Julia Stiles pays DWTS tribute to late co-star Heath Ledger
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The gist
Julia Stiles danced to a 10 Things I Hate About You song as a tribute to Heath Ledger.
The tribute came nearly two decades after the Australian actor's death at 28.
Background
Heath Ledger was an Australian actor born in Perth, known for 10 Things I Hate About You, Brokeback Mountain and his Oscar-winning turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight. He died in 2008 at age 28 from an accidental overdose, roughly six months before The Dark Knight was released. Julia Stiles, his co-star in the 1999 teen rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You, is competing on season 35 of Dancing with the Stars, a reality dance competition whose annual Dedication Night has contestants honor someone meaningful to them.
How it unfolded
- 1999Ledger starred opposite Julia Stiles in the teen rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You.
- Jan 22, 2008Ledger was pronounced dead at 3:36 p.m. in his New York City apartment at age 28, from an accidental overdose.
- Oct 20, 2026On Dancing with the Stars' Dedication Night, Stiles and pro partner Ezra Sosa danced to Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"; she placed a rose before a photo of Ledger and the 10 Things cast joined her on the floor.
- Oct 21, 2026E! News published a feature on Ledger's death and legacy.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Stiles said Ledger was "amazing" and "such a bright light," and that she wanted the dance to carry both a somber tribute and the joy the film brings people.
- Party
- Stiles said she "learned a lot from Heath" and that he was "so authentic," adding she was "crying in rehearsals" as clips and voices brought back memories.
- Expert
- DWTS judge Derek Hough called the performance "a perfect combination of joy, fun and emotion" that "will last forever."