Heath Ledger's Family Proud of Golden Globe Nomination

Photo by: Lisa Rose / JPI

Heath Ledger's no-holds-barred performance as the Joker in last summer's Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight has earned the late actor a posthumous Golden Globe nomination, announced Thursday morning. 

Commenting on the honor of being nominated for best performance by an actor in a supporting role, Heath's Perth, Australia-based father, Kim Ledger, said in a statement to PEOPLE, "We thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for honoring Heath's performance in The Dark Knight." 

He added, "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." 

Ledger will compete in the supporting actor category with Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. for their roles in Tropic Thunder, Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess and Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role inDoubt. 

Heath Ledger, 28, was found dead in a New York apartment Jan. 22, the same day the 2008 Oscar nominations were announced. 

It was later determined the death was caused by an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. 

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast Jan. 11 from the Beverly Hilton at 8 p.m. on NBC. 

• Reporting by Melenie Ambrose

www.people.com 

Heath Ledger as the Joker (sitting) and Christian Bale as Batman, in The Dark KnightPhoto by: Stephen Vaughan / Warner Bros