Claire Danes Was a Total '90s Teen Icon and We Have 15 Photos to Prove It (That Hair! Those Outfits!)

Claire Danes turns 45 on April 12, 2024, but will always be Angela Chase to true '90s kids

In the mid-1990s, Claire Danes was having a moment.

The actress's star rose quickly when she landed the role of Angela Chase on My So-Called Life, bringing relatability to the teenage experience (and introducing fellow future A-listers like Jared Leto along the way).

In the years since that one-season wonder earned acclaim, Danes has gone on to fan favorites like Homeland and Temple Grandin, but true '90s kids will never forget her on-point sense of red carpet style and her other iconic roles (hello, Juliet!) from her first decade as a celeb.

Here, on Danes' 45th birthday, take a look at some of her best photos from the mid '90s.

Claire Danes as Angela Chase

When you Google "Angela Chase," endless think pieces about how the character shaped people's lives pop up. The "typical" teenager who wanted to break out of her shell struck a chord with many of My So-Called Life's devoted viewers.

Claire Danes as Angela Chase

Claire Danes also had a signature Angela Chase pose for early press photos.

Claire Danes as Angela Chase

Really.

Claire Danes at the 1995 Golden Globe Awards

Claire Danes' work as Angela Chase earned the actress her first of four Golden Globe Awards to date. (She got an Emmy nomination for the role, too.)

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

At the Writers Guild of America Awards in 1995, Claire Danes had her signature pose down (not to mention her signature hair color and red lip).

Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Romeo + Juliet'

Who could forget Claire Danes' star turn opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1996 teen dream Romeo + Juliet?

Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio on the Red Carpet

The stars' 1996 press tour was pretty epic, too.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

At the 1997 premiere of Good Will Hunting in L.A., Claire Danes had a miniskirt moment.

Claire Danes and Winona Ryder on the Red Carpet

In another very '90s collaboration, Winona Ryder and Claire Danes starred in the 1994 ensemble drama Little Women (with fellow '90s queen Kirsten Dunst) and continued hanging out in the years that followed, like here at the 1996 Fire and Ice Ball to Benefit the Revlon UCLA Women's Cancer Center.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

For the 1996 Hollywood premiere of the witchy film The Craft, Claire Danes dressed appropriately.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

It was all-black everything (plus some dramatic eye makeup) for Claire Danes at the 1997 APLA benefit gala in Santa Monica.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

Claire Danes' 1997 baby blue Oscars look was everything.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

At the 1997 Rainmaker premiere in L.A., Claire Danes could've passed for a Calvin Klein model.

Claire Danes on the Red Carpet

Claire Danes was a vision in white at the 1998 premiere of Les Misérables in N.Y.C.

A Young Claire Danes

Happy Birthday, Claire Danes!

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