The 1999 movie "10 Things I Hate About You" was a lot of things: a Shakespearean story, a quotable romance and, most importantly, a star-making showcase for heartthrob Heath Ledger.

Twenty years since the beloved rom-com was in theaters (it debuted on March 31, 1999), it's impossible to think of "10 Things" without picturing the late Ledger's devilish smirk, his serenade from the bleachers, his carelessness with a Bunsen burner and his suaveness in a suit.

More than 11 years since Ledger's untimely death, "10 Things" producers and castmates remembered the star in an interview with The New York Times.

They recalled how he nailed his audition, despite the fact that he thought he bombed it.

Script co-writer Kirsten Smith said that he wore a rumpled white suit and black button-down shirt and rocked it. "He was really dressed up, very John Travolta 'Saturday Night Fever.' (He was) way more dressed up than anyone else," she said.

Director Gil Junger said, "There was an energy to him, a sexuality that was palpable. When Heath was done, literally, with the first page, I said, 'OK, you can put down the script. You’re doing great. I want to do a little improv with you.”

After a quick audition with some improv, "I turned to the women in the room and said, 'Ladies, I have never wanted to sleep with a man, but if I had to sleep with a man, that would be the man. Please cast him immediately.' "

They remembered it was Ledger who picked the song for an iconic scene.

According to script co-writer Karen McCullah, it was Ledger who decided that his character should pick Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" during Kat's soccer practice.

In the scene, with Ledger running away from guards, "the nurse on (duty) was fearful (that a guard) might have pushed himself almost to a heart attack," he said. "Heath was running with such joy that it physically exhausted the guards."

Other actors talked about Ledger's loveliness as a human being.

Gabrielle Union, who played popular girl Bianca's buddy, Chastity, said, "Heath had the ability to look at you and (make) you feel like Princess Diana. In a very crowded Hollywood landscape, he could make you feel special and seen. That’s a pretty special gift, and I don’t think it’s talked about enough."

The full story is available online.