Monday, 23 February 2009

Hollywood's standing ovation for Heath Ledger - and an Oscar!

Well, Heath did it and, with a warning that this clip may have you tearing up at your work desk, here is the video of the moment when Hollywood got to its feet and saw Kim Ledger, Sally Bell and Kate Ledger celebrate their son's excellence in his craft and his acceptance by his peers.



Kate Ledger: 'Heath, we wish you were here - but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda.' When she is 18, the Academy will present the award to Matilda.



Many congratulations, also, to Kate Winslet and to Sean Penn!

Jake appears to have been absent from the Awards last night, although as I left home this morning, partygoers were still arriving at Vanity Fair.

ETA: Jake and Reese were at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, alongside old friends such as Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz. You can see lots of photos here.


Thanks to IHJ, we do have some more new Jake, albeit tux-less. Here is Jake leaving a business meeting in Brentwood on Friday, 20 February. One can but hope this meeting was in connection with the release of a movie.



Thanks to Sheba for her live Oscar commentary last night!

Pictures from IHJ and Faded Youth Blog.
at

26 comments:

  1. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 09:15

    Morning everyone! What a good day! Thanks so much to everyone for the comments last night and a big thanks to Sheba for her commentary - I left a comment over there. I feel a need to see Jessica Biel's dress...

    And well, what a moment, when Heath's name was read out. It would have been nice to have had icing on the cake with the sight of Jake in a tux, but oh well!

    I'm still smiling :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Zodiac23 February 2009 at 09:15

    there are pictures of Jake and Reese at VF party:)

    Looking good Gyllenhaal!:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. sheba23 February 2009 at 09:30

    Thanks WDW, it was a good night, thoroughly enjoyable party of one but I had you all with me in spirit.

    Thank you MonicaO for your kind words, I'd like to thank my assistants, Mr and Mrs Matchsticks, for keeping me awake last night. A sucker for punishment eh :DD

    Uli, I wish we were together last night too, I was 'high 5ing' the air and so emotional over Heath's win. I can imagine how hard it was for those that were actually there to 'keep it together'. I was so proud of Heath's parents and sister - they were wonderful, understated, not showbizy at all. I hope they party all night.

    Thank you anouska, it was a pleasure... just wish I had a bit more company. Nevermind, next year eh? I'll wear my ball gown :DD

    Yes, I understand Jake and Reese are at the VF party. Looking very young and very good Mr G in your tux. Great that they kept themselves low key.

    Just had to take little man to school so it's back to bed for me. Good morning and have a good day everyone, Heathens, Lashers, Gyllenhaalics... we've been vindicated xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 10:47

    Morning Zodiac! Thanks for the headsup! What a stunner :D

    Hi Sheba! And thanks again for the live streaming last night. I wish I could have seen it - it brought back lots of memories of being in LA last year. Have a good day x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 12:36

    Yes, he did it... And now that I see this and watch the backstage material and the pictures of the Governor's Ball and all the stuff that always surrounds this night.... I am in fact SO sad and even angry that he was not there to collect the award himself.

    Yes, he did it - but he won't know. People claim he would have won if he had been alive, too - but what good is that now? All over again I'm so completely disappointed Heath didn't win for his characterisation of Ennis. Because that should have been his prize, that would have been a true recognition of his amazing talent. This was an open and shut case - the Academy couldn't possibly *not* give him the award.

    I'm happy for Matilda and for Heath's family, because this is something for them to treasure in the many years still to come without him - but somehow I'm left with an incredibly sad feeling.

    ~elfie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 12:40

    OMG, Jake looks so gorgeous and I love seeing him talking to Reese and old friends Penelope, Selma, Anthony and especially Sean!!

    And I love the new look of his even in the pics when he is doing errands.

    The tribute to Heath from his family after he won (!) was heartbreaking and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Uli23 February 2009 at 13:08

    Oh, I am so with you ~elfie... :(
    I am happy that he won, would have been shocked if he hadn't... But he definitely should have won 3 years ago!!! And he should have been there last night to collect his award :(
    I am also sad, cause now there is again one thing less to look forward to, when it comes to Heath... All the excitement about which awards he would win... Now there is only The Imaginerium of Dr Parnassus left... And after that? Only our memories. Wonderful memories, no doubt about that, but still... Ach, Heath! Miss you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Uli23 February 2009 at 13:10

    But damn, Jake is looking goooooooood in those shots from the VF party... Holy shit! Need to drool over them properly when I come home tonight...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 13:22

    Hi there elfie :) I don' think any of all this has sunk in for me yet - I've not had the chance to sit quietly and look at everything from last night. I know when I saw the video this morning of Heath being names, I was very upset even though at work. But what makes it so odd is that I am happy too, and I am proud. Heath should have been there - he should have been enjoying the parties and catching up with old friends, as Jake was doing.

    Hey Get Real! Oh I love seeing Jake with Penelope, Salma and Sean especially! I've not had a chance to look at them yet properly - I've added a pic to the post though.

    Hi Uli :) One of my main feelings about the Oscars has been that this is it - this is the end. That there won't be anything new - I know we have the Imaginarium but TDK was so special. But I'm trying to be happy for Heath's proud family.

