Julia Stiles details her relationship with Heath Ledger 26 years later

Julia Stiles shares 10 things she loves about the late Big health book.

THE Save the Last Dance the star explained 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 point out that she and all of her co-stars from the 1998 film, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Andrew Keegan And Larisa Oleynik— had “a really good time and were close on that set,” but she remembers Heath having a particularly special presence. As Julia said: “He came into the room and lit it.”

And considering 10 things I hate about you was Julia's very first leading role in a feature film, she was especially grateful for her close connection to the Dark Knight actor, died in 2008 at the age of 28.

“He was very kind and generous to me,” said the Bourne Ultimatum explained the actress, “and you know, when you're an actress in your first leading role in a big studio movie, you have to feel comfortable with the other person. And he was very generous in that way .”