Lights, camera, and action! It does take a village to make a movie. We walk down memory lane as we move closer to the 95th Academy Awards. Today we remember those practitioners of cinematic craft who are no longer with us. We will discuss the winners of the Posthumous Oscar, an honor bestowed upon the nominee who left us too soon. Peter Finch and Heath Ledger are the only two actors to have won this honor.
With the Oscars only a few days away, we remember these artists who left an indelible impression on us. Over the years, there have been Posthumous nominees in different categories. However, there have only been a couple of times when an actor was given the Posthumous Oscar. Keep reading to learn more about Peter Finch and Heath Ledger.
Related: Who Holds The Record For Most Oscar Wins?
Peter Finch Won The Posthumous Oscar For ‘Network’ (1974)
The honor of being awarded the prestigious Posthumous Oscar belongs to Peter Finch. Born in 1916, this English-Australian actor became famous with Fred Zinneman’s directed ‘The Nun’s Story.’
His career received a second life with ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday,’ a film that won him a BAFTA and a Best Actor Oscar nomination. But the most memorable moment of his career was yet to come. Peter Finch played Howard Beale, a disgruntled and disillusioned television commentator in Sidney Lumet’s ‘Network.’
His scene-stealing “I’m mad as hell” monologue won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack and couldn’t personally collect his Academy Award.
In Case You Missed: Top 10 Films You Didn’t Know Won Oscars
Heath Ledger Won The Second Posthumous Oscar for ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
The only other actor to have won a posthumous Oscar is Heath Ledger. The Australian-born actor started with small television parts in ‘Clowning Around‘ and ‘Ship To Shore.’ His breakout moment was the teen romantic comedy ’10 Things I Hate About You‘.
With films like ‘Monster’s Ball,’ ‘A Knight’s Tale,’ ‘Cassanova,’ ‘The Brothers Grimm,’ ‘Lords of Dogtown,’ ‘Candy,’ and ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ Heath Ledger cemented his status as the best working young actor. Christopher Nolan cast him as the anarchist antagonist Joker in ‘The Dark Knight.’
There was a massive uproar at his casting. The fan base was enraged with what seemed like the most unconventional casting choice for an iconic role. But Heath’s transformative and deliciously evil clown prince made people realize they had their foot in the mouth all this time.
Unfortunately, Heath Ledger died in January 2008. It is believed that the reason for his death was cited to an accidental overdose of medications. For playing Joker, he went on to win Best Supporting Actor posthumously.
Heath Ledger also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. When Joaquin Phoenix won his Oscar for ‘Joker,’ he dedicated his performance and the award to Heath Ledger’s memory.
You Might Also Like To Read: Who Is The Oldest Actor To Win An Academy Award?
