When it comes to 1990s’ romantic-comedies, there are very few that remain as iconic and well known as10 Things I Hate About You. Between its star-studded cast, fondly remembered dialogue and fun plot, it’s no wonder it has captured viewers’ attention for 25 years.
Yet as fondly remembered as it is, there are a surprising number of things regarding the 10 Things I Have About You cast, including which parts of the film were improvised, who really suggested the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and who still keeps in touch. Keep scrolling to find out.
The film is based on Shakespeare’s playTaming of The Shrewand follows a new student at Padua High School named Cameron Jones (Joseph Gordon-Levitt),who really wants to date Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik). But in order to do that, he so has to set up Bianca’s sister, Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), with the school‘s resident rebel, Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). What follows is a mix of laughter and love.
Wanting to give it a watch? This film can be streamed onHulu.
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Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford
Emmy-nominated actress Julia Stiles portrays the strong-willed Katerina “Kat” Stratford. She was born in 1981 and only had nine credits to her name before starring in10 Things I Hate About You.
Stiles appeared in six episodes ofGhostwriter(1993-1994),The Devil’s Own(1997),Wicked(1998) and two episodes ofThe ’60sin1999. This was the last thing she worked on before becoming Kat.
“I was a 17-year-old girl, auditioning for romantic comedies and commercials and TV shows and always being told, ‘You’re too serious,'” she said in 2024. “You know, ‘Smile. You’re too angsty.'” Then she read the10 Thingsscript.
“It was the first timethat Ihad read a character in a teenageromantic comedy that spoke to me,”Stiles said.
After that, her career continued to thrive,working on thingslikeThe Bourne Identity franchise (2002, 2004, 2007 and 2016),Silver Linings Playbook(2012),Hustlers(2019) andChosen Family(2024).
Recently, Stiles welcomed a baby in 2023; it was her third child with husband Preston Cook.She is also working on directing the feature filmWish You Were Here, whichdoesn’t have a release date.
Did you know?The scene where Kat reads the “10 Things” poem was done in one take, andKat’s tears were improvised by Stiles.
Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona: 10 Things I Hate About You cast
The late and great Heath Ledger was born in Australia before he moved to the United States to pursue acting, with his first American film being10 Things I Hate About You.
After playing Patrick, Ledgerwasin The Patriot (2000), Ned Kelly (2003),Brokeback Mountain(2005),Casanova(2005) andThe Dark Knight (2008), winning a posthumous Oscar for his performance as the Joker inthatfilm.
Ledger tragically died in 2008 due to a prescription drug overdose.“He [Ledger] was a very magnetic presence on set, and he was like this force,” Julia Stiles said in 2022.“He had a zest for life. He was never checked out. He was always totally engaged with everybody. Really interesting, remarkable person and actor.”
Did you know?It wasactuallyStiles whosuggested Ledger sing Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”on the football field.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James
Two-time Emmy winner Joseph Gordon-Levittstarted acting at age seven and has continued to do so ever since.
His earlier works includeHi Honey – I’m Dead(1991),Quantum Leap(1991),The River Runs Through It(1992),Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman(1993), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996 to 2001) andThat ’70s Show (1998).Then he became the nerdy but lovable Cameron Jones.
When asked about the film in 2024, Gordon-Levitt had nothing but wonderful things to say about costar Julia Stiles. “Julia did such a magnificent jobof embodying that, I think in large part just because she lived it genuinely,”he praised. “She was not someone I would call a shrew, but someone I would call razor-sharp.”
More recently, Gordon-Levittwas cast in inInception(2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Lincoln (2012) andTrial of the Chicago 7(2020). He also provided the voice for Detective Hardrock in the 2019 filmKnives Out.
Gordon-Levittiscurrentlymarried to Tasha McCauley, and they have two children together.
Did you know?Despite his character, Cameron James, not knowing French, Gordon-Levitt is actuallyfluent in the language.
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Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford: 10 Things I Hate About You cast
Born in Santa Clara County, California,Larisa Oleynik was averywell-known child actress before10 Things I Hate About You.
Oleynik was in the hit Nickelodeon showThe Secret World of Alex Mack,appearing in 78 episodes from 1996 to 1998, as well as three episodes ofBoy Meets World(1996-1998). Then shebecame the somewhat spoiled and vain sister of Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles).
And while the two might not have gotten alongthat wellon screen, that certainly wasn’t the case off.
