Julia Stiles Details Bond With Heath Ledger 26 Years Later

Julia Stiles shares 10 things she loves about the late Heath Ledger.

The Save the last dance star detailed why she got on so well with her 10 things I hate about you costar 26 years after the release of the film.

“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 of 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 to that set,” but she recalled that Heath had a particularly special presence. As Julia put it, “He just walked into the room and lit it up.”

And consider 10 things I hate about you was Julia’s first leading role in a feature film, she was particularly 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, “what you know, when you’re an actress in your first leading role in a major studio movie, you have to feel comfortable with the other person. And he was very generous in that way.”