Heath's Joker 'great piece of acting'

23 January 2009 10:26am

Ron Howard has said he feels "cheated" because he'll never get the chance to direct Heath Ledger in a movie.

The filmmaker - who has been nominated for a Best Director Oscar for Frost/Nixon - was impressed with the late star's performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight and said he'd have loved to have worked with him.

"It's a great piece of acting, and I, as a creative person, feel cheated in knowing I'll never have the opportunity to work with him," said Ron.

Yesterday (January 22) - exactly a year after Heath died of an accidental overdose of prescription medication - he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the Batman baddie.

"He would have been nominated either way. It has nothing to do with his passing," said Ron.

The Oscars will take place on February 22.

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