In 2009, Chris Nolan accepted the Golden Globe from Heath Ledger: “He will never be forgotten”

The director spoke of his powerful speech last night, receiving an award during this prestigious ceremony.

This night, receiving the Golden Globe for Best Director For Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan had a moving thought for Heath Ledger, who won the trophy for best supporting actor in 2009, posthumously. The actor, who died at just 28 years old just before the release of The Dark Knight, had amazed everyone as Joker – he was also honored with an Oscar for this role. Fifteen years later, the filmmaker had a moving thought for the actor who died prematurely.

“Thank you Golden Globes, reacted Christopher Nolan during the 2024 ceremony. The only time I have previously stood on this stage was to honor our dear friend Heath Ledger. It was complicated for me. In the middle of the speech, I caught Robert Downey Jr.’s look of love and support, and I still see it today. I thought accepting this award for myself would be easier, but as a director, I realize I can only do it by honoring the people around me. As directors, we bring together talents and try to get the best out of them. Robert, Cillian, my partner in crime of 20 years, Matt wherever you are, Florence, Emily… All our amazing team. I have so many people to thank! Thanks to Donna Langley and Universal for seeing the potential in this ambitious project, thanks to the man who gave me the book (the biography of Robert J. Oppenheimer, editor’s note), thanks to Emma Thomas, my life partner. I love you. THANKS.”

In 2009, the big winners at the Golden Globes were Slumdog Millionaireby Danny Boyle, Kate Winslet for The Rebel Wedding And The ReaderMickey Rourke for The Wrestler or Colin Farrell for Good kisses from Bruges. Among the supporting male roles, Heath Ledger was nominated opposite Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. for Thunder in the tropicsRalph Fiennes for The Duchess and Philips Seymour Hoffman for Doubt.

Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christopher Nolan at the premiere of The Dark Knight (2008)

When he went on stage, Christopher Nolan was indeed acclaimed by Robert Downey Jr., long before offering him the role of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. Accepting the Heath Ledger award from Demi Moore, director of The Dark Knight expressed his sadness.

“Everyone who worked with Heath on The Dark Knight accept this award with a mixture of sadness and incredible pridehe said on stage at the 2009 Golden Globes. His death left a hole in the future of cinema, yet faced with the extraordinary reactions around the world, I am beginning to be able to no longer see this absence, but the incredible place he had made for himself thanks to his talent and his dedication. Heath will be missed forever, but he will never be forgotten.”

The Dark Knight is 15 years old: Heath Ledger’s unrivaled performance as Joker