“The thing I love so much — and I’m going to get emotional — is,she’s [Stiles] so earnest,”Oleynik said in 2024. “She’s so genuine. And to me, that is the most beautiful thing about Julia’s portrayal of that character. Itis comingfrom a deeply heartfelt, vulnerable, sensitive,insanely intelligentplace.
“I don’t think anyone else would have been able to be that real.”
Oleynik’s more recent credits includeTogether Again for the First Time(2008), Pretty Little Liars(2012-2014), Wish Upon a Christmas (2015) andErin & Aaron(2023).
Did you know?Oleynikgraduated from Sarah Lawrence Collegein 2004,which waswhere her character’s sister Kat (Stiles) went in the film.
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Andrew Keegan as Joey Donner
Who could ever forget playboy and wannabe model Donner as played in the 10 Things I Hate About You cast by Andrew Keegan?
Keeganhad some pretty recognizable titles to his name before becoming Joey Donner. Some of the most notable are: two episodes ofBaywatch(1993-1994), one episode ofFull House(1995) and eight episodes ofParty of Five(1997-1998).
Then Keegan became playboy Joey in10 Things I Hate About Youand recalled having a wonderful time on set.
“The time that wegot to spendtogether in Tacoma, Washington,wasreallycoolwith this particular group of actors,”Keegan recalled in 2023.“But the memory that always comes to mind [is when] Heathhad this Saab car, and we would [take a] five-mile drive up to the mountains andlisten to Portishead.We’d be changing CDs, and he’d be sort of the DJ, andwe would smoke weed.
“Listening to the great music, hanging out with a great couple [of] guys — him and Trevor [di Carla] — those kind of memories are almost like a movie where you look back and they have sort of a magical mist around them. There’s just really a special time doing nothing in particular, but just hanging out and, I guess, getting high.”
Keegan has continued acting since then, appearing inthings like7th Heaven(1997 to 2004), Love, Wedding, Marriage(2011) andAdverse(2020).
He also welcomed a child in 2016 with his partner, Arista Ilona.
Did you know?Keegan would work with Stiles again in the 2001 filmO. It was a Shakespeare retelling based onOthello.
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Gabrielle Union as Chastity: 10 Things I Hate About You cast
Gabrielle Union stole viewers’ hearts when she had the iconic conversation in 10 Things with Bianca (Oleynik) about whether you can everbe whelmed and decidedthat you canbe in Europe.
Before that, Union was inGoode Behavior(1996),Sister, Sister(1997) andShe’s All That(1999). Then she became the lovable and very aloof character Chastity, where she uttered the famous line, “I think you can in Europe.”
And in 2021, Union, recreated the whelmed conversation and the Europe line with her step-daughter Zaya Wade.
@gabunion Can you ever just be whelmed? #tellmewithouttellingme #10thingsihateaboutyou #yourturn
♬ original sound – Gab Union
Aside from making TikToks, Union can be seen in Bring It On (2000), Think Like a Man (2012), Being Mary Jane (2013-2019) and The Perfect Find (2023).
She is married to NBA star Dwyane Wade, and they have two children together.
Did you know?Union wasactually28 when she was filming 10 Things I Hate About You, despite her character being a sophom*ore in high school.
David Krumholtz as Michael
Rounding out the10 Things I Hate About Youcast isnone other thanDavid Krumholtz.
Before playing Michael, Krumholtz was inAddams Family Values(1993),The Santa Clause (1994),Chicago Sons(1997) andThe Closer(1998).
Then he became the buttoned-up, bike-riding Michael and eventual best friend of Cameron, who was played by Levitt.
“Joe Gordon Levitt and I keep in touch ”Krumholtz said in 2024. “Every so often, I reconnect with Andrew Keegan. Gabrielle Union is wonderful, and I was very close to her when we made the film, but every time I tweet at her or send her a DM, she never answers, so I think she wrote me off, which is fine. I can handle that — I don’t blame her! Larisa Oleynik I keep in touch with here and there.”
But the one person he hates being asked about? Ledger.
“I don’t like answering questions about Heath Ledger,”he admitted. “What was Heath like? None of your business.The man is dead. He was a sweetheart. He was my friend. People want stories about him,and thoseare private because he’s passed.”
As of now, Krumholtz has 126 credits to his name. His notable ones include Superbad (2007), This is the End(2013),Down with the King(2021) andOppenheimer(2023).
Did you know?Krumholtz’ line “Sweet love, renew thy force”was pulled directly from William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 56.
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