Claire Danes

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Claire Catherine Danes was born April 12th 1979, New York, USA. She's the youngest of two children, brought up, as she says, in a "very creative household." Her mother, a painter and teacher, and her father, a computer consultant, met in art school and have always encouraged their daughter's interests in the arts.

At the age of six Claire began studying modern dance, which she still continues to do. At nine, she took an acting class at the Lee Strasberg Studio. In the sixth and seventh grade she attended the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, a public school run by the city, where Claire gravitated again towards acting. In addition, she credits her love of gymnastics, which she pursued for several years, for teaching her discipline.

Claire's acting career began with stage appearances on Broadway, in productions of 'Happiness', 'Punk Ballet' and 'Kids on Stage', in which she choreographed a solo dance piece. Among her television credits are 'Law and Order', in which she plays a young model who kills her agent. Also appearances in 'No Room For Opal', as Tyne Daly's daughter and 'The Coming Out of Heidi Leiter', as a gay woman's sister.

Claire made her film debut at the age of 11 in the role of a molested child in 'Dreams of Love'. She also appeared in a short film, 'Thirty', created for fashion designer Geoffrey Beene and in a film festival short, 'The Pesky Suitor', with Sully Boyar.

In 1993 she came to L.A. to be cast on a role in 'Schlindlers List', when she was discovered for the role in 'My So Called Life'. Steven Spielberg finally gave her the role but she turned it down, because they weren't willing to give her schooling in Poland. In 1996 she dated actor Matt Damon and in 1997 was chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, in the same year she was considered for the title role in 'Lolita' and auditioned and was first choice for the role of Rose in 'Titanic'.

She started attending Yale university in the Autumn of 1998 and in September 1998 was banned from the Philippines for making derogatory remarks about the country. The President of the Philippines condemned her publicly.

In 1999 she auditioned for the role of Lisa in 'Girl Interrupted'. Some other big roles came along and 'T3 Rise of the Machines' can surely be added to her growing list of films.

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