LOS ANGELES: It is close to Heath Ledger’s one year death anniversary but he is more alive than ever.

The late Australian actor received his second posthumous award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for his spellbinding portrayal of arch-villain - the Joker - in Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight".

He is also a heavy favourite to land a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the same role which broke a series of US box office records after its release in July.

On Saturday, Perth-born Ledger won the Australian Film Institute’s International Best Actor Award, one of his country’s most prestigious film awards.

Ledger gained international stardom for his Oscar-nominated role as a gay cowboy in the 2005 film “Brokeback Mountain”.

The 28-year-old star died of an accidental overdose of painkillers and other medicines in his New York apartment 11 months ago.

If Ledger is honoured at next February's Academy Awards, he would be only the second posthumous Oscar-winner after Peter Finch, who triumphed in 1976 for his iconic role in "Network."

- CNA/jk