Heath Ledger has earned a posthumous Golden Globe nomination for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

The late actor will compete against Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr. for their roles in war comedy Tropic Thunder, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt and Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess.

Heath's father, Kim, has spoken of his delight at his son's nomination, telling People, "This nomination is deeply appreciated and is not lost on those of us who continue to love and miss him. We are so proud our boy's work is being recognised in this way."

Frost/Nixon, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and Doubt lead the nominations with five nods a piece.

The nominations:

Best Drama - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

Best Comedy or Musical - "Burn After Reading," "Happy-Go-Lucky," "In Bruges," "Mamma Mia!" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Best Director - are Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire"), Stephen Daldry ("The Reader"), David Fincher ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), Ron Howard ("Frost/Nixon") and Sam Mendes ("Revolutionary Road").

Best Actor in a Drama - Leonardo DiCaprio ("Revolutionary Road"), Langella ("Frost/Nixon"), Penn ("Milk"), Brad Pitt ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler").

Best Actress in a Drama - Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married"), Angelina Jolie ("Changeling"), Streep ("Doubt"), Kristin Scott Thomas ("I've Loved You So Long") and Kate Winslet ("Revolutionary Road").

Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical - Bardem ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), Farrell ("In Bruges"), James Franco ("Pineapple Express"), Gleeson ("In Bruges") and Dustin Hoffman ("Last Chance Harvey").

Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical - Hall ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), Sally Hawkins ("Happy-Go-Lucky"), Frances McDormand ("Burn After Reading"), Streep ("Mamma Mia!") and Emma Thompson ("Last Chance Harvey").

Best Supporting Actor - Cruise ("Tropic Thunder"), Downey ("Tropic Thunder"), Ralph Fiennes ("The Duchess"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Doubt") and Ledger ("The Dark Knight").

Best Supporting Actress - Adams ("Doubt"), Cruz ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), Davis ("Doubt"), Marisa Tomei ("The Wrestler") and Winslet ("The Reader").

Best Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire"), David Hare ("The Reader"), Peter Morgan ("Frost/Nixon"), Eric Roth ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and John Patrick Shanley ("Doubt").

Best Animated Film - "Bolt," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Wall-E."

Best Comedy Series - "30 Rock," "Californication," "Entourage," "The Office" and "Weeds."

Best Drama Series - "Dexter," "House," "In Treatment," "Mad Men" and "True Blood."

Remembering Heath Ledger