Julia Stiles to pay ‘really special’ tribute to late co-star Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars

The actress will honour her late Aussie co-star Heath Ledger, 27 years after starring together in the iconic coming-of-age film, 10 Things I Hate About You.

Headshot of Zosia Melanczuk
Zosia Melanczuk
PerthNow
Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You.
Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You. Credit: Touchstone

Julia Stiles has revealed she will be paying a special tribute to her late Aussie co-star Heath Ledger, with her upcoming performance on the US version of Dancing with the Stars.

The show confirmed that Stiles, 45, will pay tribute to Ledger with her dance routine on the show next week, for dedication night, where she will perform a contemporary dance to the iconic song Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli.

Stiles and Ledger won over fans when they appeared in the hit 1999 coming-of-age romcom 10 Things I Hate About You.

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In one of the film’s most iconic scenes Ledger’s character serenades Stiles with a rendition of the song during sports practice in a bid to woo her – a performance that the actress is set to honour next week.

Julia Stiles starring alongside the late Perth actor Heath Ledger.
Julia Stiles starring alongside the late Perth actor Heath Ledger. Credit: Supplied

The actress has already become a favourite this season after thrilling fans with a performance inspired by her hit 2001 film, Save the Last Dance.

Clips went viral on social media of her performance with dance partner Ezra Sosa, while her co-star in the film, Sean Patrick Thomas, was in the audience and cheering her on.

The Perth actor tragically died at the age of 28.
The Perth actor tragically died at the age of 28. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

“We’re still, kind of, working it out, but I know it’s going to be really special,” she said.

Ledger, who hailed from Perth, tragically died at the age of 28 in New York City back in 2008, from an accidental overdose.

Stiles has previously discussed her memories of working with the Australian actor in a January 2025 interview with .

“He was amazing,” she recalled. “He was such a bright light.”

“He was very kind and generous to me,” she shared. “When you’re an actress in your first leading role in a big studio movie, you need to feel comfortable with the other person. And he was very generous that way.”

New of Stiles’ upcoming tribute has already sent fans of the iconic 90s blockbuster film into meltdown.

“Millennials pull out the tissue boxes, this is gonna be an emotional one!” one social media user wrote.

Another user said: “I will not be okay. None of us will. I’m almost crying thinking about it.”

Originally published on PerthNow

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