David Krumholtz Explains Why He Wasn’t at the ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Reunion on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
David Krumholtz is clearing up why he was missing from the emotional “10 Things I Hate About You” reunion that took place on “Dancing With the Stars” earlier this week. The actor, who played the sharp-witted Michael Eckman in the beloved 1999 romantic comedy, took to Instagram on Wednesday to explain that he was nowhere near Los Angeles when Julia Stiles paid tribute to their late co-star, Heath Ledger.
In a video shared on the platform, Krumholtz revealed that he is currently in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, where he is busy filming a movie. That location made it impossible for him to attend the special “Dancing With the Stars” episode in person, but he made it clear that he was thinking of the cast and the moment all the same.
“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 video. “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’s words struck a chord with fans who had spent the night watching the “10 Things I Hate About You” cast reunite on the dance floor. The moment was about more than just a movie; it was a remembrance of Ledger, who died tragically in 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose. For Krumholtz and his former castmates, Ledger’s loss has remained a deeply personal one, and Stiles’ tribute on Tuesday night was a chance to honor his memory in front of millions of viewers.
Krumholtz went on to praise how youthful his old friends still looked. “I thought the cast looked amazing. They all look so young still,” he said. But then he added a playful layer to his explanation. After making that comment, he took off his hat, revealing a freshly shaved head, and joked that showing up at the ballroom looking like that would have been a strange sight. He said that shaving “what’s left of my hair” would have become “internet fodder,” and he wanted to avoid distracting from the tribute to Ledger.
Still, he was careful to note that his haircut was not the real reason he stayed away. “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 message was equal parts heartfelt and lighthearted, striking the same tone that made his character in the film so beloved in the first place.
The “Dancing With the Stars” episode in question was a dedication night, and Stiles chose to devote her performance to Ledger. She danced with her professional partner Ezra Sosa to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, the song that has become inseparable from the movie. In “10 Things I Hate About You,” the song plays during one of the most iconic scenes in the entire film. Ledger’s Patrick Verona takes over the school stadium, marching band included, and performs an exuberant, theatrical serenade to Julia Stiles’ character, Kat Stratford, while she tries to practice soccer on the field. The scene is joyful, romantic, and completely over the top, and it is one of the reasons the movie has endured for more than two decades.
Stiles and Sosa’s routine leaned into that history. It included some of the same movements and gestures that Ledger made famous in the original scene, giving longtime fans a wave of nostalgia. The performance was not just a dance; it was an homage to a person who meant a great deal to the people who made that movie. For those who grew up watching the film on repeat, seeing the moment recreated on the ballroom floor was both thrilling and tear-jerking.
The tribute did not end with the dance. After Stiles and Sosa finished, the poem that Kat reads in the film began to play. That poem, which lists all the things she hates about Patrick, ultimately reveals how much she really loves him. It is one of the most memorable monologues in the movie and has been quoted by fans for years. In the ballroom, the poem served as a tender reminder of the love story at the center of “10 Things I Hate About You.”
Then came the moment that truly made it a reunion. Stiles laid a flower on the ground in honor of Ledger, a simple but powerful gesture that left many viewers emotional. Afterward, she was joined on the dance floor by several of her former co-stars. Andrew Keegan, who played Joey Donner, was there. So were Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who played Cameron James, and Larisa Oleynik, who played Bianca Stratford. Gabrielle Union, who played Chastity, and Susan May Pratt, who played Mandella, also appeared. Together, they stood as a group, celebrating the film that brought them together and remembering the friend they lost far too soon.
For those unfamiliar with the film, “10 Things I Hate About You” is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” The story takes place in a high school setting, where a new student named Cameron James becomes instantly smitten with Bianca Stratford. But Bianca’s father has a strict rule: she is not allowed to date unless her older sister, Kat, is also dating. Kat, however, is fiercely independent, antisocial, and uninterested in the dating scene, which makes things difficult for Bianca and Cameron. In order to solve the problem, the scheming Joey Donner, who also wants Bianca, comes up with a plan. He pays Patrick Verona, a mysterious and slightly dangerous boy, to pursue Kat. What begins as a paid arrangement unexpectedly turns into a genuine and endearing romance.
Krumholtz’s character, Michael Eckman, was one of the film’s most entertaining parts. As Cameron’s close friend, he helped him navigate the complicated social rules of Padua High and was also among the boys interested in Bianca. Michael was the kind of friend who offered sarcastic commentary and practical advice, and Krumholtz’s performance gave the movie a lot of its humor and heart.
The film was directed by Gil Junger and became a sleeper hit in 1999. It introduced or boosted the careers of several young actors who would go on to become major stars. Ledger, in particular, used the movie to establish himself as a charismatic leading man before moving on to more dramatic fare. His later performances in films like “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Dark Knight” cemented his reputation as one of the most talented actors of his generation. His death in 2008 sent shockwaves through Hollywood, and tributes to him have continued ever since.
For Krumholtz, the opportunity to reunite with the cast would clearly have been meaningful. He spoke warmly about his former co-stars and about Ledger, calling him a dear friend he misses every single day. That sentiment is likely shared by many who worked on the movie. The cast of “10 Things I Hate About You” has always seemed to have a genuine bond, and seeing them come together on “Dancing With the Stars” was a reminder of the lasting impact the film has had on pop culture.
The reunion came as part of a season of “Dancing With the Stars” that has leaned heavily into emotional moments. Dedication nights have become a staple of the show, allowing celebrities to pay tribute to the people who have shaped their lives. For Stiles, that meant honoring a former co-star whose friendship and talent left a significant mark on her. The dance was not just about showmanship; it was about keeping Ledger’s memory alive.
As for Krumholtz, his absence was understandable, but his presence was still felt through his heartfelt Instagram message. His fans appreciated the honesty and humor he brought to the explanation, especially when he joked about his bald head. It was a classic Krumholtz move, blending sincerity with a self-deprecating laugh.
The actor’s career has continued to thrive since his days at Padua High. He is well known for starring as Charlie Eppes on the CBS drama “Numb3rs,” and he brought a memorable charm to the “Santa Clause” films as Bernard the elf. More recently, he earned acclaim for his role as physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a film that dominated awards season. His ability to move between comedy and drama has made him one of the most versatile actors of his generation.
Now he is hard at work on a new project in the Catskills, and while fans may have missed seeing him on the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom floor, they can take comfort in knowing that he was thinking of his friends and celebrating them from afar. His message also served as a reminder that even when schedules keep people apart, the bonds formed on a movie set can last a lifetime.
“10 Things I Hate About You” remains a fan favorite, and moments like the reunion on “Dancing With the Stars” only strengthen its legacy. The movie captured something timeless: the awkwardness of high school, the thrill of first love, and the importance of being true to yourself. It also gave audiences a love story that still feels fresh, largely because of the chemistry between Stiles and Ledger. Seeing their co-stars come together to honor that history was a special moment for everyone who loves the film.
As the night came to a close, the image of the cast standing together in the ballroom was a powerful one. It was a celebration of a film that has meant so much to so many people, a remembrance of an actor who left too soon, and a tribute to the kind of friendship that can grow out of a shared creative project. Krumholtz may not have been physically there, but his words made it clear that he was with them in spirit. He loved the tribute, he loved his friends, and he misses Heath Ledger deeply. That much was obvious from every word he shared.
