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Heath Ledger earns Oscar as Joker in 'Dark Knight'

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-23 11:28

LOS ANGELES – Heath Ledger has won the supporting-actor Academy Award for his demented take on Batman villain the Joker in "The Dark Knight," becoming only the second performer to win an Oscar posthumously.

The Family of the late actor Heath Ledger, from left, Ines Ledger, Kate Ledger, and Kim Ledger arrive at the 81st Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. [Agencies]

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Ledger's triumph comes 13 months after his death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on Oscar nominations day last year.

His Oscar was accepted by his parents and sister.

Ledger joins 1976 best-actor winner Peter Finch of "Network" as the only other performer to win an Oscar after his death.

Heath Ledger has won the supporting-actor Academy Award for his demented take on Batman villain the Joker in "The Dark Knight," becoming only the second performer to win an Oscar posthumously.

Ledger's triumph comes 13 months after his death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on Oscar nominations day last year.

His Oscar was accepted by his parents and sister.

Ledger joins 1976 best-actor winner Peter Finch of "Network" as the only other performer to win an Oscar after his death.