Joaquin Phoenix honors Heath Ledger in touching SAG Awards speech for Joker
During his acceptance speech, Phoenix pays tribute to the former Joker actor.
Actor Joaquin Phoenix gives fans a new, sadder look at the DC Comics villain in the 2019 movie Joker.
When Joaquin Phoenix took home the SAG Award Sunday for his performance as Arthur Fleck/Joker in Joker, he was quick to thank a previous actor who portrayed the popular DC Comics villain on the big screen.
As he accepted his SAG statuette for outstanding performance by a male actor, Phoenix paid tribute to the late, great Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight. Ledger's performance of the Joker earned him an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role.
"I'm standing here on the shoulders of my favorite actor Heath Ledger," Phoenix said.
"I'm standing here on the shoulders of my favorite actor Heath Ledger." Joaquin Phoenix thanks the late #DarkKnight star while accepting the #SAGAwards statue for #Joker https://t.co/tD2ozkArqi pic.twitter.com/k9q8hwFFrM
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 20, 2020
This award marks the second for Phoenix for his performance as Joker. He previously won a Golden Globe. Phoenix is also nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award, to name a few.
Fans online saluted Phoenix for honoring Ledger, who died in 2008.
"Joaquin Phoenix mentioning Heath Ledger was amazing!" one fan tweeted. "Thank you for acknowledging who inspired you to play this role."
Tweeted another, "I love that Joaquin ended his SAG Awards speech by honoring his friend and favorite actor, Heath Ledger."
"I'm standing here on the shoulders of my favourite actor... Heath Ledger" ❤️#SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/sH08kOdZ5c
— CHAYO (@chayorx) January 20, 2020
Joaquin Phoenix mentioning Heath Ledger was amazing! Thank you for acknowledging who inspired you to play this role. #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/WdD6rua74o
— Yanet (*Moon (@kornymoon) January 20, 2020
I love that Joaquin ended his SAG Awards speech by honoring his friend and favorite actor, Heath Ledger. #Joker pic.twitter.com/hYjUWwqHRC
— Formerly known as Oracle (@4eyed_Rhea) January 20, 2020
When #JoaquinPheonix thanked #HeathLedger at the #SAGAwards 😭😭😭😭♥♥♥♥ Joaqins pure soul always makes me cry! pic.twitter.com/uJJCyvW3eX
— Nadine Fleck *Stairdancer* (@Arthurs_Girl) January 20, 2020
heath ledger sag for joker (2009)
— tia ʬ⁸⁴ (@gothamyscira) January 20, 2020
joaquin phoenix sag win for joker (2020) pic.twitter.com/xLpCHmxbj7
Congrats Joaquin Phoenix 🙌
— Dani. Perched, and sat, and nothing more. (@dan_dresdner) January 20, 2020
Great speech. He made it about each of his fellow nominees.
To Christian Bale: You never turn in a bad performance, it's infuriating. I wish you would suck just once.
"I'm standing on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger." pic.twitter.com/2CShbuS3F2
When Joaquin dedicated his win to Heath Ledger #SAGAwards pic.twitter.com/EWTVvdCiJe
— Chloe VanderElst (@ChloeVanderelst) January 20, 2020
Greatness #Joker pic.twitter.com/v9pJ86aDUf
— Ben (@Thenuge72) January 20, 2020
