Julia Stiles honors Heath Ledger with emotional DWTS tribute

Stiles recalled memories with Ledger while dancing a contemporary routine to a Frankie Valli classic on the live show.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:32:12 GMT

Julia Stiles honored her late “10 Things I Hate About You” co‑star Heath Ledger during Tuesday’s episode of “Dancing With the Stars,” performing a contemporary routine with partner Ezra Sosa on Dedication Night.

What happened

During the live broadcast, Stiles and Sosa danced to a cover of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” echoing the iconic serenade Ledger’s character performed in the 1999 film. The routine concluded with audio of Stiles reciting the poem she read to Ledger’s character in the movie. Costars Joseph Gordon‑Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, Gabrielle Union and Susan May Pratt joined her on the ballroom floor. Stiles received four scores of nine from the judges.

What the reports add

Variety noted that Stiles became choked up in a pre‑show video package, saying, “I learned a lot from Heath… It was so easy with him.” The New York Post reported that Stiles described Ledger as “so authentic” and said she wishes she could “pick up the phone, and be like, ‘Hey, dude.’” NBC News added that the dedication week is a regular DWTS tradition and highlighted that Ledger died in 2008 from an accidental overdose of prescribed painkillers and sedatives.

What was said

In the pre‑recorded intro, Stiles told the audience, “I learned a lot from Heath. He was so authentic,” as reported by the New York Post. She also said, “The spark in him that you see throughout that movie is what I’m trying to channel because life is too short and we should enjoy every minute that we have on this planet,” per the same outlet. Variety quoted Stiles saying, “I have so many great memories. I really wish I could pick up the phone, and be like, ‘Hey dude.’” NBC News reported that Stiles teared up while recalling Ledger’s authenticity during filming.

How it came about

Stiles first appeared on DWTS in September, dancing a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” a tribute that earned her an 18‑point score and linked her to the show’s broader tradition of celebrity dedications (Felo coverage). This week’s Dedication Night continued that pattern, allowing contestants to honor influential figures from their past.

Key facts

Julia Stiles performed a contemporary routine to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” on DWTS Dedication Night. (variety.com)
Stiles honored late co‑star Heath Ledger, recalling memories from “10 Things I Hate About You.” (nypost.com)
She received four scores of nine from the judges. (variety.com)
Ledger died in 2008 from an accidental overdose of prescribed painkillers and sedatives. (nbcnews.com)