Actress Julia Stiles shared heartfelt memories of working with the late Heath Ledger on their beloved 1999 teen romantic comedy "10 Things I Hate About You" during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
"He was such a force," said Stiles, now 43. "He walked into a room and just lit it up and had so much energy and passion, and it's really sad that he's gone."
The reminiscence comes as the 17th anniversary of Ledger's tragic passing approaches. The acclaimed actor was found dead on January 22, 2008, at age 28, with a toxicology report revealing a fatal combination of prescription medications.
Director Gil Junger recalled being instantly captivated by Ledger during the casting process, making the decision to cast him "basically before he even spoke." After seeing over 200 actors for the role of Patrick Verona, Junger knew Ledger was special from the moment he walked in. The director was so taken with Ledger's personality that he would commute with him just to spend additional time together.
The film, adapted from Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew," features Stiles as Kat Stratford, a sharp-witted high school senior whose life changes when she meets Ledger's character, Patrick Verona.
Reflecting on her experience, Stiles expressed particular fondness for the project, describing it as "fun" and noting it was her first major studio film. "I love that character so much. We had a great time," she shared.
Stiles, who is now making her directorial debut with "Wish You Were Here," continues to hold dear the memories of working alongside Ledger in what became a defining teen movie of the late 1990s.