    Jake looks hot :) My mind is not on work, it's several thousand miles away. I just want to get home and catch up!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 13:56

    "Oh I love seeing Jake with Penelope, Salma and Sean especially!"

    but not Reese it seems.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 13:58

    Yawn...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Monica23 February 2009 at 14:19

    Good morning, wet dark!
    I'm so happy for the victory of Heath!
    Heath deserves deserves deserves

    Jake is so young and beautiful!:D

    In my opinion, this Oscar was the worst of all time.
    I did not like the musical numbers. Very exaggerated.
    The best of the night were the victories of Penelope, Heath, Kate and Sean Penn.
    Funny moment: Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 14:23

    Hi Monica! I must see some of these song and dance numbers! And Ben Stiller :D I loved Milk and I'm really happy Sean Penn won. I don't fancy Penelope's film but I've been a fan of hers for ages. I am so happy for Heath's family - they must be full of pride.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Xenia23 February 2009 at 14:38

    Yawn...

    Double Yawn...

    Thanks Sheba and WDW for the coverage, you girls are amazing.*)

    I'm happy Heath won because, even if some of us could think, and I totally understand, that it'd have been far better for Heath to receive aknowledgement for his work while he was alive, still it'd have been unbelievably sad for us all, his family, his friends, his fans, if he'd have been not rewarded, not even this time that is likely the last chance to bow to the artist and the man.

    That having been said, Jake has never been more beautiful than in these pics.
    God, he's radiant...
    Hope the next time we will see him it'll be because of a nomination though. Or because he's presenting, that would be funny. :)

    Have a good day everyone. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 14:51

    Hey Xenia! I just can't even imagine what it would've been like had Heath not won - again! When, as you say, this is Hollywood's last chance to honour him. Wouldn't it be great if Jake hosted!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 15:00

    Wasn't Heath's win just so wonderful? And very dignified. It all hasn't sunk in for me yet either, but I have to say I feel a sense of satisfaction, or relief, I can't describe it. I gave it all my 100% concentration last night, so I couldn't blog. But it feels wonderful. :)

    Nice to see Jake enjoying HW's party of parties, celebrating fellow actors and their achievements.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 15:09

    Hi Shy Anon! I know just what you mean. I really need to get home and digest it all and just see as much of it as I can. It is good to see Jake out and about in a tux :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. paulh23 February 2009 at 15:16

    How could Heath not have won last night? Who else was in his league?
    Seriously!

    But I still was nervous that the Academy might make a big mistake. They've made mistake sbefore, and will do so again.

    But I love the idea of Matilda
    iheriting her daddy's Oscar when she turns 18. I have this fantasy that by then she'll be well on her way to having anm Oscar of her own. :-)

    I'm happy that Jake didn't overshadow Heath's triumph in any way. This was Heath's night, a time to think about the glorious things he could have done in the future, and for gratitude that his penultimate (next to last) performance was one for the ages.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 15:24

    Thanks so much for the clip from the press conference. They are brave and poised and I thought it was so poignant that Kim said how much it would've meant to Heath to be acknowledged by his peers like this. There were no dry eyes in that auditorium last night. Just from his comments in those last interviews, Heath was very excited about his Joker.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 15:43

    Hi Paul! I was very nervous about a 'mistake' too, we certainly know they make them. And I agree with you about Jake wanting to leave all the attention on Heath.

    Thanks, Anon :) I'm so glad you liked the clip. Just so emotional for everyone. And the expressions on the faces in the auditorium...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 17:57

    Well, it was even harder to watch than I expected...I'm so proud and so happy for Heath but since last night what I feel most is an overwhelming grief. All I could think of while watching the presenter doing his nomination is Heath should be there, sitting in that first row trying like hell not to fidget and looking embarrassed. I know he would have hated that part of the ceremony but still...And I admire his family so much. How could they be so calm up there? It must have been so hard, I was a wreck just sitting in my living room! They showed so much class since Heath's death, I'm sure he's proud of them, wherever he is.

    And Jake can wear a tux like nobody else but last night he looked a little too young for my taste. He needs just a touch of stubble and a little bit more hair.

    Olympia

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 18:30

    Is it too late to add my ywan? :)

    I'm happy for Heath!!! I watched a but of the live from red carpet last night on E! But it's rather boring. Good that sean Penn won as well. He's perfect in Milk.

    Jake looks gorgeous,i will check out those pics later on.

    Now u have to unpack!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 19:15

    I agree, Jake's looking a bit too young now for my taste - miss the stubble too, the facial hair always makes him look more sophisticated and mature, as does a bit longer hair, and don't like the brows groomed so much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous23 February 2009 at 19:21

    Ok Australia's Post Office time to add Heath to the set of stamps of Oscar winners! ( I would TOTALLY order a set!)

    Oh Heath you done good, son! And to the Ledger family you honoured your son with dignity and grace, he couldn't have asked for anything more!

    Time to move some of your stuffed animals over a bit, Matilda! Your going to have a whole shelf of awards to show off to your friends!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 19:30

    Olympia, you put that so perfectly - the image of seeing Heath realising he'd won the award would have been so precious - not a photo in the corner of the screen. Jake looks great at the moment (well, he always looks great) but I like a little stubble too. All these different Jakes according to whether he shaves or cuts his hair!

    Hi Winterbird! I hope you had a lovely break :D I was so pleased for Sean Penn. I'm not a fan of his but I absolutely loved Milk. Sean deserved that award. So have you unpacked yet?

    Hey Anon! Oh, those perfect brows have been getting a little attention! I like them untouched myself. Thanks for commenting!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wet Dark and Wild23 February 2009 at 19:32

    Ooh Amy - posting at the same time! Great comment, thanks for that. I love the thought of Matilda with the Oscar. What a legacy for her.

    ReplyDelete