Julia Stiles in tears as she honours Heath Ledger with emotional Dancing with the Stars tribute

Tragic actor Heath Ledger’s former co-star Julia Stiles shed tears in an emotional Dancing with the Stars performance dedicated to the late actor.

Along with dance partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles completed a standout routine to the sound of Frankie Valli’s much-loved Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, in honour of Ledger who died after an accidental overdose in 2008.

During the much-anticipated Dedication Night of Tuesday’s episode of season 35’s, the song directly referenced the bleachers scene in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You, where Ledger’s character Patrick Verona serenades Kat Stratford, played by Stiles.

At the end of the routine, Stiles recited a poem she originally read out to Ledger in the movie, joined by co-stars Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union, Andrew Keegan, Larisa Oleynik and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The dance was choreographed by Sosa in a contemporary routine showing controlled but intimate partnering with smooth transitions. Stiles’ costume was designed to hint at her character, Kat.

Stiles was awarded four nines by the judges for her performance, reports Variety.

In a pre-performance TikTok post reported by Good Housekeeping, Stiles said, “We are dancing contemporary to Frankie Valli’s ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ because I’m dedicating this dance to Heath Ledger,” she said in the clip posted on October 19.

“Making 10 Things I Hate About You with him was such a special moment in time.

“I learned a lot from Heath… It was so easy with him. I have so many great memories. I really wish I could pick up the phone, and be like, ‘Hey dude.'

“It’s amazing that people still care about that movie, and it’s just sad that we can’t celebrate it with him.”

Sosa posted a heartfelt tribute to Heath from his Instagram account, “I don't think we've ever approached a performance with more care, sensitivity, and intention than this one.”

He continued: “From the very beginning, it was incredibly important to both Julia and I that this tribute be created with the utmost respect, thoughtfulness, and close guidance from those who hold Heath and his memory closest.”

Sosa explained how the tribute “isn't about defining a relationship or telling a story that isn't ours to tell.”

He said, “It's about honoring a beautiful moment in time, a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations.”

In a heartfelt conclusion Sosa said, “We've poured so much love into this piece, and we're incredibly grateful for the trust placed in us to bring it to life.

“Our only hope is that it honors his memory with the dignity, love, and respect it deserves. 🤍”

Ledger is best remembered for his movies A Knight’s Tale, Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight.

He was 28 years old when he died in 2008, survived by his daughter Matilda whom he shared with his former partner Michelle Williams.

Ledger was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Dark Knight, with his family accepting the award.