"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Claire Danes real name?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Claire Catherine Danes (born April 12, 1979) is an American actress. Prolific in film and television since her teens, she is the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What city was My So-Called Life based on?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"My So-Called Life is an American teen drama television series. It takes place at the fictional Liberty High School, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main character is Angela Chase. She is played by Claire Danes."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What was supposed to happen in the second season of My So-Called Life?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In an interview with Vulture, Holzman claimed that a second series would have seen Jordan winning Angela back and Brian hooking up with Delia, despite the fact that Brian and Angela would both rather be with each other."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where is Ricky from My So-Called Life now?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Wilson Cruz

Rickie was the first openly gay teenager to appear on American network television and he struggled with others not accepting his sexuality. Since his time on My So-Called Life, Wilson has appeared in films like Joyride, He's Just Not That Into You and TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Ally McBeal and more."}}]}}

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (2024)

For a brief period of time in the mid-'90s, My So-Called Life was the most realistic depiction on television of what it meant to be a teenager. The one-season wonder, which starred Claire Danes as the moody high schooler Angela Chase, tackled heavy topics not often discussed on TV at the time —including drug abuse and homophobia —with unflinching realism.

Cast members like Danes, Jared Leto, and Wilson Cruz soon found further success in the entertainment world following the show's unfortunate cancellation in 1995. Let's take a look at where the stars of My So-Called Life are now, three decades after the show's premiere.

01of 09

Claire Danes (Angela Chase)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (1)

Claire Danes picked up early work with shorts and minor TV credits in the '90s before landing her breakout role as Angela Chase on My So-Called Life. The then-teenage star played the relatable high school student until the show's wrap in 1995, also hitting the big screen as Beth March in 1994's Little Women during this time.

In a 2018 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Danes recalled filming one of the more intimate scenes from My So-Called Life with costar Jared Leto. "There were these stage directions in that scene where it says 'Angela kisses Jordan’s face,' and I was like, 'What? What isthatabout? Why would she kiss his face?'" Danes remembered. "I had that question on set, and he had to try to teach me. It's ridiculous!"

Danes returned to film soon after the series ended, starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996), and going on to appear in The Rainmaker (1997), Igby Goes Down (2002), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), The Family Stone (2005), and Stardust (2007) before she landed her first Emmy for the 2010 HBO film Temple Grandin.

The actress is now perhaps best known for her Emmy-winning role of Carrie Mathison on Homeland, a gig she held from 2011 to 2020. She also appeared in such miniseries as The Essex Serpent, Fleishman Is in Trouble, and Full Circle.

Danes has been married since 2009 to fellow actor Hugh Dancy, with whom she shares three children.

02of 09

Jared Leto (Jordan Catalano)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (2)

After making a few small-screen appearances in one-off episodes of '90s shows, Jared Leto landed his first major role as My So-Called Life's Jordan Catalano. He played the high school rebel through the drama's 1995 finale, reuniting with costar Danes months later for How to Make an American Quilt (1995).

Because of how short-lived My So-Called Life ended up being, Leto admittedly doesn't have the strongest of relationships with the series all these years later. "I think for some people, especially girls at that time, it mirrored something in their lives," he told Rolling Stone in 2016. "I don't know. It did make an impact for people, but it's always been so imbalanced with what the experience was for me in my own life."

Following the show's ending, Leto added to his filmography, earning credits for Urban Legend (1998), Girl, Interrupted (1999), Requiem for a Dream (2000), Panic Room (2002), Lord of War (2005), and Mr. Nobody (2009). The performer also worked on his music career during this time, dropping studio albums as the frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Leto nabbed an Oscar in 2014 thanks to his celebrated turn as Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club (2013), and took on the roles of the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016) and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Paolo Gucci in House of Gucci (2021), the title role in Morbius (2022), and Ares in Tron: Ares (2025).

Leto dated Cameron Diaz from 1999 to 2003 and model Valerie Kaufman from 2016 to 2022.

03of 09

A.J. Langer (Rayanne Graff)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (3)

A.J. Langer kicked off her acting career in the late-'80s and picked up early roles in episodes of Drexell's Class, Blossom, The Wonder Years, and Baywatch before landing a part on My So-Called Life as Rayanne Graff, playing the eccentric pal to Angela and Rickie.

“With her, all my self-consciousness disappeared; she was very liberating,” Langer told author A.S. Berman of playing Rayanne. "To me, who was quite a people pleaser, there was a joy, a freedom."

Langer kept busy over the next decade, popping up in episodes of Coach, Seinfeld, and It's Like, You Know..., as well as the 1996 film Escape From L.A.

