We are overjoyed for him," Ledger's father, Kim Ledger, told People. "It's wonderful."

Due to personal reasons in their hometown of Perth, Australia, the Ledgers were unable to attend the L.A. ceremony. The late actor's trophy was accepted by Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan.

"On behalf of all of us who worked with Heath on Dark Knight, I accept this with mix of sadness and incredible pride," Nolan said. "He will be eternally missed but he will never be forgotten."

This Ledger's first Golden Globe win. He was previously nominated in drama lead for Brokeback Mountain. Ledger, who passed away of an accidental overdose Jan. 22 of last year, is the second actor to win a posthumous Globe, following Peter Finch (Network) in 1977.