Dancing With the Stars Honors Len Goodman’s Life and Legacy

In the most recent episode of Dancing With the Stars, the cast gave one final goodbye to the iconic head judge, Len Goodman. Goodman passed away this past spring from cancer; dancers paid homage to his legacy with an exceptional piece.

Prior to the performance was a prerecorded video of the pros looking back on their fond memories of the judge. Although he was known as the “tough judge” in front of the camera, he was described as a sweet soul and a complete gentleman behind the scenes.

Derek Hough fought through tears as he described one of his favorite things, judging alongside Goodman, which Hough mentioned was “getting to spend a little more time with him.”

Choreographed by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson-Chmerkovskiy, it was an exquisite Waltz to Frank Sinatra’s “Moon River.” The cast of dancers encompassed this season’s current lineup of pros as well as O.G. pros from the first five seasons, including Maks Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Louis Van Amstel, Edyta Sliwinska, Kym Herjavec, Karina Smirnoff, Anna Trebunskaya, Mark Ballas, Derek Hough, and Julianne Hough.

The Waltz was clean, simple, and, most importantly, strictly ballroom. It was filled with all the steps he would’ve loved; “no riff-raff, no messing about,” as Goodman used to stress.

shaking that was an actual masterpiece

— niki (@berstenxbrown) October 25, 2023

Derek and Julianne Hough started the piece by themselves, and shortly after, a sea of white ballroom dresses and black tailsuits flooded the floor. The choreography, formations, and synchronicity mesmerized in-studio and at-home audiences as they tried to watch through their tears.

As the dancers took their final bow, they gestured to the middle sea, where Goodman sat for 29 seasons. A light shined down as an old voiceover of Goodman simply stating, “All good things must come to an end.”

Me watching the Len Goodman tribute and dance #DWTS pic.twitter.com/sPtHgotM4Y

— Kayla McKechnie (@kayla_mckechnie) October 25, 2023

While the ballroom sat for a moment of silence, we saw tight shots of the dancers as they teared up, staring at Goodman’s old chair. What brought everyone at home to tears was watching judge Bruno Tonioli break down and embrace fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

The piece garnered a well-deserved standing ovation, and fans suspect an Emmy nomination is on the way. With that, the cast and crew gave a tribute to remember. However, Goodman’s legacy will live forever in DWTS history as the coveted Mirrorball Trophy is now the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Take a look at the beautiful tribute below.

Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8:00 P.M. on ABC and Disney+.