by jim



Behind the lightning eyes and the broad, raidant smile lies a very talented actress. She tore through the "it's like, you know, something" dialouge of "My So-Called Life" and made it seem like poetry. Her earnest performance as Angela Chase caught the attention of two of Hollywood's big shot ladies, first Winona Ryder, then Jodie Foster. Ryder's insistance upon having Danes as her co-star led to her tear inducing turn as the frail Beth in "Little Women" and to a small role in "How to Make an American Quilt". Following that, Jodie Foster gave her the part of Holly Hunter's bold daughter in the overlooked "Home For the Holidays" and more recently in Jodie's oft-delayed "Flora Plum".

Not that Claire has had to rely on the support of her elders. She gathered up a Golden Globe for her time on "My So-Called Life" and became a role model for young girls everywhere. She sealed the adoration of her teen fanbase when she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's updated "William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet".

Her beauty is so inate and modest that it is unthreatening. Her acting is so natural that it is sometimes looked past. Even in the dreadful film "The Mod Squad", Claire remains consistant. Another Danes vehicle that deserves a look is "Brokedown Palace" with fellow rising young star Kate Beckinsale.

Claire earns her place in the Hall of Hot for being more then Angela Chase or Juliet. She is just Claire.