Claire Danes, known for her role in “Homeland,” once teamed up with heartthrob Zac Efron for the film “Me and Orson Welles.” Despite having collaborated with various leading men throughout her career, Danes found Efron’s popularity to be the most intimidating.
In the 2008 movie, Efron portrayed an aspiring actor, while Danes played a production assistant. Working with Efron, Danes was impressed by his acting skills and agility, particularly in the dance scenes. However, it was Efron’s fame at the time that posed a challenge for Danes. Although she had worked with renowned actors like Jared Leto and Leonardo DiCaprio, she felt that Efron’s level of fame was on a whole different scale.
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Describing her experience, Danes revealed, “He’s like, really famous. It’s different. It’s wild. I’ve never witnessed someone having such a strong influence on numerous teenagers. It was astonishing! Girls camped outside our hotel room for days, chanting, ‘We want Zac!’ It was kind of terrifying.”
Similarly, Efron admitted to feeling nervous about working with Danes, given her talent and beauty. He expressed a desire not to disappoint her and hoped that she would not question his abilities as a relatively new actor.
Danes had always been cautious about pursuing excessive fame. Witnessing the toll it took on other celebrities, such as Britney Spears, she actively avoided situations that could lead to a similar level of notoriety. In fact, Danes once revealed that she turned down a role in the blockbuster film “Titanic” alongside DiCaprio because she wasn’t ready to handle the potential impact on her life.
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Looking back, Danes said, “I felt like I was getting close to that level of fame, and I didn’t want it. Seeing the fame of celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston in documentaries had a deep impact on me.”
Danes took a hiatus from acting to focus on her college education at Yale University. During this time, she delved into her studies, building a strong sense of self away from the Hollywood limelight. Immersed in her education, she almost forgot that she was an actor. After three years, however, she realized how much she missed acting and made the decision to return to the film industry.
Despite her break from acting, Danes had no regrets. She recognized the importance of establishing a foundation for herself before navigating the potentially overwhelming world of fame and celebrity.
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In conclusion, Claire Danes found working with Zac Efron to be both exciting and intimidating due to his immense popularity. She admired his talent as an actor and his impressive dance skills. However, Danes was taken aback by the overwhelming fame surrounding Efron at the time. Her aversion to excessive fame influenced her decisions, including turning down a role in “Titanic.” Taking a break from acting, Danes focused on her education, but eventually, she felt a strong pull back to her acting career.
