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Posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger Posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger
(10 minutes later)
Australian actor Heath Ledger has won a posthumous Oscar, for best supporting actor, for his scene-stealing role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.Australian actor Heath Ledger has won a posthumous Oscar, for best supporting actor, for his scene-stealing role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
His family received the award on behalf of Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose in New York in January 2008.His family received the award on behalf of Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose in New York in January 2008.
"We have been truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect being bestowed upon him with this award," his mother said."We have been truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect being bestowed upon him with this award," his mother said.
Ledger becomes the second performer to win a posthumous Oscar, following Peter Finch's win for Network in 1977.Ledger becomes the second performer to win a posthumous Oscar, following Peter Finch's win for Network in 1977.
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz became the first major winner of the night, winning best supporting actress, at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood.Spanish actress Penelope Cruz became the first major winner of the night, winning best supporting actress, at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar for her performance as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.The 34-year-old star won her first Oscar for her performance 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.
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.
Opening medley Cruz received her award from five previous supporting actress winnersOpening medley Cruz received her award from five previous supporting actress winners
Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theater, opened with a song medley paying tribute to the five best picture nominees.Australian star Hugh Jackman, who is hosting the awards at the Kodak Theater, opened with a song medley paying tribute to the five best picture nominees.
British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.British film Slumdog Millionaire, from director Danny Boyle, is tipped to win the evening's top prize, best picture.
It has already picked up five Oscars, for best adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound mixing, film editing and best original score. It has already picked up six Oscars, for best adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound mixing, film editing, best original score and best song.
"There are a few places I never imagined being... the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here," joked British screenwriter Simon 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 British screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, previously best known for writing The Full Monty.
He paid tribute to Vikas Swarup, the author of the novel 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 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".
Indian composer AR Rahman, who received two Oscars - for best song and best score - praised the film's themes of hope and optimism.
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.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both nominated in the top acting categoriesAngelina 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.
Actors Freida Pinto and Dev Patel missed out on acting nominationsActors 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.
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.
Comedian Jerry Lewis received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which recognises humanitarian efforts.Comedian Jerry Lewis received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which recognises humanitarian efforts.
"This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from, and those it will benefit," said 82-year-old star."This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from, and those it will benefit," said 82-year-old star.
The Nutty Professor star has raised over $2 billion (£1.3bn) for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through his annual Labor Day telethon.The Nutty Professor star has raised over $2 billion (£1.3bn) for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through his annual Labor Day telethon.