Joaquin Phoenix paid tribute to the late Heath Ledger when accepting his trophy at the SAG Awards earlier today, recalling the actor who once made an indelible impression in the role of the Joker.
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“I’m standing here on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger, so, thank you,” said the actor, after his portrayal of Arthur Fleck won him the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Joaquin Phoenix paid tribute to the late Heath Ledger during his acceptance speech for his role as the Joker. #sagawards pic.twitter.com/A5iYDEclWH
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 20, 2020
Heath Ledger played the iconic character in the 2008 film The Dark Knight – the film was released in July of that year, six months after his death of an accidental overdose. He was praised by critics for his “mesmerising” performance.
Sometimes, we feel like we’re up against Leo too, Joaquin. We feel for you. #sagawards pic.twitter.com/KoWRLKIFtD
— SAG Awards® (@SAGawards) January 20, 2020
Elsewhere in his speech, Joaquin Phoenix recalled a time when he would always lose roles to his fellow actor Leonardo di Caprio, saying:
“When I started acting again and going to auditions, I’d get to the final callback and … [I’d] always lose to this one kid, no actor would ever say his name because it was too much. You have been an inspiration for over 25 years to me and so many people.”
The full list of SAG Awards winners for 2020 is:
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Joaquin Phoenix – Joker
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Renée Zellweger – Judy
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Laura Dern – Marriage Story
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture – Parasite
- Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture – Avengers: Endgame
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries – Sam Rockwell – Fosse/Verdon
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries – Michelle Williams – Fosse/Verdon
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series – Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series – Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series – Tony Shalhoub – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series – Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series –The Crown
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series –Game Of Thrones
