Heath Ledger has been given the perfect closing curtain over his stellar career, winning a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance as the Joker in the film The Dark Knight.

The late actor’s win has also been written into the history books, as only the second person in Oscars history to win a posthumous gong. Ironically enough, the only other actor to achieve such a feat was fellow Australian Peter Finch, who won for The Network in 1982.

Ledger’s family – father Kim, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger – accepted the honour on behalf of their son, who passed away from a drug overdose in early 2008.

“This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath’s quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here — his peers within an industry he so loved,” a very emotional Kim Ledger told the crowd.

Sally Bell said that the family was “truly overwhelmed by the honour and respect bestowed on him with [the] award.” She added that her son was a “compassionate and generous soul who had greatly inspired their lives.”

The Brokeback Mountain actor had long been a favourite to win the award, with some punters betting as much as $110, 000 on the near-certainty.

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[WARNING: Image Heavy] The most talked about Oscars in years has just kicked off, with stars from across the globe gracing the red carpet for the 2009 awards ceremony.

This year’s arrivals wore a multitude of fashions, with mermaid-tail dresses, the LBD, and excessive bling the standouts. Actresses Amy Adams, Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz shone particularly bright in their understated gowns.

Amanda Seyfried:

Amy Adams:

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt:

Anne Hathaway:

Evan Rachel Wood:

Freida Pinto:

Heidi Klum & Seal:

Jessica Biel:

Kate Winslet:

Lisa Rinna:

Marisa Tomei:

Melissa George:

Miley Cyrus:

Natalie Portman:

Penelope Cruz:

Vanessa Hudgens & Zac Efron:

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Want to know the winners of this year’s Oscars before they’re even announced? Then follow the jump, for a complete 2009 Oscars winners list that was reportedly ‘leaked’ to the web. I bet someone will be in a lot of trouble over this one…

Actor in a leading role: Mickey Rourke
Actor in a supporting role: Heath Ledger
Actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
Actress in a supporting role: Amy Adams
Animated Feature Film: Wall-E
Art Direction: The Dark Knight
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary feature: Man on Wire
Documentary short: The Conscience of Nhem En
Film editing: Milk
Foreign language film: Departures
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music (Score): Defiance
Music (Song): Down to Earth (Wall-E)
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Short film (animated): Presto
Short film (live action): Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)
Sound editing: Wall-E
Sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adapted screenplay): The Reader
Writing (Original screenplay): In Bruges

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The winner of this year’s Best Actress award may have been leaked before the ceremony actually took place, but the (supposed) little slip-up hasn’t put a damper on the red carpet walk, with the fashion as glitzy and glamourous as ever.

Big names who attended this year’s awards include -

Anne Hathaway:

Cameron Diaz:

Eva Mendes:

Hayden Panettiere:

Kate Beckinsale:

Penelope Cruz:

Renee Zellweger:

Even tainted Disney starlets Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens were on hand with their families.

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The Emmy Awards for 2008 are in full swing, and to celebrate, here’s yet another red carpet mega-post, making the most of the glitz and glamour of the awards.

Christina Applegate:

Debra Messing

Eva Longoria:

Hayden Panettiere:

Jennifer Love Hewitt:

Rose Byrne:

Teri Hatcher:

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Who cares about the winners? The MTV Awards is all about the kooky red carpet fashion and outrageous celebrity behaviour. Find out who showed up and who wore what after the jump.

Songstress and mum Christina Aguilera channeled a superhero or two with her spider web-inspired LBD and feline-like eyes.

Katy Perry proves that kissing girls is just faze, showing up with a date who was very much male.

Pop sensation Rihanna brought a little of her Disturbia flavour to the MTV stage. What’s up that piece of white fluff in her hair, though??

Proving that comebacks are possible, troubled star Britney Spears took to the stage, putting last year’s embarrassing display behind her.

A heavily pregnant Ashlee Simpson added fuel to the “twins” rumour fire.

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Britney Spears will open this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, despite last year’s embarrassing performance, which saw her ridiculed across the globe.

“MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs?” Spears told People.com in a statement. “I’m excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated.”

Fans are already concerned as to how Brit Brit is planning on opening the show – another failed musical number could just ruin her flailing career – however, a source close to the star has confirmed that the opening segment “will not feature” a musical performance by Britney.

MTV’s Music President Van Toffler added: “Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. I can’t wait to see what she does to kick off this year’s show.”

The VMA’s for 2008 will premiere on Sunday at 9 p.m.

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The celebs were out in force at the 2008 Teen Choice Awards, dazzling the red carpet in their sea of brightly-coloured frocks.

To see who was in attendance this year, check out the sea of photographs available after the jump.

Fergie:

Kristen Bell:

Lauren Conrad:

Miley Cyrus:

Rachel Bilson:

Rachel also had a (slightly classier) Britney moment later on in the evening. To view her little oops, click here.

Vanessa Hudgens:

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Despite the raging fires, the stars still managed to step out for the 2008 MTV Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.

Brights and blacks seemed to be the gown choice of the evening, with everyone from Lindsay Lohan to actress Liv Tyler braving the red carpet for this year’s event.

For photos of the red carpet, follow the jump.

Anne Hathaway:

Charlize Theron:

Kristen Stewart:

Lauren Conrad:

Lindsay Lohan:

Liv Tyler:

Megan Fox:

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While red may have been the colour of the evening this year, there was certainly plenty of other fabulous frocks in an array of dazzling shades to keep the fashion-conscious fan occupied on the red carpet.

Cameron Diaz rocked it in a gorgeous hue of baby pink, Jessica Alba showed off her glowing baby bump in a deep eggplant gown, while stars like Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Garner chose classic black to offset their many sparklers. ÂÂ

Cameron Diaz:

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Jessica Alba:      ÂÂ

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Nicole Kidman:

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Jennifer Garner:

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Penelope Cruz:

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