The filmmaker recalled accepting Ledger’s Best Supporting Actor prize for The Dark Knight: “That was complicated and challenging for me”
Christopher Nolan won his first Golden Globe on Sunday night — Best Director for Oppenheimer — though, as he noted in his poignant acceptance speech, this technically wasn’t the first time he’d accepted one of the prizes. The first time was back in 2009 when Nolan accepted Heath Ledger’s posthumous Best Supporting Actor trophy for his performance in The Dark Knight.
“The only time I’ve ever been on this stage before was accepting one of these on behalf of our dear friend, Heath Ledger,” Nolan said. “That was complicated and challenging for me.”
Nolan remembered looking into the crowd that night and catching the eye of Robert Downey Jr., who gave him “a look of love and support — the same look he’s giving me now.” (Downey Jr. didn’t appear in The Dark Knight but did star in Oppenheimer and won the same prize Ledger did, Best Supporting Actor, earlier in the night.)
Of his own Golden Globe victory, Nolan said, “I thought it’d be simpler accepting for myself. But as a director, of course, as I stand here, I suddenly realize I can only accept this on behalf of people. As directors, we bring people together, and we try and get them to give their best.”
Ledger died on Jan. 22, 2008 of an accidental overdose. The Dark Knight, which was released later that year, marked Ledger’s penultimate film appearance, and the actor earned wide acclaim for his portrayal of the infamous Batman villain, the Joker. Along with winning a posthumous Golden Globe, Ledger was also honored with an Academy Award for his performance.
