Heath Ledger's father, mother and sister brought the star studded Oscars crowd to their feet and reduced many to tears as they accepted the late actor's Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs 13 months ago, shortly after wrapping his role as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Knight. The deceased star's dad Kim, mom Sandy and sister Kate took his place on stage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday night. And Ledger's win inspired the first standing ovation of the night with a number of stars fighting back tears as his family paid him a touching tribute.

Kim said, "This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be validated in an industry he loved, by you all here, his peers."

Sandy added, "Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul. Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved."

And Ledger's sister Kate revealed the pair had predicted his portrayal of the Joker would earn him an Oscar statuette, adding, "We both knew what you had created in the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day. We wish you were. But we happily accept this award on behalf of your beautiful (daughter) Matilda."

Matilda, Ledger's daughter with ex-fiancée Michelle Williams, will get to keep the award.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)