David Krumholtz Explains Why He Missed the ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Reunion on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
David Krumholtz is speaking out after missing the highly emotional “10 Things I Hate About You” reunion that took place during Tuesday night’s episode of “Dancing With the Stars.” The reunion was held as part of Julia Stiles’ tribute to Heath Ledger, her co-star in the beloved 1999 romantic comedy. Fans quickly noticed that Krumholtz was absent from the ballroom when the cast gathered to honor Ledger, and the actor addressed his absence in a video shared on Instagram Wednesday.
Krumholtz, who played Michael Eckman in the film, explained that he was unable to travel to Los Angeles for the special night because he is currently in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, where he is filming a movie. He made clear that he wished he could have been there to support Stiles and to remember his late friend. “I could not be in L.A. for ‘Dancing With the Stars’ last night. I would have loved loved loved to have been there,” he said. “Everyone looked so amazing. Julia’s tribute to my dear friend, who I miss every single day, was amazing and stunning, and I’m so proud of her.”
Krumholtz continued by praising the cast, noting how youthful they still appear. “I thought the cast looked amazing. They all look so young still,” he said, before removing his hat to reveal a freshly shaved head. The actor made a lighthearted joke about his new look, remarking that it “would have been weird” to appear alongside his former co-stars in the ballroom after shaving “what’s left of my hair” because it would have become “internet fodder.” He quickly clarified that his hair was not the reason he missed the event. “I didn’t want that, but that’s not why I wasn’t there. I would have dealt with it. Anyway, love them all, love you all,” he concluded.
The “Dancing With the Stars” moment was one of the most talked-about segments of the season so far. During the latest episode, which was part of the show’s dedication week, Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa devoted their routine to Heath Ledger. Ledger, who died in 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose, starred opposite Stiles as Patrick Verona in “10 Things I Hate About You.” The film remains a cultural touchstone for fans of late-1990s teen movies, and the tribute carried significant emotional weight for both the audience and the cast.
Stiles and Sosa danced to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the song that serves as the backdrop for one of the most iconic scenes in the film. In that scene, Ledger’s Patrick Verona serenades Stiles’ Kat Stratford during her soccer practice in the high school stadium. He runs and dances through the stands, accompanied by the school’s marching band, in an elaborate attempt to win her over after Joey Donner, played by Andrew Keegan, pays him to take Kat out. The sequence has been celebrated for decades as a quintessential romantic-comedy moment, and Stiles’ dance on “Dancing With the Stars” incorporated some of Ledger’s signature moves from that very scene.
The tribute did not end with the dance. As the performance concluded, the poem that Kat reads in the film about Patrick began to play through the ballroom’s speakers. The poem, which famously begins “Dear Patrick,” is one of the most poignant moments in the movie, as Kat exposes her vulnerability after trying to maintain a tough exterior. After Stiles laid a flower on the ground in honor of Ledger, she was joined by several of her fellow “10 Things I Hate About You” co-stars. The circle included Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Cameron James), Larisa Oleynik (Bianca Stratford), Gabrielle Union (Chastity), and Susan May Pratt (Mandella). The sight of the cast members embracing on the dance floor was enough to send longtime fans into a frenzy online.
Krumholtz was a notable absence from that onstage gathering, but his explanation gives fans closure. He was not the only actor from the film who did not appear, but his video directly addressed the elephant in the room. The actor’s affection for Ledger and the rest of the cast was evident in his words, and he took the time to reassure fans that he had a legitimate reason for staying away.
The reunion comes at a time when “10 Things I Hate About You” is being rediscovered by a new generation. Directed by Gil Junger, the film is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” transplanting the story to a modern high school setting. The plot centers on Joey, a popular student who wants to date Bianca (Oleynik), but she is forbidden by her strict father to date until her antisocial older sister Kat (Stiles) has a boyfriend. In order to clear the way, Joey devises a plan to hire a mysterious and rebellious boy, Patrick (Ledger), to woo Kat. What begins as a paid arrangement gradually becomes genuine, and the movie explores themes of identity, reputation, and the danger of making snap judgments about other people.
Krumholtz’s character, Michael Eckman, is a friend of Cameron James, played by Gordon-Levitt. Cameron is a new student who quickly falls for Bianca, and Michael serves as his confidant and accomplice throughout the film. With his dry wit and sharp observations, Michael provides some of the movie’s funniest and most memorable moments. The role remains one of Krumholtz’s most beloved performances, even though he has gone on to have a prolific career in television and film. He is well known for his starring role on the CBS crime drama “Numb3rs,” his appearances in holiday classics like “The Santa Clause,” and his acclaimed performance as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” The latter role earned him significant critical praise and introduced him to an entirely new audience.
The “Dancing With the Stars” tribute also highlighted the enduring legacy of Heath Ledger. Although Ledger’s career was tragically cut short, his work in “10 Things I Hate About You” helped establish him as a leading man in Hollywood. He later delivered unforgettable performances in “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Dark Knight,” the latter of which earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. For many fans, the image of him singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in a high school stadium remains one of the most joyful in his filmography.
Julia Stiles’ decision to dedicate her dance to Ledger was clearly a deeply personal and artistic choice. She has spoken warmly about her time working with him, and the performance on “Dancing With the Stars” was her way of honoring both his memory and the film that brought them together. The emotional impact of the moment was amplified by the presence of her former co-stars, who stood alongside her as she placed the flower on the floor. It was a rare and moving convergence of past and present, made all the more special by the fact that so many of the original cast members are still close.
David Krumholtz’s absence may have been explained, but his heartfelt message ensures that fans know where his heart was. Filming a movie in the Catskills might have physically kept him away from the ballroom, but his tribute to the cast, and especially to Ledger, came through clearly in his video. He concluded by sending love to everyone involved, and it is clear the affection is mutual.
As the film continues to be celebrated on anniversaries, streaming platforms, and now reality television, the bond between its cast members remains a central part of its appeal. “10 Things I Hate About You” is more than just a teen movie; it’s a time capsule of a particular era, a showcase of emerging talent, and a reminder of the power of a well-made romantic comedy. For those who grew up watching it, and for those who are just discovering it, the magic of the film remains intact. And while Krumholtz could not be there in person, his voice added to the chorus of love and remembrance that made the “Dancing With the Stars” tribute so special.
