KEY POINTS:
Heath Ledger has received a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination.
The actor, who died of an accidental prescription drugs overdose in January, is up for the prestigious accolade at the annual awards show for his portrayal of The Joker in Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight.
Read the full list of nominees for the 2009 Golden Globe Awards here
Heath's father Kim Ledger said in a statement: "We thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for honouring Heath's performance in The Dark Knight.
"This nomination is deeply appreciated and is not lost on those of us who continue to love and miss him. We are so proud our boy's work is being recognized in this way."
Other actors nominated in the category include Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. for their respective roles in Tropic Thunder and Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess.
Leonardo DiCaprio is up for the Best Actor (Drama) prize for his role in Revolutionary Road with Sean Penn nominated for the same accolade for Milk.
Brad Pitt also received a Best Actor (Drama) nod for his part in The Curious Incident of Benjamin Button, while his partner Angelina Jolie is up for Best Actress (Drama) for Changeling.
Among others, the 33-year-old actress will battle against Rachel Getting Married star Anne Hathaway and Revolutionary Road actress Kate Winslet for the honour.
Kate, 33, is also nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in The Reader.
Veteran actress Meryl Streep has also received two nods, Best Actress (Drama) for Doubt and Best Musical/Comedy Actress for Mamma Mia!.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, The Reader, Revolutionary Road and Slumdog Millionaire are all up for the prestigious Best Motion Picture award.
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards take place on January 11 at Los Angeles' Beverly Hilton hotel.
66th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominations main nominees:
Best Motion Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy:
Burn After Reading
In Bruges
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mamma Mia
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Supporting Actor:
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Best Director:
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Steven Daldry - The Reader
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Best Actor (Drama):
Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Best Actress (Drama):
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristen Scott Thomas - I've Loved You So Long
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Read the full list of nominees for the 2009 Golden Globe Awards here
- BANG! SHOWBIZ
