And The Oscar Goes To…

…Heath Ledger!

It was a tearful and emotional moment not just Heath Ledger’s family but for almost everyone who was at the awards, and definitely for all of us who watched at home.

His father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger accepted the award on Heath’s behalf. Mr. Ledger said the award was “humbling” and said it would have “validated Heath’s quiet determination to be accepted by you all here, his peers”.

The camera panned to so many faces in the audience during the acceptance speech and I don’t think the tears we saw were just delivered on cue this time but it was genuine emotion. Heath’s portrayal of the deranged, psychotic Joker is definitely going down in history as one of the best portrayals of a villain. If only he were here to enjoy his success.

Heath is only the seventh posthumous Oscar nominee and only the second posthumous winner of an Academy Award. The first one was also won by an Australian – Peter Finch in 1976 for his role in Network.

On a different note, Heath wasn’t the only Aussie to do us proud at the Oscars. Hugh Jackman received a standing ovation as host of the 81st Academy Awards. Those who criticized the choice of host this year can eat their words because Hugh definitely kept the audience entertained.

The Americans might just know Hugh as Wolverine but we know him as the The Boy From Oz as well. His song and dance opening act ended with “These are the Oscars! This is my dream! I am a slumdog! I'm the reader, the wrestler. I am Wolverine!" and had the Academy’s brightest stars on their feet, cheering him on.

The 2008 figures for the televised Oscar screenings were the worst ever in its history and probably why the show stepped away from the usual stand-up comedy and gave in to Hugh’s witty and entertaining musical routines.

Congratulations Hugh Jackman and congratulations Heath Ledger. You’ve done Australia proud!

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