Main Cast and Character Roles
The 1999 romantic comedy What I Hate About You features a core cast led by Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford and Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona. Stiles portrays a sharp-tongued high school senior who resists traditional dating norms, while Ledger plays the rebellious transfer student hired to date her. The film, adapted from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, was directed by Gil Junger and written by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith. It was produced by a team including Andrew Lazar and released by Touchstone Pictures, a Disney label. The ensemble cast also includes Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford and David Krumholtz as Cameron, the loyal best friend. The movie became a defining teen film of the late 1990s, with its cast earning recognition for blending classic literature with modern high school dynamics. The production budget was reported at around $30 million, and the film grossed more than $30 million in the United States alone, according to Box Office Mojo data.
Supporting roles were filled by actors such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron's love interest Bianca, Larry Miller as the overprotective father Walter Stratford, and Andrew Keegan as Joey Donner, the arrogant captain of the football team. The casting process emphasized chemistry between leads, with Stiles and Ledger reportedly undergoing improvisation sessions to build tension and humor. The film's soundtrack featured contributions from bands like Letters to Cleo and Cheap Trick, adding to its 1990s teen movie identity. The cast's performances were praised by critics for balancing satire with genuine emotion, helping the film maintain a strong audience score on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. The movie's success led to a television series adaptation, which expanded the original cast's characters into new storylines while retaining the core dynamic between Kat and Patrick.
Cast Members' Careers After the Film
Heath Ledger's role as Patrick Verona accelerated his rise to international fame, leading to later starring parts in films such as Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight. Ledger received posthumous critical acclaim for his portrayal of the Joker, winning a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Julia Stiles continued acting in both film and television, taking roles in projects like Save the Last Dance and the series Homeland. Larisa Oleynik built a career in television, appearing in series such as The Secret World of Alex Mack and Grey's Anatomy. David Krumholtz became a recognizable character actor in films like A Beautiful Mind and The Santa Clause franchise. Larry Miller remained active in comedy and voice work, while Andrew Keegan pursued roles in both film and independent projects.
The film's director, Gil Junger, went on to direct other romantic comedies and television episodes, while screenwriters Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith continued working on adaptations and original scripts in the entertainment industry. The movie's influence on casting choices for teen romances persisted into the 2000s and 2010s, with studios citing its blend of humor and sincerity as a template. The cast members have occasionally reunited for interviews and retrospective events, discussing the film's lasting popularity. The movie's streaming availability on platforms like Disney+ has introduced the cast to new generations of viewers. The film's box office performance and home media sales contributed to its status as a cult classic, with the cast's performances frequently cited in lists of best teen movie roles.
Production Details and Release Information
What I Hate About You was filmed primarily in Tacoma, Washington, with locations including Stadium High School, which served as the fictional Padua High School. The production company was Touchstone Pictures, and the film was distributed by Buena