well-deserved accolade for himself.
Notably The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan failed to crack a smile as the camera turned to him in what should have been a happy moment for all those behind the movie.
Elsewhere the likes of Angelina Jolie and Ledger's Brokeback Mountain co-star Anne Hathaway seemed to be tearing up.
Since he couldn't be there to collect his Oscar, Ledger's parents and sister received it on his behalf.
Ledger's father Kim was the first to speak on stage.
"First of all, I have to say this is ever so humbling just being amongst such wonderful people and such a wonderful industry," he began.
"Firstly, I'd like to thank the Academy for recognizing 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.
"To Steve Alexander, Heath's mentor, special friend and agent for ten years; we love you, Steve."
He went on: "This award tonight would've humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here, his peers, within an industry he so loved. Thank you."
Sally Bell, the late actor's mom, continued: "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 honor and respect being bestowed upon him with this award. Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved."
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