Julia Stiles reunited with cast members from "10 Things I Hate About You" on Tuesday's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" for a performance dedicated to the late Heath Ledger. Stiles, who competed on the show with her dance partner Ezra Sosa, told Sosa that she had always admired Ledger's "lust for life" and wanted to replicate that quality in her routine.
The 1999 film marked a significant moment in Ledger's career before his death in 2008. The reunion brought together multiple cast members from the beloved teen comedy to honor the Australian actor's memory through Stiles' dance performance. Ledger played Patrick Verona in the original film, a role that helped establish him as a rising talent in Hollywood.
Stiles has remained active in both film and television since the movie's release nearly 25 years ago. Her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" gave her the opportunity to pay tribute to a former co-star while competing in the competition series.
The tribute underscores Ledger's lasting impact on those who worked with him during his lifetime. His performance in "10 Things I Hate About You" resonated with audiences and established him as a charismatic presence on screen, qualities that Stiles chose to celebrate through her choreographed routine on the dance competition.