Heath Ledger very deservingly won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. The nominees also included Josh Brolin for Milk, Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder, Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt, and Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road. Ledger was considered a shoe-in since he won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes and The Critics Choice Awards. Director Christopher Nolan accepted Heath’s award on both occasions. Dark Knight producer Charles Roven accepted Ledger’s BAFTA, and co-star Gary Oldman accepted his SAG Award.

Heath’s family accepted the award on his behalf, which will eventually go to his young daughter Matilda when she turns 18. Before the ceremony, father Kim Ledger remarked that he might say a few words. Though he didn’t feel 100% certain Heath would win, he seemed cautiously optimistic.

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim, will be at Sunday’s Academy Awards. If his son wins best supporting actor for playing the Joker in ” The Dark Knight,” the elder Ledger said, “I may say a few words,” usmagazine.com reports.

Kim Ledger said he’s honored by his son’s nomination. “I’m extremely proud,” he told tmz.com, but added: “You can’t expect to win something like this. [The Academy] could just as easily turn left, as [it] could go right.” Being at the Oscars ceremony will be “bittersweet, obviously,” Ledger said. He wouldn’t say whether Ledger’s former fiancee Michelle Williams would be attending.

Nevertheless, Kim Ledger said he isn’t 100 percent sure of his son’s chances. “You can’t take anything for granted,” he said.

[From Newsday]

During his speech, Kim Ledger noted: “It’s very humbling, just being amongst such wonderful people and such a wonderful industry.” He then thanked the Academy, Warner Brothers, and Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. He noted that Nolan allowed Heath “the creative freedom to explore the role. This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath’s determination to be accepted by you, his peers.”

Heath’s mom, Sally Bell said “Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul. We have been truly overwhelmed by the honor and respect.” She noted that although it was a sad day, they were choosing to celebrate what he achieved.

Heath’s sister Kate Ledger ended the family’s acceptance by revealing that she and Heath had hoped he might win an Oscar for his role. “We even talked about being here on this very day. We proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda.”

Obviously the award comes as no surprise, but that isn’t due to Ledger’s tragic death a year ago. He gave an incredible performance as the Joker – easily the highlight of his career. Roger Ebert explained it beautifully, noting that Ledger brought humanity to the demonic character, and elevated him into something more than just a cartoon brought to life.

I expect the late Heath Ledger to win the Oscar for best supporting actor for “The Dark Knight,” but I’m not choosing his performance as the “most elevating” out of sympathy. It was elevating for an entirely separate reason: He transformed the character of the Joker, who we thought we knew so well, into a suffering, haunted being, stripped of all emotion except for ruthless self-pity…

I found I pitied him, was moved by his cry for help. And yes, perhaps I was moved, after all, by the knowledge that this would be Heath Ledger’s last performance. You can’t watch the movie without thinking that. And it is so brave, so exhausting, so giving of self, so willing to give voice to the Joker’s pain, that it reached me deeply.

[From Chicago Sun Times]

Congratulations to Heath, Matilda, and the rest of the Ledger family. I’m certain that if he were alive, he’d still be picking up the award after such a stellar performance.