Julia Stiles remembers late co-star Heath Ledger during ‘DWTS’ tribute: ‘He was so authentic’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Julia Stiles paid tribute to her late ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ co-star Heath Ledger during Tuesday night’s episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

For ‘Dedication Night,’ Stiles and her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, performed a contemporary dance to Frankie Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,’ the song Ledger famously sang to Stiles in the 1999 romantic comedy.

Julia Stiles recalls Heath Ledger’s authenticity during ‘Dancing with the Stars’

In a pre-recorded introduction, Stiles reflected on what she learned from Ledger, saying, “He was so authentic.” The actress added that she was charmed by her former co-star and found acting alongside him easy.

“I have so many great memories, but I’m also sad because I really wish that I could pick up the phone and be like, ‘Hey, dude. People really care about that movie. We did something special,’” Stiles said, acknowledging how she could no longer have that conversation with him.

Stiles added that she wanted to channel the spark Ledger displayed throughout the film. “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,” she said.

At the end of the routine, Stiles was joined by some of her ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ castmates, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union. Speaking to co-host Julianne Hough, the actress said Ledger “brought out the light in everybody” around him and helped them “shine.”

In the film, Stiles plays Kat, an unsocial teenager whose overly protective single father prevents her from dating. Her character’s life changes when she meets Patrick Verona, a charming Australian student played by Ledger.

Julia Stiles and ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ director remember Heath Ledger

Stiles previously reflected on working with Ledger during an appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’ on January 13, ahead of the 17th anniversary of his death. The actress discussed her experiences working with several well-known actors, including Ledger, on their 1999 teen romantic comedy.

“He was such a force,” Stiles said, describing how Ledger could enter a room and fill it with energy and passion. She added that it was “really sad that he’s gone.”

Director Gil Junger also recalled casting Ledger during an interview with PEOPLE for the film’s 25th anniversary. Junger said he had already read more than 200 actors for Patrick Verona, while the casting team had probably considered close to 2,000.

“This guy was an old soul if you’ve ever met one,” Junger said. Recalling Ledger’s audition, he explained that the actor’s presence immediately caught his attention. “I swear on my parents’ lives, I thought, ‘If this actor can speak English, I’m going to cast him,’” Junger recalled, adding that Ledger had “an energy that was undeniable”.

The director also revealed that he enjoyed Ledger’s company so much that he would travel to and from work with the actor simply to spend more time with him.