American actress Claire Danes has been active in both film and television since her teenage years. She has been honored with three Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In 2012, she was recognized by Time as one of the 100 most influential individuals globally.
Early Life
New York City native Claire Catherine Danes was born on April 12, 1979. She began taking dance lessons at the young age of six and later enrolled in acting classes at the age of 10.
Despite continuing her dance training, her focus shifted to acting at the age of nine. At 11 years old, she tried out for renowned director Miloš Forman and at 12, she secured a talent agent.
Claire Danes’ Acting Career
At the age of 13, Claire Danes landed her debut acting role on “Dudley,” the sitcom pilot starring actor Dudley Moore. However, the show was short-lived, with only six episodes airing on CBS in 1993.
Danes also made an appearance on an episode of “Law & Order” titled “Skin Deep,” where she portrayed a teenage killer. The following year, she took on the role of Beth March in the adaptation of “Little Women” in 1994.
In that very year, she received excellent feedback for her portrayal of Angela Chase in the show “My So-Called Life.” Although the series only ran for 19 episodes, it still has a dedicated fan base even now.
Following the conclusion of “My So-Called Life,” Danes landed roles in various movies such as “Home for the Holidays,” Baz Luhrmann’s version of “Romeo + Juliet,” “The Rainmaker,” “The Family Stone,” and “Terminator 2: Rise of the Machines,” among others.
In 2010, Claire Danes took on the lead role in HBO’s “Temple Grandin,” a biographical film about a woman with autism. Her portrayal received high praise, even from the real Temple Grandin.
Additionally, she earned recognition for her role, winning the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie in 2011.
From 2011 to 2020, Claire Danes starred as Carrie Mathison, a CIA agent struggling with bipolar disorder, in the Showtime series “Homeland.” She was honored with back-to-back Golden Globe awards for Best Actress in a Television Series in 2012 and 2013, as well as Emmy awards in those same years for her performance in the show.
Personal Life
In 1997, at her 18th birthday celebration, Claire Danes crossed paths with Ben Lee, an Australian musician and performer. After dating for six years, Danes and Lee ended their relationship.
In 2003, Danes began a romantic relationship with Billy Crudup. This caused turmoil as Crudup left his seven-month-pregnant partner, Mary-Louise Parker, for Danes. Unfortunately, their relationship ended in 2006.
Danes first crossed paths with Hugh Dancy while filming “Evening” in 2006. After becoming engaged in early 2009, the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in France later that same year. Their first child, Cyrus, was born in 2012, followed by their second son Rowan in 2018.
Net Worth
With a net worth of $35 million, Claire Danes is a well-known American actress. She made her debut on stage in New York and went on to star in numerous productions throughout the city. In 2010, she was awarded an Emmy for her role in “Temple Grandin,” which was followed by a Golden Globe and a SAG Award in 2011.
