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Claire Danes Profile |
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Birth Date: April 12, 1979
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Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
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Birth Name: Claire Catherine Danes
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Height: 5'5˝"
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Biography |
Claire Danes was born in New York City on April
12th, 1979, into what she would later describe as a "very
creative household." Her father, Chris, a computer
consultant and architectural photographer, and her mother,
Carla, a painter and teacher, first met at the Rhode Island
School of Design. Both Claire's parents encouraged her
participation in the arts at an early age. Claire also has a
brother, Asa, six years her elder, who is a graduate of
Oberlin College in Ohio and works for a non-profit
organization.
At age six, Claire began classes in modern dance, which
remains one of her interests to this day. At nine, she
enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Claire's
acting career began in "off-off-Broadway" productions such
as Happiness, Punk Ballet and Kids on Stage, for which she
choreographed her own dance number. In 1992, she landed a
guest spot on the hit NBC series Law & Order, playing a teen
model who murders her photographer-lover.
Soon after the Law & Order appearance, Danes went to Los
Angeles and was offered a part in Steven Spielberg's 1993
masterpiece, Schindler's List. However, Claire turned the
role down because the production, set to shoot on location
in Poland, could not arrange a tutor for her. Spurning such
an opportunity might have been disastrous for a lesser
talent, but Claire's next project ended up catapulting her
to fame. She was cast as Angela Chase in the ABC drama, My
So-Called Life.
The series -- the critics' darling and the subject of a
small but devoted fan following -- was inexplicably canceled
after a single season, despite its four Emmy nominations.
One of these went to Claire, who lost, but did take home a
Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV
Series in 1995.
The praise and attention that came from My So-Called Life
jump-started Danes' film career. In 1994, she appeared
alongside Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder in Little Women.
The next year came How to Make an American Quilt -- also
with Ryder -- and Home for the Holidays, directed by Jodie
Foster, who became Claire's mentor.
After a few more small roles, Danes landed the part of
Juliet opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's
hyper-kinetic Romeo and Juliet (1996). She lent her voice to
the title role in the animated Princess Mononoke (1997), and
starred in 1997's U Turn and The Rainmaker, 1998's Les
Misérables and 1999's Brokedown Palace and The Mod Squad.
In the fall of 1998, Claire took a hiatus from her
burgeoning film career to attend college and study
psychology. Her choice was the prestigious Yale University,
where her grandfather had once been dean in the School of
Art and Architecture, and where Jodie Foster also went.
With a degree in her pocket, Claire has returned to acting
in films, and it's as though she never left. After an
appearance in Igby Goes Down (2002), Claire played Julia
Vaughan in the multiple award-winner, The Hours (2002),
followed by It's All About Love (2003).
This summer she will appear alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger
in the highly anticipated Terminator 3: Rise of the
Machines. A last minute choice for the role of Kate
Brewster, Claire found it "overwhelming and disorienting" at
first, but warmed to the idea of starring in a movie that
was a departure from her previous work.
But that's not to say that Claire will be straying from what
has built her stardom in the past; she will play the title
role in next year's circus-set drama Flora Plum, directed by
Jodie Foster. |
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Other
Information |
Completed 2 years at Yale University pursuing a degree in
psychology but never finished (2002)
Dated actor Matt Damon. [1996]
Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful
people in the world. [1997]
Flew to L.A. for the casting of Schindler's List (1993),
after she was discovered for the role in "My So-Called Life"
(1994). Steven Spielberg finally gave her the role but had
to turn it down, because they weren't willing to give her
tutoring in Poland.
Was banned from the Philippines in Sept 1998, for making
derogatory remarks about the country. The President of the
Philippines condemned her publicly.
Auditioned for the role of Lisa in Girl, Interrupted (1999).
Was considered for the title role in Lolita (1997).
Auditioned and was the first choice for the role of Rose in
Titanic (1997).
Once said in a Vanity Fair article that at university, she
is interested in psychology, philosophy, and art history.
The most frequently used title for articles about her has
been "Great Danes".
Has at least 4 songs written about her. The Ataris' "My So
Called Life" (album: "Look Forward to Failure" EP), Size
14's "Claire Danes Poster" (self-titled album), The Five
Mile Line's "Claire Danes" ("Busride Home" demo) and "Claire
Danes", a low fi indi ballad by John Parker Music which was
released on Subversive Records Limited in 2004.
Parents are Chris & Carla Danes.
Attended the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute.
Is the younger of 2 children.
Has an older brother, Asa.
Attended the Professional Performing Arts High School in New
York City. Other alumni include singer/dancer/actress
Britney Spears, actor Lee Thompson Young and
actor/singer/dancer Chris Trousdale.
Her letter of recommendation to Yale University was written
by Oliver Stone, her director on U Turn (1997).
Grew up in SoHo.
Her mother is an artist while her father is a photographer.
Her mother ran a daycare center out of their Soho loft
called Danes Tribe.
Started studying modern dance at the age of six.
She and Billy Crudup became a couple during the filming of
Stage Beauty (2004).
Broke up with Ben Lee after beginning a relationship with
Billy Crudup
Loves watching The Golden Girls reruns.
Her older brother is a corporate lawyer.
Is mentioned in actor Ryan Prince's song "Life" from his
2003 album "Live and Funked Up". |
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