Penelope Cruz wins best supporting actress

Penelope Cruz became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award here Sunday, picking up the best supporting Oscar trophy for her performance in the Woody Allen comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, while late Australian actor Heath Ledger won a rare posthumous Oscar for his performance as the Joker in Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight”.

The win for 34-year-old Cruz came two years after her best actress nomination in 2007 for “Volver”.”Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I might be the first one,” an overwhelmed Cruz said as she accepted her award.

“Thank you so much to the academy. I want to share this with my fellow nominees. And with the amazing ensemble of actors that I had the privilege to work with in this movie. Thank you for trusting me with this beautiful character.”

Other nominees included Viola Davis for “Doubt”, Marisa Tomei for “the Wrestler”, Taraji P Henson for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and Amy Adams for “Doubt”.

Accepting the best supporting actor prize on behalf of Ledger who died in January last year of a drug overdose aged 28, was the actor’s father, Kim, his mother, Sally Ledger Bell and his sister, Kate, who dedicated the golden statuette to his young daughter, Matilda.

“Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul who added so much excitement and inspiration to our lives. We have been truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect being bestowed upon him with this award,” his mother said.

Ledger’s sister, Kate Ledger, added: “Heath, 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 really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda.”

Ledger became only the second performer in history to be awarded an Oscar posthumously, emulating compatriot Peter Finch, who won for “Network” in 1976. He had already won a string of major awards this year for his superb portrayal of Batman’s arch-enemy, helping “The Dark Knight” become the second-highest grossing film in US history.

Other nominees included Josh Brolin for “Milk”, Philip Seymour Hoffman for “Doubt”, Robert Downey Jr for “Tropic Thunder” and Michael Shannon for “Revolutionary Road”.