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Oscars open with triumph for Cruz Posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger
(20 minutes later)
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has won the first major award of the night at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood. Australian actor Heath Ledger has won a posthumous Oscar for his scene-stealing role as The Joker in Batman film The Dark Knight.
The award for best supporting actor was received by his family on behalf of Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose in 2008.
His father thanked the Academy for "recognising our son's amazing work".
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz became the first major winner of the night at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar- for best supporting actress - as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar- for best supporting actress - as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
"Has anybody ever fainted here. I might be the first one," said Cruz, who was previously nominated in 2007."Has anybody ever fainted here. I might be the first one," said Cruz, who was previously nominated in 2007.
British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.
Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theater, opened with a song medley paying tribute to Slumdog and all the best picture nominees.
Cruz, who becomes the first Spanish actress to win an acting Oscar, dedicated her award "to all the actors from my country".Cruz, who becomes the first Spanish actress to win an acting Oscar, dedicated her award "to all the actors from my country".
"Thank you Woody for trusting me with this beautiful character," she said."Thank you Woody for trusting me with this beautiful character," she said.
Actors Freida Pinto and Dev Patel missed out on acting nominations Cruz received her award from five previous supporting actress winners
British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.
Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theater, opened with a song medley paying tribute to Slumdog and all the best picture nominees.
British screenwriter Simon Beaufoy won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.British screenwriter Simon Beaufoy won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for his work on Slumdog Millionaire.
"There are a few places I never imagined being... the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here," joked Beaufoy, previously best known for writing The Full Monty."There are a few places I never imagined being... the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here," joked Beaufoy, previously best known for writing The Full Monty.
He paid tribute to Vikas Swarup, the author of the novel Q & A on which the film was based, as well as the actors, producer Christian Colson and director Danny Boyle - whom he dubbed "the other two musketeers".He paid tribute to Vikas Swarup, the author of the novel Q & A on which the film was based, as well as the actors, producer Christian Colson and director Danny Boyle - whom he dubbed "the other two musketeers".
The film picked up a second Oscar, for Anthony Dod Mantle, for cinematography.The film picked up a second Oscar, for Anthony Dod Mantle, for cinematography.
The movie, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai, has been named best film by the producers', writers', actors' and directors' guilds in the US.The movie, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai, has been named best film by the producers', writers', actors' and directors' guilds in the US.
Emotional tributeEmotional tribute
Dustin Lance Black won best original screenplay for Milk, and paid emotional tribute to the gay rights activist Harvey Milk.Dustin Lance Black won best original screenplay for Milk, and paid emotional tribute to the gay rights activist Harvey Milk.
"I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope ... one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married.""I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope ... one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married."
As anticipated, the Oscar for best animated feature went to robot comedy Wall-E.As anticipated, the Oscar for best animated feature went to robot comedy Wall-E.
The film, directed by Andrew Stanton, is almost entirely free of dialogue.The film, directed by Andrew Stanton, is almost entirely free of dialogue.
Actor Mickey Rourke is tipped to win for his performance in The Wrestler Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both nominated in the top acting categories
British actress Kate Winslet, nominated for the sixth time, is also expected to triumph on Sunday, winning the best actress Oscar.British actress Kate Winslet, nominated for the sixth time, is also expected to triumph on Sunday, winning the best actress Oscar.
Winslet's strongest competition comes from Meryl Streep, for her role as a nun who suspects sex abuse in Doubt.Winslet's strongest competition comes from Meryl Streep, for her role as a nun who suspects sex abuse in Doubt.
Host Jackman paid tribute to Streep's record 15 nominations, deadpanning "you know what 15 nominations makes me think... steroids!"Host Jackman paid tribute to Streep's record 15 nominations, deadpanning "you know what 15 nominations makes me think... steroids!"
Actor Mickey Rourke is favourite for the best actor gong, following wins at the Baftas, the Golden Globes and Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards.Actor Mickey Rourke is favourite for the best actor gong, following wins at the Baftas, the Golden Globes and Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards.
Sean Penn remains his closest rival for his role as gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the eponymous Milk.Sean Penn remains his closest rival for his role as gay rights activist Harvey Milk in the eponymous Milk.
Nominations recordNominations record
Danny Boyle will battle it out with David Fincher for the best director Oscar, alongside fellow contenders Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry and Gus Van Sant.Danny Boyle will battle it out with David Fincher for the best director Oscar, alongside fellow contenders Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry and Gus Van Sant.
Fincher, best known for Se7en and Fight Club, is nominated for his work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which leads the field with 13 nominations including best picture.Fincher, best known for Se7en and Fight Club, is nominated for his work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which leads the field with 13 nominations including best picture.
The film, which stars Pitt as a man who ages backwards, has had the most box office success - taking $242m (£169m) worldwide - but Academy voters will not necessarily see this as a reason to win.The film, which stars Pitt as a man who ages backwards, has had the most box office success - taking $242m (£169m) worldwide - but Academy voters will not necessarily see this as a reason to win.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both nominated in the top acting categories Actors Freida Pinto and Dev Patel missed out on acting nominations
Other titles in the running for the main prize include The Reader, Milk and Frost/Nixon.Other titles in the running for the main prize include The Reader, Milk and Frost/Nixon.
Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 of an accidental prescription drug overdose, is favoured for best supporting actor after his scene-stealing performance as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight.
Organisers are hoping to claw back the ceremony's TV audience, with a musical turn from Beyonce who joined Jackman performing songs from some of Hollywood's best-loved musicals.Organisers are hoping to claw back the ceremony's TV audience, with a musical turn from Beyonce who joined Jackman performing songs from some of Hollywood's best-loved musicals.
Last year's event watched by just 32m viewers in the US, down from 40m in 2007 and the lowest figure since 1974, when the current ratings system began.Last year's event watched by just 32m viewers in the US, down from 40m in 2007 and the lowest figure since 1974, when the current ratings system began.