The actress — who married royalty in 2005 when she exchanged nuptials with Charles Courtenay, 19th Earl of Devon, with whom she shares two children — slowed down her career, doing a stint as Erica Warner on Private Practice from 2011 to 2012 and hitting Lifetime in the 2013 TV movie Kristin's Christmas Past.

04of 09

Wilson Cruz (Enrique "Rickie" Vasquez)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (4)

Wilson Cruz picked up his first onscreen role with My So-Called Life, breaking TV grounds by playing a teen LGBTQ+ Latinx character, Rickie Vasquez, as an out, gay actor — a rare feat for TV during the '90s.

"I took [the role] as an opportunity to shed light on LGBT youth issues and give a voice to young people," Cruz told EW in 2018. "I felt like, at that time, there weren't a lot of people who were willing to take those roles. Here I was, not only willing but excited to take them — and to make a difference because of them."

He followed up the debut gig with big-screen turns in Nixon (1995), All Over Me (1997), Supernova (2000), Party Monster (2003), and He's Just Not That Into You (2009), and small-screen roles on Ally McBeal, Party of Five, and The West Wing. Cruz has also earned onscreen credits for Grey's Anatomy, 13 Reasons Why, and Star Trek: Discovery, and voiced roles on The Bravest Knight and The Casagrandes.

05of 09

Devon Gummersall (Brian Krakow)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (5)

Devon Gummersall picked up one of his first roles as My So-Called Life's Brian Krakow.

"When we saw the first cut of the pilot, we all watched it together, and were just so proud of it and blown away," Gummersall told Elle in 2016. "We were in love with the experience and each other… and then the show wasn't picked up. All the actors got together and had this pow-wow; we were so devastated. We couldn't believe that something so good could be ignored."

The actor — who had previously appeared on Step by Step and Blossom — followed his turn as the smart student with credits for It's My Party (1996), Independence Day (1996), Felicity, Dick (1999), Roswell, and The L Word. Gummersall has also appeared in episodes of iZombie, Mad Men, and 9-1-1.

My So-Called Life creator on whether Angela would have picked Jordan or Brian in season 2

06of 09

Devon Odessa (Sharon Cherski)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (6)

Devon Odessa joined My So-Called Life as Angela's childhood friend, Sharon Cherski.

"Everyone I meet thinks they went to high school with me," Odessa told Elle of the impact of the series. "It's really funny."

The rising star filled the next decade with projects like Campfire Tales (1997), Nowhere (1997), and The Omega Code (1999), as well as episodes of Pacific Blue, Touched by an Angel, and That's So Raven. Odessa has intermittently returned to the screen, in a 2011 episode of Private Practice, the 2018 short film Blink, and the 2024 horror film Shark Girl.

07of 09

Bess Armstrong (Patty Chase)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (7)

My So-Called Life found its Patty Chase in Bess Armstrong, who played Angela's mother.

"No matter how late I got home, the tyranny of my schedule was that my children were going to be getting up between 6:15 and 6:30 and I needed to make their lunches, pack their lunch boxes, feed them breakfast, make sure they got dressed, and on some days actually run carpool," Armstrong recalled to A.S. Berman of the show's filming schedule. "But it’s just a version of what families are doing in any industry now to a certain extent, right? It’s always that juggling of careers and family. You don't want to shortchange anybody, but that means that you burn your candle at both ends."

The Jaws 3-D alum went on to book gigs in Pecker (1998), Diamond Men (2000), and episodes of Touched by an Angel, The Nanny, Frasier, and One Tree Hill. Armstrong did a 10-episode stint on House of Lies as Julianne Hotschragar; played Professor Beth Marillo on Switched at Birth; joined Bosch as Judge Donna Sobel; and played Eileen Lim on The Good Doctor.

Armstrong has been married to executive John Fiedler since 1986.

08of 09

Tom Irwin (Graham Chase)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (8)

Tom Irwin found his spot on My So-Called Life as Angela's father, Graham Chase. Irwin came into the role after building up his résumé in the '80s and early-'90s, earning credits for Light of Day (1987), Midnight Run (1988), Men Don't Leave (1990), Deceived (1991), and My Life and Times.

Irwin looks back on his My So-Called Life experience fondly, especially working with Armstrong as his onscreen wife. "There were several times when we would finish the scene and then Bess and I would just sit there in bed and talk for another hour or two, and just hang out on the set," he told Elle. "I loved working with her."

The actor followed My So-Called Life with a string of TV movies, then went on to appear in The Haunting (1999), 21 Grams (2003), (2008), On the Basis of Sex (2018), Amsterdam (2022), and episodes of Without a Trace, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and Devious Maids. Irwin also has a recurring role on Apple TV+'s The Morning Show as UBA president Fred Micklen.

