Julia Stiles is sharing 10 things she loves about the late Heath Ledger.
The Save the Last Dance star detailed why she got along so well with her 10 Things I Hate About You costar 26 years after the film’s release.
“He was amazing,” Julia exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker. “He was such a bright light.”
The 43-year-old went on to note that she and all her costars on the 1998 film—including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Andrew Keegan and Larisa Oleynik—had “such a good time and were close on that set,” but she recalled Heath having a particularly special presence. As Julia put it, “He just walked into the room and lit it up.”
And considering 10 Things I Hate About You was Julia’s first-ever starring role in a feature film, she was especially grateful for her close connection with the Dark Knight actor, who died in 2008 at the age of 28.
“He was very kind and generous to me,” the Bourne Ultimatum actress explained, “which you know, when you’re an actress in your first leading role in a big studio movie, you need to feel comfortable with the other person. And he was very generous that way.”