Heath Ledger’s legacy will return to the ballroom next week when Julia Stiles dedicates a Dancing with the Stars performance to her late co-star from 10 Things I Hate About You.
Stiles and professional partner Ezra Sosa will perform a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” during the show’s Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The song has a direct connection to Ledger’s most recognisable early roles.
In the 1999 teen romantic comedy, his character Patrick Verona performs the song for Stiles’ character, Kat Stratford, in one of the film’s signature scenes.
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Heath Ledger tribute planned for October 20
ABC’s official episode information lists Ledger as the person Stiles will honour during the upcoming broadcast.
The episode is scheduled to air from 8 p.m. to 10:01 p.m. Eastern time on ABC and Disney+, with streaming availability expected the following day on Hulu.
Dedication Night will feature the 10 remaining couples performing routines for people, places or experiences that have shaped their lives.
Stiles is one of the celebrities competing on the 35th season of Dancing with the Stars, and ABC’s cast information confirms her participation in the current season.
The performance will mark a notable return to the film that helped establish both actors with a wide international audience.
Why the song connects to Ledger’s film legacy
10 Things I Hate About You was released in 1999 and loosely adapted William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew for a modern high-school setting.
Ledger played Patrick, a rebellious student hired to date Kat before developing genuine feelings for her.
The stadium serenade, performed with the help of a marching band, became one of the film’s enduring moments and helped make Ledger a familiar face to younger audiences.
Ledger later moved into more demanding dramatic roles, including Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain and the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
His performance as the Joker earned him a posthumous Academy Award for best supporting actor after his death on January 22, 2008, at age 28.
Ledger’s work also included A Knight’s Tale, Monster’s Ball, Casanova, Lords of Dogtown and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
Stiles and Ledger’s shared screen history
Stiles and Ledger appeared together only once, but 10 Things I Hate About You became a lasting part of both performers’ careers.
The film also featured Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik and Allison Janney, and has continued to attract new viewers through television, streaming and home entertainment releases.
For Stiles, the upcoming routine offers a way to connect her current television appearance with one of the most recognisable chapters of her acting career.
ABC’s episode announcement does not disclose the full choreography or explain how the routine will reference the film beyond the choice of song.
What viewers can expect from Dedication Night
Stiles and Sosa are among 10 couples scheduled to perform during the episode.
Other announced routines include Jackson Olson and Emma Slater performing a quickstep dedicated to Olson’s mother, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson performing a foxtrot dedicated to Shum’s wife, and Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas performing a paso doble dedicated to Ireland.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov will perform a contemporary routine dedicated to Glenn’s sister, while Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Viennese waltz dedicated to Dewan’s mother.
Former professional dancer Kym Johnson is scheduled to return as a guest judge for the episode.
The broadcast will be the next major opportunity for viewers to see how Stiles’ season-long ballroom journey develops after the competition’s Super Bowl Night episode on October 14.
For Ledger’s fans, the most recognisable detail will likely be the musical link to Patrick Verona’s serenade, a scene that remains closely associated with his early screen career.
The tribute is scheduled for October 20, 2026, nearly 19 years after Ledger’s death and more than 27 years after 10 Things I Hate About You first reached theatres.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Julia Stiles honour Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars?
Stiles is scheduled to honour Ledger during Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
What song will Julia Stiles perform for Heath Ledger?
Stiles and Ezra Sosa will perform a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
How are Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger connected?
They starred together as Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You.
Where can viewers watch the Dancing with the Stars tribute?
The episode is scheduled to air on ABC and Disney+ and is expected to stream later on Hulu.
How old was Heath Ledger when he died?
Ledger was 28 when he died on January 22, 2008.
Fact-Checked: The episode details, performance pairing, song selection and broadcast date were checked against ABC’s official Dancing with the Stars press information and programme pages.
Disclaimer: The performance details are based on the announced episode information and may not describe the final televised choreography.