If Heath Ledger Wins, the Oscar Goes to Matilda

Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight has garnered praise throughout the awards season.

And if the late actor wins the Oscar for best supporting actor this Sunday, his daughter Matilda, 3, has been named the eventual owner, according to the Associated Press.

Matilda is the only child of the star, who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs last year. He was 28.

"In the event that Heath Ledger should be selected as the supporting actor recipient, the statuette will be held in trust for his daughter by her mother, Michelle Williams, until Matilda reaches the age of 18," Bruce Davis, executive director of the academy, told the AP.

"At that point, she may execute what we call an heir's agreement and keep the statuette forever – or, if she chooses not to do that, it will return to us."

If and when Matilda signs the contract, she would be entitled to receive the statuette on her 18th birthday, Oct. 28, 2023.

In January, Legder won a Golden Globe award, which his mother told People would go to Matilda.