Occupation: Actress
Born: April 12, 1979, New York, NY
Education: Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute; Professional Performing Arts School
Parents: Chris and Carla Danes
Brother: Asa
Hair Colour: Dark Blonde (when natural)
Eyes: Hazel
Height and Weight: 5'6" (166cm), 110-120 lbs
This winsome, remarkably self-possessed young actress brought disarming authenticity as well as intelligence and emotional complexity to her starring role in the landmark high school/family drama "My So-Called Life" (ABC, 1994-95). Her often heartrending portrayal of a fifteen-year-old coping with the rigors of adolescence contributed to the cultish series' avalanche of kudos and won a Golden Globe Award an an Emmy nomination for Claire. The low-rated, short-lived program counted Steven Spielberg and Winona Ryder among its devoted fans.
A native New Yorker, Claire was encouraged to pursue her interest acting by artistic parents. She began modern dance at age six. By age nine, she was taking weekend acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institue. She started her performing career on the off-off-Broadway stage with supporting roles in "Happiness", "Punk Ballet", and "Kids On Stage." (Claire choreographed a solo dance piece for the latter.) At age 11, she made her film debut portraying a molested child in "Dreams of Love" (released 1992) a student short from director Jeffrey Mueller and executive producer Milos Forman. The precocious actress arrived on the small screen in a memorable 1992 guest shot on the NBC crime drama series "Law and Order." She played a volatile teen who, with her mother, is involved with a sleazy photographer. In 1992, Claire also auditioned for "My So-Called Life" as well as Spielberg's "Schindler's List." She won both roles, but turned down the role in "Schindler's List" because they weren't able to give her any schooling in Poland. She filmed the pilot for "My So-Called Life" in early 1993, and the show later aired in August 1994.
Claire won excellent notices for her feature debut as the doomed Beth in a successful remake of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel "Little Women" in 1994. She co-starred in the film with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder (she became quick friends with Ryder off camera). Indeed Steven Spielberg hailed her as "one of the most exciting actresses to debut in ten years." When "My So-Called Life" ended prematurely, Claire was quickly deluged with feature offers.
Claire next popped up in a flashback sequence playing a younger version of Anne Bancroft's character in the Winona Ryder film "How to Make An American Quilt" (1995)and followed that up with a small role as the wise-beyond-her-years daughter of Holly Hunter in Jodie Foster's "Home for the Holidays." A year later, Claire appeared in much larger, and more successful films.
In 1996, Claire co-starred opposite Jeanne Moreau and Jude Law in "I Love You, I Love You Not" playing the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. survivor (the film has yet to be released here). She followed that film with "To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday" as the daughter helping her father (Peter Gallagher) cope with the death of her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer). However her biggest role was Juliet, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo, in Baz Luhrmann's box-office smash "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet." Claire beat out many actresses for the part (rumour has it that Alicia Silverstone and Natalie Portman were up for the role), and critics were agreeing that she was the perfect Juliet.
This bright angel can next be seen in Oliver Stone's "U-Turn" with Sean Penn and Billy Bob Thorton. As well, she will play Kelly in Francis Ford Coppola's screen adaptation of John Grisham's book "The Rainmaker." In addition to that Claire has completed "Polish Wedding" with Gabriel Byrne. Claire also has the plum role of Cossette in Bille August's remake of "Les Miserables" with Liam Neeson. Other projects in the future for Claire include "Monterey Pop" and "Brokedown Palace", as well as going to college.
It is quite evident that Claire Danes will soon become one of the top actresses in Hollywood, and her star will shine brightly for the years to come.
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