19 Intriguing Details About My So-Called Life

August 25, 1994, marked the day Claire Danes brought Angela Chase to life in the iconic yet short-lived teen drama My So-Called Life. As we celebrate the show's 25th anniversary, let's revisit this trailblazing series.

1. The role of Angela Chase was nearly given to Alicia Silverstone.

Claire Danes ultimately portrayed Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, but Alicia Silverstone, then relatively unknown, was also in the running. Series co-executive producer Marshall Herskovitz felt the 16-year-old Silverstone was "too pretty" to embody the character's confusion, leading to the selection of 13-year-old Danes, who better captured the essence of an awkward teen. Silverstone later rose to fame with her breakout role as Cher Horowitz in Clueless the following year.

2. A.J. Langer also tried out for the part of Angela.

Danes faced competition not only from Silverstone but also from A.J. Langer, who auditioned for Angela Chase. Langer was eventually cast as Rayanne Graff, Angela’s troubled yet loyal best friend.

3. Rickie Vasquez made history as the first openly gay teenager on American network television.

Wilson Cruz brought Enrique “Rickie” Vasquez to life in My So-Called Life. While gay characters had appeared on TV prior to 1994—such as Billy Crystal’s Jodie Dallas on Soap in 1977—Rickie Vasquez was the first openly gay teenage character on a U.S. network series.

4. Jared Leto nearly declined the opportunity to play Jordan Catalano.

Jordan Catalano was initially planned to appear only in the pilot of My So-Called Life. However, series creator Winnie Holzman recalled that once Jared Leto was filmed, it became clear he needed to be a recurring character. Leto, however, was uncertain about accepting the role, as he was more inclined toward art school than acting at the time. Holzman noted, "I remember sensing his hesitation. I was concerned he wasn’t fully committed to the part. He seemed torn, though I might be reading into it."

5. Tino remained an unseen character throughout the series.

Tino was frequently referenced in My So-Called Life, but the character never made an on-screen appearance during the show’s run.

6. The series was filmed at an actual high school.

While Liberty High School is set in Pittsburgh, My So-Called Life was filmed at University High School in Los Angeles. Production occurred during the academic year, requiring students, teachers, and classes to relocate to unused areas of the school. This location also served as a backdrop for 7th Heaven, Joan of Arcadia, and Arrested Development.

7. Winnie Holzman, the series creator, made a cameo appearance.

Holzman portrayed Mrs. Krzyzanowski, a teacher, in the episode titled “Father Figures.” Her appearance was limited to just one episode throughout the series.

8. Jared Leto’s brother also appeared on the show.

Shannon Leto, Jared Leto’s older brother, appeared on My So-Called Life as Shane, the drummer for Jordan Catalano’s band, Frozen Embryo. Later, in 1998, the brothers formed the rock band 30 Seconds To Mars, with Jared as the lead singer and guitarist and Shannon as the drummer.

9. Bess Armstrong was given a unique nickname.

Bess Armstrong, who portrayed Angela’s mother Patty Chase, earned the nickname “Precious Poodle” during the filming of My So-Called Life. The moniker was bestowed by Mary Kay Place, who played Camille Cherski, Sharon’s mother.

10. Only two episodes lack an Angela Chase voiceover.

Angela Chase narrates nearly every episode, with the exceptions of “Weekend,” narrated by Danielle Chase, and “Life of Brian,” narrated by Brian Krakow. Both episodes were directed by Todd Holland.

11. My So-Called Life struggled against tough competition.

Despite critical acclaim, My So-Called Life struggled to attract a large audience due to its challenging time slot. It aired on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. EST, competing with NBC’s Mad About You and Friends, as well as Fox’s Martin and Living Single.

12. The series also aired on MTV.

Prior to ABC canceling My So-Called Life in 1995, episodes were broadcast on MTV’s Buzz Bin, a programming block known for showcasing alternative bands of the mid-'90s. This was an effort to attract viewers to the struggling teen drama.

13. Fans launched a campaign to save the show.

In 1995, fans initiated Operation Life Support, a brief but passionate campaign to rescue My So-Called Life from cancellation. This marked one of the first online fan efforts to save a TV show. Supporters sent thousands of letters to ABC and rallied on AOL, urging the network to renew the series for a second season.

Despite the campaign, ABC canceled My So-Called Life after a single 19-episode season due to poor ratings and Claire Danes’ decision not to continue as Angela Chase. In 1996, Danes starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

14. Claire Danes earned a Golden Globe for her performance.

At just 15 years old in 1994, Claire Danes won a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role as Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, surpassing Jane Seymour, Heather Locklear, and Angela Lansbury. Danes later earned three more Golden Globes: one in 2011 for Temple Grandin and two for her portrayal of Carrie Mathison in Showtime’s Homeland in 2012 and 2013.

15. Claire Danes wasn’t the only cast member to win awards.

In 1995, My So-Called Life received three Youth In Film Awards, including Best New Family Television Series and Best Performance by a Youth Ensemble. Lisa Wilhoit, who played Danielle Chase, shared the Best Youth Actress in a Drama Series award with J. Madison Wright from Earth 2. Devon Gummersall, who portrayed Brian Krakow, was nominated for Best Youth Actor in a Drama Series but lost to Shawn Toovey of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

16. A follow-up book was released.

In 1999, Catherine Clark authored My So-Called Life Goes On, a novelization that expanded on the lives of Angela Chase and her friends. The book, now a collector’s item, sells for over $80 on Amazon.

17. Graham Chase was ranked among TV’s best dads by TIME.

Tom Irwin’s portrayal of Graham Chase earned him a spot on TV Guide’s list of the Top 50 TV Dads of All Time. He joined iconic figures like Philip Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Mike Brady from The Brady Bunch.

18. The series is mentioned in the film Juno.

In 2007, Diablo Cody’s Oscar-winning film Juno included a nod to My So-Called Life. Michael Cera’s character, Paulie Bleeker, mentions reuniting the band, prompting Juno MacGuff to quip, “Once Tino gets a new drumhead, we're just like ready to rock.”

19. The Ataris drew inspiration from the series.

The Indiana-based pop-punk/emo band The Ataris penned a track titled “My So-Called Life,” reflecting frontman Kristopher Roe’s fascination with Claire Danes.

This story has been updated for 2019.