Julia Stiles Honors Late Co-Star Heath Ledger on Dancing With the Stars

Actress Julia Stiles brought viewers and the studio audience to tears on Tuesday night during "Dedication Night" on Dancing With the Stars, delivering an emotional contemporary routine dedicated to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star, Heath Ledger. Performing alongside professional dance partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles closed out the episode with a routine set to Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," the very song Ledger's character, Patrick Verona, famously sang to her character, Kat Stratford, from the bleachers in the 1999 romantic comedy.

During a pre-recorded video package, Stiles reflected on her fond memories of working with Ledger, who passed away in January 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembering her late co-star, Stiles shared in rehearsals that she learned a great deal from him, noting how effortless their connection felt on set. "I have so many great memories," Stiles said. "I really wish I could pick up the phone, and be like, 'Hey dude.'"

The tribute reached an emotional peak as the routine concluded with an audio snippet of Stiles' famous movie monologue and the placement of a rose in front of a giant photograph of Ledger. In a surprise that left fans and judges stunned, Stiles was joined on stage by several of her former castmates from the beloved film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt emerged to stand alongside her, placing their arms around one another in a touching show of solidarity.

The nostalgic reunion immediately resonated across social media platforms, with viewers expressing deep emotion over the tribute. Fans flooded online channels to share their reactions, calling the performance heartbreaking and exquisite. The judges rewarded the powerful routine with a score of 36 out of 40 points, marking Stiles' highest score of the season thus far.

Ledger's enduring legacy continues to be celebrated decades after his breakout performance in the Shakespeare-inspired teen comedy. Beyond 10 Things I Hate About You, his celebrated career included memorable roles in films such as A Knight's Tale, Brokeback Mountain, and The Dark Knight. His iconic portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight posthumously earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2009 Oscars.

The eventful episode of the ABC reality competition series also featured other touching tributes and dramatic moments, including a live gender reveal by contestant Tyler Cameron and an emotional dance by Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn dedicated to her sister. Despite the heavy emotions of the evening, host announcements confirmed that all ten remaining couples would advance to the next round, as no contestants were eliminated during week six.