Honoring Heath Ledger at "The Dark Knight" Premiere (Fashion Wire Daily)

New York - It was a night when Heath Ledger should have been celebrating, for his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" (the second installment in the Christopher Nolan-Christian Bale "Batman" series) is already generating Oscar buzz. But of course the talented young Australian actor is gone, passing away in January from an accidental overdose of prescription medications. So at the gala premiere of "The Dark Night" Monday evening in New York, all thoughts were focused on his loss.

Ledgers family attended, in from the actors hometown of Perth, Australia. His parents Kim Ledger and Sally Bell, and his sister Kate avoided reporters and photographers, but his father reportedly gave the "thumbs up" sign as they left the theater.

Everyone involved with the film made the glittery scene, from star Christian Bale with his wife Sibi Blazic, to the rest of the cast, including Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Also attending were writer-director Christopher Nolan and composers Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard.

And Heath was on everyones mind, both at the premiere and earlier, when the actors spoke to the press about the exciting film and Ledgers impressively demented performance.

"There are actors that they just break through the sound barrier," Gary Oldman commented. "I would arguably say that Heath was possibly psychologically one of the most frightening screen villains ever. I think hes up there with Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth in ‘Blue Velvet and thats pretty scary. You have the original ‘Cape Fear, thats a villain, or Hannibal Lector. Heaths Joker is like those."

As Batman to Ledgers Joker, Christian Bale feels the loss of his co-star keenly. "I cant help but be just impressed beyond belief in what he did because its such an iconic villain. I had no idea how Chris (Nolan), if he chooses to make a third movie, is going to improve and make a better villain than what Heath came up with in this," Bale said. "I wish to God he was sitting here with us talking about it. I view this movie as an incredible celebration of his talent. Its absolutely tragic that this is the last complete work that he did."

Also on hand at the hot-ticket premiere to witness Ledgers performance were Nestor Carbonell, Ethan Hawke, Lauren Conrad, Blake Lively, Edie Falco, Mariska Hargitay, Emile Hirsch and Karina Smirnoff.

All very likely agree with Gary Oldmans take on where Ledger is now, as his consummate performance in "The Dark Knight" arrives in theaters on Friday, July 18.

"Hes probably looking down now and thinking ‘Are you kidding me? Im going to get nominated for an Oscar now? Hell be saying that for sure," said Oldman.