Julia Stiles Cries, '10 Things' Cast Reunites in Heath Ledger Tribute on 'DWTS'

Julia Stiles placed a rose in front of a photograph of Heath Ledger, turned back toward the ballroom — and found her entire '10 Things I Hate About You' cast waiting for her. It was the kind of moment that made Tuesday's 'Dancing with the Stars' Dedication Night something more than a reality competition.

The contemporary routine Stiles performed with pro partner Ezra Sosa was set to a cover of Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' — the very song Ledger's character Patrick Verona had belted out to Stiles on a high school bleacher in the 1999 film. The dance was a deliberate homage to that scene, and Stiles was visibly emotional throughout, having teared up during rehearsals as well.

I have so many great memories, but I'm also sad, because I really wish that I could pick up the phone and be like: 'Hey, dude, people really care about that movie. We did something special.' And I can't do that.— Julia Stiles, actress

An accidental overdose killed Ledger in 2008, the result of combining prescribed painkillers and sedatives. In her rehearsal package, Stiles recalled how authentic he was on set and said how easy it was to work with him, according to NBC News.

A joint Instagram statement from Stiles and Sosa, posted before the episode aired, described the dance as a tribute to 'a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations,' according to NBC News.

After the music stopped and Stiles placed the rose on the floor, actors Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt and Gabrielle Union made their way onto the dance floor to stand beside her — bringing together the film's principal cast.

I mean, how cool is it to have created something that will last forever, you know? And tonight, this performance will last forever, as well. It was a perfect combination of joy, fun and emotion.— Derek Hough, judge

The four judges awarded Stiles a combined score of 36 — her best of the season so far.

Stiles was not the only competitor to use Dedication Night to honor a late co-star. In her own tribute, Tatyana Ali — who played Ashley Banks on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' — honored James Avery, the actor who portrayed Uncle Phil on the series before his death on New Year's Eve in 2013 from complications following open-heart surgery.

Ali was joined on the dance floor by Alfonso Ribeiro — her on-screen brother Carlton — who stepped in to finish the Viennese waltz with her after her pro partner Jan Ravnik stepped aside. The two shared a tearful hug as a portrait of Avery was displayed behind them. Ali herself recorded the song, Nancy Wilson's '(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am,' and noted that Wilson was among Avery's favorite artists.

I met him when I was 11 years old. Every holiday, James would give me a baby doll. I have a collection of beautiful baby dolls. And he told me, 'I'm giving you these dolls because they look like you, and I always want you to know how beautiful you are.'— Tatyana Ali, actress

Dance plays a role in our lives, like, a real role. And tonight, I saw it play this role right here live. And you dance like — it was like watching an old Hollywood film come to life, and all of your grace.— Carrie Ann Inaba, judge

Ali received a combined score of 32 from the four judges — also her best of the season.

Why it matters — The episode showed how pop culture grief — missing someone you made something meaningful with — can be processed publicly in a way that resonates across generations of fans.

Reported by variety.com, nbcnews.com, people.com, ew.com