Claire Danes is climbing her way to the top of Hollywood's A-list -- with style and determination.

"Claire is going to be the coolest Julie ever in The Mod Squad." -- Giovanni Ribisi, The Mod Squad costar

"I know it seems strange, but we had a good time doing those hospital scenes in The Rainmaker -- even though it killed me that she had to look so awful. You really believed she was seriously hurt [she played an abused wife]. I kept wanting to bring her water or something and she would say, 'Matt, I'm really OK." -- Matt Damon, The Rainmaker costar

"[During the audition for Romeo and Juliet] Claire grabbed me by the back of the neck and kissed me, and I was like, 'Oh, what's going on here?' I was taken aback by the whole thing. But then I realized this girl knew what she was doing. She was tough, she knew the role, and I loved that about her." -- Leonardo DiCaprio, Romeo and Juliet costar

"We were determined not to just do a dumb teen show. Claire and I wanted to give our scenes emotions that young people could relate to." -- Jared Leto, My So-Called Life costar

"I met Claire right after My So-Called Life, when I was just an anonymous actor/college student. She was still very human and susceptible to the fears and insecurities that we all have. She didn't put up a front to hide all of that. She was very down-to-earth and very sweet." -- James Van Der Beek, I Love You, I Love You Not costar

"Claire has such a sparkle, and tons of charm and style," -- Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer

"Claire was so focused and so mature at ten years old [when she attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute], it was unbelievable. You could tell she was not just fooling around." -- Nancy Collins, director of The Young People's program at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute

© Seventeen - 1998