David Krumholtz Reveals Why He Missed the ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Reunion on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
David Krumholtz is opening up about why he wasn’t part of the emotional 10 Things I Hate About You reunion that took place during Julia Stiles’ tribute to Heath Ledger on Dancing With the Stars Tuesday night. In a new video shared to Instagram on Wednesday, the actor explained that he was miles away from the ballroom, filming a movie in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and simply could not make the trip to Los Angeles for the special night.
“I could not be in L.A. for Dancing With the Stars last night. I would have loved loved loved to have been there,” Krumholtz said in the clip. The actor went on to praise the tribute, which honored Ledger, his late friend and former co-star, who died in 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose. “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.”
The Dancing With the Stars episode, part of the show’s dedication-themed week, featured Stiles and her professional dance partner Ezra Sosa performing a routine dedicated to Ledger. The two danced to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the iconic song used in one of the most beloved scenes in the 1999 romantic comedy. In that famous sequence, Ledger’s character, Patrick Verona, breaks into a stadium during Kat Stratford’s soccer practice and dances through the stands with the help of the school’s marching band, all in an attempt to win her over. It remains one of the most memorable moments in late-1990s rom-com history.
The tribute did not stop with the performance. After Stiles and Sosa finished their emotional routine, which incorporated some of Ledger’s signature moves from the film, the poem that Stiles’ character Kat reads in the movie about Patrick began to play through the ballroom speakers. Stiles then placed a flower on the floor in honor of Ledger, a gesture that visibly moved the audience and viewers at home. She was soon joined by several of her former 10 Things I Hate About You co-stars, including Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union, and Susan May Pratt. The reunion brought together many of the film’s key players, creating a powerful, nostalgic moment that paid tribute to both the movie’s enduring legacy and the actor whose career it helped launch.
Krumholtz, who played Michael Eckman in the film, was noticeably absent from the group, and fans quickly took notice. In his Instagram video, he addressed the reunion directly, making clear that he was watching from afar and cheering everyone on. He also joked about his appearance, noting that the cast members looked as youthful as ever. “I thought the cast looked amazing. They all look so young still,” he said. Then, with a laugh, he took off his hat to reveal his newly bald head. He quipped that it “would have been weird” to stand alongside his former co-stars in the ballroom after shaving “what’s left of my hair,” because it would have become “internet fodder.”
But the actor was quick to add that his absence had nothing to do with his bald head or any concerns about online chatter. “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. His comments struck a warm, affectionate tone, reflecting the deep bond the cast still shares more than two decades after the film’s release.
For those who may not remember, 10 Things I Hate About You was directed by Gil Junger and is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The story centers on high school student Joey Donner, played by Andrew Keegan, who wants to date Bianca Stratford, played by Larisa Oleynik. The only problem is that Bianca’s strict father has a rule: she is not allowed to date until her older sister, Kat, played by Julia Stiles, has a boyfriend. Kat is smart, independent, and notoriously antisocial, so finding someone willing to date her is no easy task. That’s when Joey comes up with a plan to pay a mysterious new student named Patrick Verona, played by Heath Ledger, to pursue Kat. What starts as a transaction slowly becomes something genuine, leading to one of the most memorable romances in teen movie history.
Krumholtz’s character, Michael Eckman, was a friend of Cameron James, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who also has a crush on Bianca. Michael serves as Cameron’s confidant and co-conspirator, helping him navigate the complicated social dynamics of Padua High School and offering comic relief throughout the film. The character was a key part of the ensemble, and Krumholtz’s performance helped solidify the film’s status as a beloved comedy.
The Dancing With the Stars tribute was particularly significant because it honored Heath Ledger, whose performance in 10 Things I Hate About You helped make him a star. The Australian actor went on to have a remarkable career, with acclaimed roles in films like Monster’s Ball, Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight, and I’m Not There. His untimely death in 2008 was a devastating loss to the entertainment world, and tributes to him have continued to resonate with colleagues and fans alike. For Julia Stiles, the DWTS performance was clearly a deeply personal moment, and she appeared visibly emotional as she and Sosa completed their dance.
The episode was also a celebration of the film’s lasting cultural impact. Released in 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You was a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its smart script, charismatic cast, and clever modernization of Shakespeare. It has since become a touchstone of the teen comedy genre, referenced and quoted by generations of viewers. The film’s soundtrack, which includes songs by artists like Frankie Valli, Letters to Cleo, and Bad Religion, also became a favorite among fans.
The reunion on Dancing With the Stars was not the first time the cast has come together in recent years, but it was certainly one of the most poignant. Seeing the surviving cast members gather in the ballroom, with the memory of Heath Ledger still so present, was a moving reminder of the film’s enduring place in popular culture. For fans, it was a rare and welcome opportunity to see the actors who defined so many childhoods and teenage years back in the same space, even if only for a few minutes.
Krumholtz, meanwhile, continues to stay busy with his own career. He has appeared in a wide range of projects since his 10 Things I Hate About You days, including critically acclaimed television shows like Numb3rs, The Deuce, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as films like Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, This Is the End, and more recently, Oppenheimer. His current project, which is filming in the Catskills, is just the latest chapter in a long and varied career.
Despite missing the reunion, Krumholtz’s message made it clear that he was there in spirit. His words about Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and the rest of the cast were filled with genuine affection, and his lighthearted jokes about his bald head only made his appearance more endearing to fans. As the video circulated online, many viewers responded with their own memories of the film and their appreciation for Krumholtz’s heartfelt reaction.
In the end, the Dancing With the Stars tribute to Heath Ledger was more than just a dance. It was a moment of collective memory, bringing together actors and audiences who were touched by the film and by Ledger’s extraordinary talent. Krumholtz may not have been physically present, but his words served as a reminder that the connections made on a movie set can last a lifetime. And for fans of 10 Things I Hate About You, seeing the cast honor their friend in such a beautiful way was a tribute in itself.
