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Heath Ledger receives Oscar nomination one year after his passing

by Robert Sutherland | January 22, 2009 at 01:21 pm

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The late Australian actor Heath Ledger received the highest honor an actor can receive earlier today — he was nominated for an Academy Award. The headlines one year ago were shocking and the speculation was rampant, but now, one year later to the day, the headlines about the Australian actor are back, this time with no shock.

January 22nd 2008

According to multiple reports, actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment this afternoon.

our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. (EST)," his father, Kim, read while accompanied by mother Sally and Ledger's sister, Katie.

January 22nd 2009

with his Golden Globe-winning and Oscar nominated turn as The Joker this year, it's only more evident just how big a talent was lost on that day.

comic book fans (and movie fans in general) across the globe celebrated Heath Ledger's inevitable — and well-deserved — Best Supporting Actor nomination for "The Dark Knight,"

The story of his death from a year ago has been well covered and we all know what happened, so this article is not meant to bring that back up; it is meant to rise remembrance of a truly talented actor from down under.

Ledger first caught the eye of fans in North America in the teen romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999. I saw it (don't hate, I'm only 23) and it wasn't that bad for a 90's teen romantic comedy. It not only launched the career of Ledger, but it also started the acting career of Julia Stiles.

Then came a busy start to the new century, The Patriot, A Knight's Tale, Monster's Ball, Four Feathers, Ned Kelly and The Order all came out between 2000 and 2003. The next two years only saw two forgettable films The Brothers Grimm and Lords of Dogtown. Then came the role that cemented him as a bona fide heavyweight in Hollywood. The role of cowboy Ennis Del Mar.

Ledger stands revealed as an actor of breath-taking gifts.

But it's Heath Ledger's performance as Ennis — a man so beaten down by loneliness and poverty that he can barely speak, or raise his eyes from the ground to attempt a conversation — that raises "Brokeback Mountain" to the level of tragedy.

Brokeback Mountai also earned Ledger an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. That year he was also nominated for the Golden Globe for the Best Actor in a Drama. This year his portrayal of The Joker in the Dark Knight film got him the double nomination for Supporting Actor. He previously got a double nod and lost both, this time he has the double nod and won one? (Give me a moment to knock on some wood) Maybe he can win them both this year.

Here is a list of his awards. (* denotes a nomination only)

Two Hands - Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role*
10 Things I Hate About You - MTV Movie Awards (Best Musical Sequence)*
A Knight's Tale - MTV Movie Awards (Best Kiss, Best Musical Sequence)*
Ned Kelly - Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role*
Brokeback Mountain -

Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actor
Australian Film Institute Awards - Reader's Choice Best Actor
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor
Academy Award for Best Actor*
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama*
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role*
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role*
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture*
MTV Movie Awards (Best Kiss)

Candy-

Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role*
Inside Film Awards (Best Actor)*
Film Critics Circle Award (Best Actor)*

I'm Not There -2007 Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award with cast and crew
The Dark Knight -

Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actor
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
GQ Australia Men of the Year Awards (Best Actor)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Scream Awards (Best Actor in a Fantasy Movie or TV Show, Best Villain, Best Line)
Scream Awards Most Memorable Mutilation*
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

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Robert Sutherland

at 13:23 on January 22nd, 2009

Forgot to mention, its a guilty pleasure, but aside from Dark Knight my favorite Heath Ledger movie was A Knight's Tale

Amy Judd

at 13:54 on January 22nd, 2009

I can't believe it's been a year already - I still remember seeing the first reports of it on CNN and not really believing it.

It's sad that he never got nominated for an Oscar while he was still alive.

Helena Loch (not verified)

at 14:05 on January 22nd, 2009

i needed a time to start to believe when my sister told me. its just too sad.

Jordan Yerman

at 18:39 on February 8th, 2009

Ledger won the Supporting Actor award at the BAFTAs, which may be a preview for the Oscars. Personally, I'd like to see him win because of the performance itself, which I absolutely loved.