Terry Gilliam: 'Ledger Deserved More Awards'

Director Terry Gilliam has paid tribute to late actor Heath Ledger, insisting the star deserved more industry recognition when he was alive.Ledger was part way through shooting a role in Gilliam's latest project, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, when he died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs at his New York apartment on 22 January 2008.He received several nods for his role in 2005's Brokeback Mountain but failed to walk away with any of the major film prizes.However, since his death Ledger has garnered huge recognition for his turn as The Joker in last year's (08) Batman movie The Dark Knight - picking up a best supporting actor Golden Globe and Bafta for the villainous role.And Gilliam is saddened that Ledger wasn't recognised more when he was alive - and is adamant the best was yet to come from the tragic star.He says, "It would have been nice if Heath had won more awards when he was alive. Heath was a genius, I think there was nothing he could not do. We hadn't seen anything from him yet."Ledger has another shot at being awarded a Best Supporting Actor gong - he is hot favourite to be honoured with an Oscar later this month (22Feb09).In related news Director Terry Gilliam was embarrassed to step on stage to accept his Fellowship award at Sunday (08Feb09) night's British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) Awards - because he fears it signals the end of his career.

Former Monty Python star Gilliam followed in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg by receiving the prestigious honour, which recognises exceptional contribution to filmmaking.

But that isn't enough to convince Gilliam that he deserves the award.

He says, "I'm embarrassed to be part of it this year. I woke up in cold sweats. My friends are sending me emails that I sold out at last; I'm mainstream; I'm no longer the outsider. And my career is over.