Maggie Gyllenhaal is backing the campaign to have her late THE DARK KNIGHT co-star Heath Ledger posthumously honoured with an Oscar.

Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine have both supported calls for Ledger to receive a gong at next year's (09) Academy Awards for his portrayal of The Joker.

And the actress believes Ledger deserves an award because his role was inspiring to other actors.

She tells WENN, "In order to be a good actor you have to find a place where you are free, but it's very unusual to be absolutely free in the way that he was in this movie.

"It was inspiring working with him. It was such a pleasure.

"In a way I feel funny about thinking about Oscars when he isn't alive, but at the same time I'm a member of the Academy and I would vote for him."