Monday, December 8, 2008

Heath Ledger wins top Australian acting award for role in 'The Dark Knight'

Heath Ledger has posthumously won the Australian Film Institute's international award for best actor, the country's top acting award, for his role in 'The Dark Knight.' Corkery/News

Heath Ledger has posthumously won the Australian Film Institute's international award for best actor, the country's top acting award, for his role in 'The Dark Knight.'

MELBOURNE, Australia - The late actor Heath Ledger was awarded one of his country's most prestigious film awards Saturday for his final role as the Joker in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight."

Ledger, 28, who died of an accidental overdose of painkillers and other medicines in his New York apartment 11 months ago, was posthumously awarded the Australian Film Institute's international award for best actor.

Guests at a packed awards ceremony in Melbourne's Princess Theatre rose to their feet clapping, but with some in tears, to pay tribute.

"It has been without a doubt the most difficult year, losing such a loved family member," said his sister Kate, fighting back tears. "We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter [Matilda], whom we will cherish forever."

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Pamela Anderson arrives at prestigious art show wearing just her underwear

By Adrienne Agg

Classy and elegant are not words you would typically use to describe Pamela Anderson - but surely she would know that at a prestigious art show, underwear is inappropriate attire.

The former Baywatch star caused a stir when she arrived at one of the most important art exhibitions in the U.S., Art Basel Miami Beach, wearing a pair of orange and black patterned underpants.

Known for wearing as little as possible, Anderson at least covered the top half of her modesty, with a grey off-the-shoulder t-shirt.

Pamela Anderson

Dress code? Pamela Anderson (pictured with photographer friend David LaChapelle, right) attends the distinguished Art Basel Miami Beach fair

Anderson enjoyed playing up to the cameras as she seductively bent over paintings, with her bottom and pink high heels in the air.

But when it came to accessories, the 41-year-old was in keeping with the art theme, as she held a Campbell's Soup handbag clutch - a hint to the work of art produced by Andy Warhol in the 1960s.

Anderson was joined by Paris Hilton at the annual week-long art fair to view the work of fashion photographer and film director David LaChapelle.

Pamela Anderson

Creative experience: Pamela Anderson steals the show at the Art Basel Miami Beach art fair in some eye-catching attire

LaChapelle's exhibition 'Jesus Is My Homeboy' featured a series of surreal and sometimes humorous images of models posing with Jesus.

The American artist, with his characteristic boyish cap tilted to the side, was yesterday eager to show the bare-legged Anderson around Art Basel at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

During the tour, the ex-Playboy covergirl reached out to hug a photograph of herself.

Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson

Arty friends: Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson embrace at an Art Basel exhibition of David LaChapelle's photographic art

Anderson recently signed a six-figure deal to be the new face of British designer Vivienne Westwood and will front her spring/ summer outfits campaign next year.

She met the designer at a party last year, and it is believed Westwood loves her 'quirkiness'.

Art Basel is an exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

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