My So-Called Life cast: Then and Now
Teen drama My So-Called Life may have had a short run, but it was certainly sweet.
The 19-episode series, which aired from 1994 to 1995, chronicled the life of Angela Chase, a teen girl who was just trying to figure it all out.
But what made the show a cult favourite was the way in which it explored major social issues of the '90s through the lens of a 15-year-old and her friends and family.
The show's creator Winnie Holzman told People, "I was just always looking under the surface. I was really thinking, first of all, no matter how beautiful you are physically, there's always the secret pain. Everyone is carrying some secret pain."
Angela was Claire Danes' breakout role and the show secured Jared Leto's heartthrob status.
Continue to see what the cast are up to, 30 years later.
Claire Danes: Then
Claire Danes played 15-year-old Angela Chase, who we find mid-identity crisis, having dyed her hair red in her bathroom.
Throughout the series we follow her story as she deals with friends, family, school –and for the first time, boys.
Claire Danes: Now
Danes' role as Angela won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, jump-starting her career.
From there she went on to star in Little Women, Romeo + Juliet, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and most prominently Carrie Mathison in Homeland.
Danes is now married to English actor Hugh Dancy, with whom she shares three children.
Kaley Cuoco: Then
A seconds-long cameo in a flashback led to a life of stardom for this little girl.
Kaley Cuoco starred as a young Angela Chase in the show, excited to welcome her father home.
Kaley Cuoco: Now
The role is only the third credit on her impressive resume, which also includes Charmed, 8 Simple Rules, and of course The Big Bang Theory.
Her most recent projects include voice roles as Harley Quinn.
She recently got engaged to her partner, actor Tom Pelphrey, with whom she shares her daughter Matilda.
A.J. Langer: Then
A.J. Langer played the eccentric best friend Rayanne Graff. Everything from her fashion to music taste screamed that she was the girl you wanted to be – unafraid to be herself.
But over the course of the series she also reveals her flaws - from fighting with Angela as friends do to more serious issues such as drug use.
A.J. Langer: Now
The actress took a very different path from her most renowned character - she became a member of British nobility.
Langer also starred in sitcoms like The Wonder Years, Baywatch, Drexell's Class, It's Like, You Know... and Three Sisters, among other projects.
In 2004, she wed attorney Charles Courtenay, the son of Hugh Courtenay, 18th Earl of Devon, holding the courtesy title of Lady Courtenay.
Upon her father-in-law's death , she officially became Countess of Devon.
After a six-year acting hiatus, which she later explained was due to a chronic pain condition called fibromyalgia, Langer appeared in 14 episodes of Private Practice in the recurring role of Erica Warner in 2011. Her run ended in 2012 when her character died.
In 2014 she and her family – including the couple's two children Lady Joscelyn Skye Courtenay and Jack Haydon Langer Courtenay, Lord Courtenay – relocated to London, and later to the family seat at Powderham Castle in May 2015.
But in November 2023, the actress's husband filed for divorce from her, with the couple separating.
Wilson Cruz: Then
Wilson Cruz played Rickie Vasquez, who throughout the series struggles with his sexuality and how his family would take it - though eventually finds himself
The character became the first openly queer character on primetime TV, and the first queer character of color.
Vasquez's declaration in the final episode where he says out loud that he is gay was a first for network television.
Wilson Cruz: Now
Cruz's character's journey reflected his own, with the actor having even been kicked out of the house by his father when he found out his son was gay, though they later reconciled.
When Cruz did publicity for the show, he made a point of communicating that he was gay in real life.
He has continued to act, most well-known as Victor in Party of Five, Dr. Hugh Culber on Star Trek: Discovery, and the recurring character Junito on Noah's Arc.
His most recent role was in 2024's Mother of the Bride.
He continues his activism in his work, having been on the board of directors of GLAAD in 1997 and now becomign thje new chair of the board of directors for GLSEN – both of which are organisations working to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Jared Leto: Then
Jared Leto secured his status as a heartthrob with his role as Jordan Catalano.
Leto was not meant to appear in the show past the pilot episode, but his acting and chemistry with Danes promoted him to a main cast member.
In the series, Jordan struggles with being committed to his lov interest Angela, as well as some learning difficulties.
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