It has been 11 years since actor Heath Ledger's death but his legacy as the most celebrated Joker of the Batman series continues. People still remember the actor for his fine acting chops not just in The Dark Knight but various of his other films. Ledger breathed his last in January 2008, as he died of accidental overdose. However, his performance as the madcap Joker in the Christian Bale starrer was so gritty that the Academy Awards honoured the actor by awarding him posthumously.

Previous Academy award winner, Kevin Kline did the honours to introduce Ledger in the Best Supporting Role category as he stated, "With this performance...Heath Ledger has left us an original and enduring legacy." The other actors nominated in this category were Josh Brolin for Milk, Robert Downey Jr for Tropic Thunder, Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road and Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt. The award was accepted by Heath's family, father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger.

As they dictated their acceptance towards the honour bestowed by the Oscar, Kim said, "Firstly, we would like to thank the Academy for recognizing our son's amazing work," Kim began. "This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here, his peers within an industry he so loved." Sally also took to the podium and added, "Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives," she said. "We have been truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect being bestowed upon him with this award. Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved."

Sister Kate concluded the speech by adding, "Heath, we both knew what you had created in the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day. "We really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful [daughter], Matilda. Thank you."

In an old interview following Ledger's death and him winning a posthumous Oscar for his performance as Joker in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, father Kim Ledger told Hollywood Reporter, "Bittersweet is probably the best way I can describe that night." He further spoke about how "It was only a year and a month since his passing. We hadn't got our heads around the tragedy of losing him, but at the same time, he was receiving such accolades for what he knew was his best work."

Currently, the Oscar trophy has been safely kept in the Western Australian Museum in Perth and will be handed over to Heath's daughter Matilda. Kim stated, "Michelle is aware the Oscar remains secured with the museum. At the end of the day, everything is there for Matilda, and when she can take possession of it, it's all hers."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2019 12:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).