Heath Ledger’s Family Arrives In LA; Headed To Oscars
1/4
-
WireImage
Heath Ledger at the Venice Film Festival (Sept. 2007)
-
Getty Images
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams at the 2007 Independent Spirit Awards
-
Getty Images
Heath Ledger’s father, Kim, at a press conference on the one-year anniversary on Heath’s death
-
Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker
hottest galleries
-
The Latest Star Sightings
Access the day’s hottest photos!
-
Isn’t It Bromantic? Hollywood’s Top 10 Bromances!
Find out which Hollywood bros will be friends ‘til the end…
-
Brad! Demi! Robert! Paris! Hot Shots Of The Stars In Shades
Check out the stars as they step out across the world in their favorite pair of sunglasses!
FIRST PUBLISHED: February 18, 2009 4:04 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: February 18, 2009 4:35 PM EST
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
The family of the late Heath Ledger arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday, four days before the Academy Awards on Sunday.
According to The Australian newspaper, Heath’s parents – Kim and Sally, and his sister, Kate — were among the family members who landed at LAX and spoke with reporters.
The family will be attending the Oscars this weekend.
“They’re very excited, they are actually quite relaxed. It’s been such a difficult last 12 months for them,” a rep for the Ledger family told the newspaper. “But they are in a position [where] they feel like they can relax now and enjoy his talent and the accolades he has enjoyed.”
Kim and Kate will wear Giorgio Armani on the red carpet after the fashion house offered to dress them for the event, the Ledger rep told The Australian.
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, it was announced that Heath’s 3-year-old daughter, Matilda, would be the recipient of the Oscar should Heath win the award for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as The Joker in “The Dark Knight.”
However, Matilda (who Heath had in 2005 with actress Michelle Williams) won’t be given legal possession of the statue until October 28, 2023 – the day she turns 18.
Until that time, her mother Michelle will technically be the award’s legal custodian.
Other supporting-actor nominees include Josh Brolin, “Milk”; Robert Downey Jr., “Tropic Thunder”; Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”; Michael Shannon, “Revolutionary Road.
Heath has already won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for the role, with “Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan and co-star Gary Oldman accepting the awards on his behalf, respectively.
No word yet who will be on stage to accept the Oscar on Heath’s behalf if he wins.
Heath died on January 22, 2008, of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was 28.
Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter now!
-
Lady Gaga gets fierce at the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in LA on November 22, 2009
-
Janet Jackson kicks things off with a medley at the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in LA on November 22, 2009
-
Dr. Conrad Murray
-
Kate Gosselin, Jon Gosselin
-
Tom Cruise waves to photographers when arriving at the Salzburg airport in Austria
-
The cast and director of ‘The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus,’ Heath Ledger inset
-
Heath Ledger at New York's Fashion Week, September 10, 2007
-
People walk past an Oscar statue in front of the Kodak Theatre as preparations continue for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, on February 20, 2009. The Oscar ceremony will take place at the Kodak Theatre on February 22
-
A scene from Pixar’s ‘Up’
-
Lauren Bacall is honored with an Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Inaugural Governors Awards in LA on November 14, 2009
related videos
-
SAG Awards 2009: Gary Oldman Explains Why He Accepted Heath Ledger’s SAG Award
Before the SAG Awards ceremony, Gary tells Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell that Heath’s family had an arrangement with Gary in case the actor was to be awarded by his peers.
-
Preview: Heath Ledger In ‘The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus’
In this clip from “The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus,” Tony’s (Heath Ledger) attempts to seduce Valentina are foiled when her father, Dr. Parnassus, bursts into the room. The film bursts into theaters December 2009!
-
Terry Gilliam Talks ‘The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus’
Director Terry Gilliam sits down with Access to talk about working with the late Heath Ledger on “Parnassus,” how he found out about Heath’s death and the process of calling upon Heath’s closest friends to help finish the film.
-
Trailer: ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’
In a magical feat of filmmaking, Terry Gilliam asked Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to take over Heath Ledger’s final role in order to finish the film. And the final product is a visually stunning feast for the eyes.
-
Preview: Johnny, Jude & Colin Step In For Heath Ledger In ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’
When Heath Ledger passed away during the filming of “Parnassus,” three of Heath’s famous friends stepped in to help finish the film. Check out these clips of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as different transformations of the same character.
-
John Cho On ‘Star Trek’ Oscar Campaign & ‘Sexiest Leading Man’ Award
At the DVD launch party for “Star Trek,” John Cho (Sulu) toys with the idea of starting an Oscar campaign for “Star Trek.” Plus, whom does he nominate for a “Sexiest Leading Man” award? And, does he dish on sequel rumors?
-
Ricky Gervais: Hosting The Oscars Is ‘A Thankless Task’
At the 2009 Toronto Film Festival, Access asked Ricky Gervais if he would ever want to host the Oscars. Listen to his surprising answer, and find out why he thinks his humor is a dish best served in “small doses?”
-
Weekend Radar: November 21, 2009
Leighton Meester performs at the grand opening of the American Eagle Outfitters in NYC. Plus, a look at Michael Bay’s Victoria’s Secret commercial. And we catch up with “New Moon’s” Anna Kendrick at the Love Unites marriage equality project
-
MovieMantz Review: ‘New Moon’ & ‘The Blind Side’
Access’ Scott “Movie” Mantz calls “New Moon” flawed, cheesy and slow paced - but should he even be reviewing this movie? And, find out why Scott is calling Sandra Bullock’s new movie, “The Blind Side,” terrific!
-
‘New Moon’ Premiere, New York (Part II)
Kellan Lutz reacts to being named one of People magazine’s sexiest vampires. " Plus, Ashley Green, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser and Nikki Reed talk about how much their lives have changed thanks to “The Twilight Saga.”
related galleries
A Look Back At The Life Of Heath Ledger
Remembering late actor Heath Ledger — from ‘Dark Knight’ to ‘10 Things I Hate About You’
2009 Academy Award Nominees
Who has a chance at Oscar gold? Find out inside!
The Ten Most Memorable Oscar Speeches
