David Krumholtz explains absence from “10 Things I Hate About You” reunion, Heath Ledger tribute on“ DWTS”

Shelby StivaleWed, October 21, 2026 at 3:36 PM UTC

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David Krumholtz in June 2026; The ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ cast on ‘DWTS’Credit: Arturo Holmes/WireImage; Disney/Ser BaffoKey Points -

David Krumholtz explained why he was absent from last night’s 10 Things I Hate About You tribute during DWTS.

The actor played Michael Eckman in the 1999 film, alongside Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and more.

The dance was dedicated to the late Heath Ledger, who also appeared in the film.

David Krumholtz was unable to join his former 10 Things I Hate About You costars on Dancing With the Stars last night — but he’s rooting for Julia Stiles.

“I could not be in L.A. for Dancing With the Stars last night. I would have loved loved loved to have been there,” the actor shared in an Instagram video on Wednesday. “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 actor explained to followers that he’s in upstate New York, specifically the Catskill Mountains, shooting a movie.

“I thought the cast looked amazing. They all look so young still,” Krumholtz continued, before taking off his winter hat and showing off a newly bald head. The actor joked, “It would have been weird” to join his castmates on the dance floor after shaving “what’s left of my hair.”

He explained that his looks would have surely become “Internet fodder.” Krumholtz added, “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.”

Stiles performed last during DWTS’ live show on Tuesday, dedicating her contemporary routine to the late Heath Ledger, who died in January 2008 following an accidental overdose. Ledger starred as Patrick Verona in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You alongside Stiles’ Kat Stafford. Details about her performance were kept under wraps until Tuesday night, and it was worth the wait.

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The routine was set to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” inspired by a pivotal moment in the rom-com. Stiles and partner Ezra Sosa took moves from Ledger’s iconic moment in the movie during their performance on Tuesday. As the dance came to an end, Stiles looked up to a screen displaying a photo of her and Ledger. When she turned around, the film’s stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt had all joined her. (Stiles received a 36 out of 40 from the judges.)

“It was a group conversation with the producers,” Stiles told Entertainment Weekly about the tribute. “When we talked about dedicating it to Heath, we needed to find somebody to sort of represent the movie or to join us on stage.”

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz in ‘10 Things I Hate About You’Credit: Everett Collection

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She added, “And I was like, ‘Well, it has to be the whole cast. It can’t just be one person, because we were a pack.’”

Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+.

on Entertainment Weekly

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”