Painting of Heath Ledger wins art prize

Perth, Australia -- A portrait of Heath Ledger painted by a friend shortly before the film star died has won an award at the Archibald Prize Exhibition in Australia.

People.com said Vincent Fantauzzo's "Heath" garnered the people's choice prize Thursday.

The award was voted on by more than 32,000 and is considered one of Australia's most prestigious art honors.

A representative for the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which is where the
prize was handed out, told People.com the Ledger family and the artist plan to donate the painting to the gallery.

Fantauzzo won $2,500 and a $1,000 gift certificate as part of the award.
Ledger died in New York in January. His death was blamed on his accidentally taking an combination of prescription drugs. He was 28.
The portrait was painted in December at his family's home in Perth.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.