Look Back at Young Claire Danes as a Rising Hollywood Star

L'OFFICIEL celebrates the Homeland actress' birthday by looking at her early path to career success.

At only 15, a young Claire Danes and her parents left the SoHo loft she grew up in and moved to Hollywood so she could pursue acting full-time. In 1994, she landed her breakout role in the TV series My So-Called Life. She starred opposite a young Jared Leto in the show about the realities of the average '90s teenager. While it only aired for a single season, the show gained a large cult following and Danes received a Golden Globe award for her performance.

After the show's cancellation, Danes moved on to star in more films, including the 1996 blockbuster Romeo + Juliet alongside a young Leonardo DiCaprio. The film was a box office hit, albeit cementing her leading-lady status. However, after being offered the lead role in Titanic, Danes turned it down because, as she explains, "It was going to propel me to something I knew I didn’t have the resources to cope with."

After a brief stint at Yale University in the late '90s, Danes dropped out to fully commit herself to her acting. She starred in a number of films throughout the 2000s, including Evening, where she met her future husband Hugh Dancy. Then, in 2011, she began her role as Carrie Mathison on the long-running TV show Homeland, earning her two Emmys and two Golden Globes.

Her illustrious and exciting career created several cultural touchstones throughout the '90s and early 2000s. To celebrate her 44th birthday, L'OFFICIEL remembers the best moments from Danes' early years in the spotlight.

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Danes grew up on Crosby Street in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. However, she and her parents moved to California after she landed her first major acting role.

Young Claire Danes as Angela in "My So-Called Life."

In “My So-Called Life,” Danes stars as Angela, a teenager finding her way through high school with a new group of friends.

Young Claire Danes and Jared Leto in "My So-Called Life."

Jared Leto also makes his TV debut as Angela’s love interest, the brooding Jordan Catalano.

Claire Danes in Interview Magazine 1995.

In 1995, the actress appears in an issue of Interview Magazine about the trials and tribulations of the average ‘90s teen.

In 1995, Danes wins a Golden Globe for the role, which launched the 16-year-old into the ranks of Young Hollywood.

Her red carpet appearances became more frequent as her show gained a cult following, despite only airing for a single season.

In 1995, she attends the MTV VMAs in a shiny gold dress under a leather jacket with her formerly auburn hair back to its natural blonde.

Claire Danes stars as Juliet in Baz Lurhman's "Romeo and Juliet."

The following year, the actress replaces Natalie Portman as one of the eponymous star-crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.”

Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio star alongside each other in "Romeo and Juliet."

She and her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio are praised for their portrayals of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters.

Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio walk the red carpet for "Romeo and Juliet."

The on-screen couple walk the red carpet for the film’s premiere.

Danes arrives at the 1996 MTV VMAs in a black and white matching set with a petite bag to go with it.

Claire Danes arrives at the 1997 Academy Awards.

In 1997, the actress arrives at the Academy Awards with a new blonde bob and a chic blue gown.

Claire Danes makes name of herself as a trendsetter.

As she continues to make a name for herself as a trendsetter, she is invited to the VH1 Fashion Awards later that year.

Claire Danes and Winona Ryder poses for picture.

When she isn't on a movie set on attending events, Danes is often spotted with her friend and former “Little Women” co-star Winona Ryder in the '90s.

Claire Danes attends red carpet in zebra print top.

By the end of the decade, Danes cements herself a member of Hollywood’s new generation of talent.

Claire Danes is called the "young Meryl Streep."

After often being called a “young Meryl Streep,” the two actresses star as mother and daughter in the 2002 film “The Hours.”

Claire Danes startings dating Billy Crudup in 2003.

In 2003, Danes begins dating actor Billy Crudup, which causes quite the scandal as it sparks his breakup with his then-partner Mary-Louise Parker, who is seven months pregnant with his child. They broke up three years later.