Claire Danes

Claire Danes walking her dog Ouija.

Ouija is a Schnoozle, a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle. Ouija is her first pet and Claire got pretty close to it saying, "I understand why people have dogs. Better to have a dog than a baby."

Sweet Claire Danes has been acting since the age of 12. She became popular in the 1996 Romeo and Juliet opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, when she was only 16. Claire took time off to for her education, doing two years of psychology in Yale, which she did not complete.

More recently Claire Danes was in Stardust (2007) and last year's Me and Orson Welles with Zac Efron.



Claire Danes at the premiere of Terminator 3 (left) and in a photoshoot for Elle Magazine (right). "I always feel kind of defeated by how often I wear jeans," says 29-year old Claire Danes. "Plus I have a real weakness for animals on clothing, and hearts and stars. My mom had a nursery school in our loft and a pretty healthy appreciation for kitsch, so I think I appropriated that."

Among the designers whose clothes Claire Danes likes wearing are, Jane Mayle, Narciso Rodriguez, who designed the outfit she wore to the Oscars at the age of 17, and Zac Posen, a neighborhood friend who sketched pieces for her back when they were in high school. "I do genuinely, objectively, if that's possible, love their designs. I know how their clothes work on my body," she says, "and it’s a great excuse to just run over and say hi."



Late last year Claire Danes was signed on to be an exclusive model and face of Gucci Jewelry. In this photo (by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin) Claire shows off a flamboyant ring and bracelet. Danes is presently dating Hugh Dancy. In the past she has had relationships with Billy Crudup and Matt Damon. As a teenage girl, Claire Danes' first onscreen kiss was also her first kiss in real life!



Claire is 5'5½" and has a slim body, although now she is putting on some muscle. In fact Claire Danes has become passionate about working out; her trainer is Joe Dowdell who makes her do a mix of cardio and weight training. She's a New York gal, born and raised, and is also a trained dancer who enjoys performing there. "I really like expressing myself," says Danes who will star in, and as, Temple Grandin this year.