Heath Ledger's Family Celebrates Oscar Nod In LA

LOS ANGELES — A dozen members of Heath Ledger's family have come to Hollywood, and though it's still not known whether any of them will accept an Oscar on his behalf, they're already celebrating the late actor's legacy.

The twelve _ Ledger's parents, stepparents, siblings and cousins _ were guests of honor at a party thrown by Australians in Film to recognize Aussie Oscar nominees and introduce the inaugural recipient of the Heath Ledger scholarship Thursday night at the Chateau Marmont.

Family members quietly greeted guests as they sipped sparkling wine in a corner, declining to talk to the press.

Scholarship winner Oliver Ackland, who cites Ledger among his role models, was humbled by the honor.

"The fact that it is in his name means the world," said the 29-year-old actor. "I admired Heath and I admired the work that he chose, the path he created for himself. It shows a lot of integrity on his behalf ... not just the choices he made but the way he went about it, in front of the camera and otherwise."

Ackland said was particularly nervous to meet Ledger's family Thursday.

"I think they could tell I was a bit nervous," Ackland said. "They just said, 'You'll be fine. Just be yourself.'"

Ackland shared e-mail addresses and a warm exchange with Ledger's sister Sally.

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"She gave me a big hug and was just supportive," he said.

Australians in Film announced its Heath Ledger scholarship in June. Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams, mother of Ledger's daughter, Matilda, are among the benefactors.

Ledger died of an accidental prescription-drug overdose last year at age 28. He is the front-running nominee for the supporting actor Oscar for his role as the diabolical Joker in the Batman flick "The Dark Knight."

Other Australian nominees honored Thursday included Kirk Baxter, editor of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Catherine Martin, costume designer for "Australia," Lee Smith, editor of "The Dark Knight" and Ben Snow, visual effects for "Iron Man."

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On the Net:

http://www.australiansinfilm.org

Comments

[lilkunta]

This si good, but y is that it takes a death for scholarships 2 be made? Y didnt the "Aussies in Film" create a group or endowment b4 to help aspring & rising Aussie stars?

[bazokbros]

Probably the same mindset in which Hollywood romanticizes being devastatingly poor as a virtue of character as in "Slumdog Millionair­e."

[kurtlockwood]

It's amazing how sad I can feel over the loss of somebody I never met or knew. I've admired Heath Ledger's work in film after film and his loss is the loss of a tremendous talent. I feel kinda like what I felt like when Kurt Cobain died. What great performances will we never see now that Heath would've given us had he lived. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family and I hope they get to take back home to Australia Heath's well-deserved oscar for his brilliant performance as The Joker. R.I.P., Heath.

[Eileen DeWane]

I saw "The Dark Knight " last summer and Heath was very good in it. I recently saw "Brokeback Mountain" (twice) and he should have gotten the Oscar for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar. His performance was the most powerful and moving that I have seen in a long time. It was a hauntingly mesmerizing performance that has stayed in my psyche since I saw the film. I'm straight, but his portrayal transcended sexual identity. He definitely deserved an Oscar for it, so if he gets it for "The Dark Knight," I will consider it a belated award for his talent and ability.

[ahoyhoy]

I agree about "Brokeback Mountain." That last scene, with Heath alone in the trailer, absolutely broke my heart. Compare how low-key and internally troubled he was as Ennis, than compare that to his Joker performance. Heath consistently suspended disbelief; you easily forgot it was him playing a character.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman beat him for the lead actor Oscar, for "Capote." PSH is nominated in Heath's category this year, too. If, by some random chance, Hoffman wins over Heath again this year, I would love to see him give the Oscar statue to Heath's parents, for Matilda.
I know, I'm a weirdo.

[bazokbros]

I'll make another comment, I think it's in poor taste that Heath Ledger's family is getting the Hollywood VIP treatment because of his death from a drug overdose. Look at all the other families that lose a loved one to drug addiction and do they get to go on E.T and Extra and have lunch with some of the most famous people in Hollywood? No they just pick up the pieces of what's left and try to make sense of the senseless.

[Cloball]

That's because Heath was an actor. It's always going to be different. for his family.

Us normal folks receive just as much love and support from our friends and family, and even co-workers, when we lose someone, its just not in the press and there are no cameras around.

Doesn't make is less does it? We all manage to get by without the media just fine.

[MNTom]

Your hated for Heath is showing again. They are getting this treatment out of respect. Something I don't think you anything about.

[bazokbros]

I don't hate Heath. I hate that his death is being glossed over as a tragic accident but people are refusing to accept he died a drug addict. The likelyhood he was high as a kite shooting "Dark Knight" is very probable. In no way should that be celebrated or rewarded. There seems to be a level of romance and lore about his death. Watch one of the silly E True Hollywood Stories about his life, and the constant theme was he was battling demons. That is very typical of a drug addict. That's just a fact no matter how you want to spin it.

[jamesspada]

Oh please, Bozakos. He wasn't a drug addict, he just took too many prescription drugs at one time. And even if he were a drug addict, what has that got to do with what actor gave the best performamce in a supporting role? It is undeniably he.

[bazokbros]

He was a drug addict. When he died it wasn't a one time thing he did and had a history of being a drug addict. You should read more about his life before you decide it was a tragic one time accident.

[sclucie]

So you want to rule out most jazz muscians, alcoholic writers (honey, where do we commence: capote, faulkner, hammett, fitzgerald, parker, hemingway), most rock and role musicians, and a large compenent of actors? separate the work from the substance.

[bazokbros]

So I shouldn't care that impressionable people see Amy Winehouse who is a drug addict get 5 Grammy Awards, appear at shows wasted and gets to perform at some of the most prestigeous music venues because the overriding thing is she is talented?

[sclucie]

An accidental overdose is a long ways from a woman who celebrates who addiction and wins awards for refusing treatment.

[bazokbros]

By coincidence I'm watching 'Sober House" on VH1 and I've heard something rather profound from one of the cast members. "You are more celebrated if you die from drug addiction than if you live and become sober." Heath Ledger is being rewarded for his drug addiction and as long as he is treated as this "James Dean" type tragic hero, the message I interpret is "If you die glamorous enough, like admist the Academy Award season, then you are a tragic hero and we should celebrate what you did, regardless if you were high while creating your art."

[sclucie]

No he is being acknowledged for some breathtaing performances, including breakback mountain and candy.

[sclucie]

whoops. brokeback. that last scene is one of the most memorable in film history. it's the silences that make a performance - not the breakout songs.

[MNTom]

I hope Heath gets it.

[OnTheCusp]

Everyone does. Except the other nominees..­...

[dst1]

I think the other nominees want him to win aswell. Would you want an Oscar on the mantel that you knew belonged to some dead guy?? I wouldn't!!