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Claire Danes Reflects on Navigating Intimacy as Young Actress
2 Nov
Summary
- Danes, 46, recalls feeling "awkward" kissing Leto, 21, on My So-Called Life
- Danes says she "didn't know how to interpret the stage directions" for intimate scenes
- Danes credits her parents and Jodie Foster for protecting her on set as a child actor

Acclaimed actress Claire Danes, now 46 years old, has opened up about the challenges she faced navigating intimate scenes as a young teenager on the hit '90s TV show My So-Called Life. In a recent interview, Danes recalled the "awkwardness" of filming kissing scenes with her 21-year-old co-star Jared Leto, who played her character's on-screen crush, Jordan Catalano.
Danes, who was just 14 when she landed the role of Angela Chase, admitted that she "didn't know how to interpret the stage directions" for the intimate moments. "I had barely kissed a boy and here I was making out with this Adonis, and I didn't even know what that meant," she told the interviewer.
Despite the significant age gap between the two actors, Danes said she never felt exploited on set, crediting the "bona fide benevolent grownups" who ensured a "very solid, sane environment." Danes' parents were also always present to protect her and make sure her needs were met.