09of 09

Lisa Wilhoit (Danielle Chase)

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (9)

Lisa Wilhoit signed on to play Danielle Chase, the younger sister to Angela, on My So-Called Life. Wilhoit landed the gig after making an uncredited appearance in 1991's Hook, and followed up with roles in Adam and Eve (2005), The Kid & I (2005), and episodes of Social Studies, The Tom Show, 7th Heaven, and Greek.

Her most recent credit is for Family Guy, on which she has voiced Connie D'Amico for more than 20 years.

My So-Called Life cast reunites after 26 years — with one major exception

'My So-Called Life' turns 30: See the cast then and now (2024)

FAQs

Who does Angela Chase end up with? ›

Upon meeting Jordan and hearing his side of what happened between him and Rayanne, Patty gives her blessing for him to date Angela again. The show's finale implies that Angela chooses Jordan over Brian, even though she knows the love letter was actually written by Brian and that he is also in love with her.

How old was Angela in My So-Called Life? ›

On Aug. 25, 1994, audiences met the introspective 15-year-old Angela Chase (Claire Danes), her bad boy crush Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto) and the rest of the crew at Liberty High.

How old were Claire Danes and Jared Leto in My So-Called Life? ›

For instance, these days, a 21-year-old Jared Leto having an onscreen relationship with his 14-year-old co-star Claire Danes probably wouldn't fly. But back in 1994, when My So-Called Life aired on TV, it was accepted, and, not surprisingly, Leto had to guide young Danes through their romantic scenes.

Does My So-Called Life have a ending? ›

The final episode of the series, "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" is notable for featuring a moment in which Ricky says out loud that he's gay — "a first for both the character and network television." While doing publicity for the show at the time, Cruz made a point of communicating that he was gay in real life.

Who does Angela have a baby with? ›

Portrayed by

Phillip Schrute (born Phillip Halsted Lipton) is the son of Dwight Schrute and Angela Martin. He was named after Angela's cat, Phillip.

Who does Angela end up marrying? ›

Dwight Schrute

However, the two come together and get married in the final season. See Dwight-Angela Relationship.

Why did My So-Called Life get cancelled? ›

The main reason chosen by the network was low ratings. Despite Operation Life Support and other efforts to save the show, ABC still made the decision to cancel it. Episodic television puts a lot of demands on cast and crew, especially teenage actors who must also balance their work with their schoolwork.

How old was Claire Danes when she did My So-Called Life? ›

In the '90s, when many American teens had pinups of Jared Leto on their bedroom walls, his My So-Called Life co-star Claire Danes was decidedly not enjoying her kissing scenes with him. That's mostly because Danes was just 14, while her leading man was 21.

Do we ever meet Tino in My So-Called Life? ›

An oft-mentioned character who was never actually seen.

What is Jared Leto's real last name? ›

Jared Joseph Leto (/ˈlɛtoʊ/ LEH-toh; born December 26, 1971) is an American actor and musician.

What to watch after My So-Called Life? ›

What is Claire Danes real name? ›

Claire Catherine Danes (born April 12, 1979) is an American actress. Prolific in film and television since her teens, she is the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.

What city was My So-Called Life based on? ›

My So-Called Life is an American teen drama television series. It takes place at the fictional Liberty High School, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main character is Angela Chase. She is played by Claire Danes.

What was supposed to happen in the second season of My So-Called Life? ›

In an interview with Vulture, Holzman claimed that a second series would have seen Jordan winning Angela back and Brian hooking up with Delia, despite the fact that Brian and Angela would both rather be with each other.

Where is Ricky from My So-Called Life now? ›

Wilson Cruz

Rickie was the first openly gay teenager to appear on American network television and he struggled with others not accepting his sexuality. Since his time on My So-Called Life, Wilson has appeared in films like Joyride, He's Just Not That Into You and TV shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Ally McBeal and more.

Who does Angela from Bones end up with? ›

During this time, Angela dates intern Wendell Bray, but she marries Hodgins in season five and gives birth to their son, Michael Vincent, in season six. Her birth name is Pookie Noodlin, as revealed in the 10th season.

Who does Angela from the office end up with? ›

Dwight (Rainn Wilson) — fresh off his promotion to regional manager of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, and learning from Angela that he's the dad of her son Phillip — gets married to Angela (Angela Kinsey). The big event is what much of the finale revolves around.

Does Angela end up with anyone? ›

In "A.A.R.M.", Dwight proposes to Angela and she finally reveals to him that he is indeed the father of Phillip. She accepts the proposal and they are married in the series finale.

Does Tony end up with Angela on Who's the Boss? ›

At the start of season eight, Tony and Angela finally acknowledge their love for each other. However, the series does not end with the widely expected marriage but on a more ambiguous note. This was due primarily to concerns by the network that a marriage, representing a definitive ending, could hurt syndication.

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