Day-Lewis Dedicates SAG Win to Heath Ledger, a "Unique, Perfect" Actor

Heath Ledger, whose life was tragically cut short this past week under yet-to-be-determined circumstances, not only was remembered in a montage of late actors at Sunday night's Screen Actors Guild Awards, but he was also acknowledged by the estimable Daniel Day-Lewis. Accepting the award for best actor in a film ( There Will Be Blood) and reflecting on his ongoing discovery as a performer, Day-Lewis said, "There are many actors in this room tonight who have given me that sense of regeneration, and Heath Ledger gave it to me. In Monster's Ball, that character he created seemed to be almost like an unformed being retreating from himself, his father, his life and yet we wanted to follow him. It was unique." Likewise, Day-Lewis called Ledger's work in Brokeback Mountain "unique" and "perfect," and at the culmination of his applauded, emotional speech, he said, "I'd like to dedicate this to Heath Ledger." It was a moving and special moment within an efficient if not slightly cold kudoscast. - Matt Mitovich

For more on Day-Lewis and Ledger, read Anna's backstage report.

TVGuide.com's Screen Actors Guild Awards coverage:
" Winners and nominees
" Photo galleries
" Videos
" Cheers & Jeers on The Sopranos' wins