It was an emotional “Dancing With the Stars” 20th anniversary celebration.
The Nov. 11 episode of “DWTS” featured appearances by returning original professional dancers, as well as former host Tom Bergeron, who joined the panel as a guest judge. As the seven remaining couples continued with their competition, there was also a special moment dedicated to the late stars who participated in “DWTS” over the years, including the late Len Goodman.
During the episode, the pros honored past performers with a touching routine set to “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga. The performance was choreographed and performed by Ezra Sosa and Rylee Arnold.
“Let’s remember the members of our ballroom family who are no longer with us,” Alfonso Ribeiro said. “They will live forever in our hearts.”
The dance began honoring Jerry Springer (Season 3), followed by Cloris Leachman (Season 7), Aaron Carter (Season 9), Shannen Doherty (Season 10) and Florence Henderson (Season 11), among many others.
The final person was none other than Goodman, whose photograph was shown as Sosa and Arnold completed their dances.
Original host and this episode’s guest judge Tom Bergeron and current judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli were visibly emotional.
Ribeiro called it “a beautiful tribute to those who brought so much joy to the ballroom,” while Julianne Hough added, “That was the perfect way to remember them.”
Goodman appeared as a judge since the inception of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2005. He died from bone cancer on April 22, 2023, at the age of 78. Season 31 of “DWTS” was his last season.
A trained professional ballroom dancer, teacher and judge, Goodman was known for not sugarcoating his critiques, focusing on technique and staying true to the dance style.
He also served as a head judge on Britain’s “Strictly Come Dancing” from 2004 through 2016.
Following his death, during Season 32, current and former pros performed an emotional tribute to Goodman that left many in tears.
The “DWTS” trophy was also renamed in his honor and now known as the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
