How DANCING WITH THE STARS Honors Late Judge Len Goodman

Published: September 29, 2023

How DANCING WITH THE STARS Honors Late Judge Len Goodman

By Movieguide® Contributor

For the first time in nearly 32 seasons, DANCING WITH THE STARS airs without its long-time judge, Len Goodman.

DTWS producers and hosts, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, chose to honor him in Tuesday’s premier.

“Len was on this panel for nearly all of our 31 seasons, and though he is certainly irreplaceable, we wanted to keep his spirit alive,” Hough said in the premiere.

Movieguide® previously reported on Goodman’s death:

Len Goodman, longtime judge on the hit competition show DANCING WITH THE STARS, died on April 22, 2023. He was 78.

Fox News reported…’Goodman was ‘a much loved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew him,’’ a statement per his agent Jackie Gill read.

…Goodman, who started his career as a professional ballroom dancer, joined BBC’s STRICTLY COME DANCING in 2004 and DANCING WITH THE STARS in 2005.

PEOPLE reported, “A photo of Goodman appeared on the screen behind the ballroom floor as cameras panned to the new Mirrorball Trophy.”

DTWS Executive Producer Conrad Green told USA Today that the Mirrorball Trophy will now be called the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Green said, “We wanted to make Len a permanent part of this show, to always remind people the importance he’s had to DANCING WITH THE STARS and how much he meant to all of us.”

Entertainment Weekly reported, “In addition to a plaque bearing Goodman’s name, it also featured a small bowtie affixed to the trophy above the placard in a nod to Goodman’s ever-present bowtie when he judged on the show.”

“It’s so fantastic that Len will always be going forward with us,” Hough said.

The hosts revealed that this will not be the only tribute to Goodman in Season 32. Dancers will perform a “spectacular” dance dedicated to Goodman in a few weeks.