This Is What Happened To The Cast Of Clueless
Almost a decade before teenagers wore pink on Wednesdays at North Shore High, they played suck and blow in the Valley in plaid and pumps in the '90s teen hit Clueless. Loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless follows the teenage shenanigans of popular student Cher Horowitz as she learns that there's more to life than shopping and parties. (But just try to stop her from indulging in some retail therapy. As if.)
Finding love and friendship along the way, the moderately ditzy teen played by Alicia Silverstone displays her smarts and compassion when she wants to alongside best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash) — both named after famous singers "who now do infomercials." Always ones for a makeover, the BFFs take new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) under their wing. Cher's newfound do-gooder attitude surprises her short-lived ex-stepbrother Josh (Paul Rudd) — who only used to see her as a "ditz with a credit card." Cue an only kind of weird romance.
So what happened to the Beverly Hills High teens (and adults) after they stopped forgetting their Cranberries CDs in the quad and finished scamming their teachers for better grades? Here's what the cast of Clueless has been up to since the closing credits rolled.
Alicia Silverstone (Cher): Most likely to crash her jeep
Since playing duchess of Beverly Hills High, Alicia Silverstone has led a vibrant film and TV career. Following Clueless, the actor, who got her start in Aerosmith music videos, dipped her toes in the DC comics pool in 1997, taking on the role of Batgirl in Batman & Robin. While Cher Horowitz will always be there to give fans a blast from the past, Silverstone dusted off her rom-com roots in 2004, where she played the Eve to Brendan Fraser's Adam in Blast From the Past.
Taking a leaf out of Mel Horowitz's book, Silverstone landed the starring role in the short-lived 2003 series Miss Match, playing a matrimonial lawyer who moonlights as a matchmaker. Cher would be proud (and so would Mel). Starring alongside other '90s mainstays like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr., Silverstone donned her best reporter voice to play Heather in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
For anyone who somehow didn't get enough of Elton and Cher in Clueless, Silverstone reunited with actor Jeremy Sisto on his 2011 show Suburgatory. Where do you go after being Queen B in high school? Become Queen V in Vamps alongside Krysten Ritter. Duh. But the '90s icon isn't above the role that launched her career: Silverstone donned her best Clueless yellow plaid for an unforgettable lip sync battle to Aerosmith's "Cryin" and Iggy Azalea's "Fancy." In 2018, she appeared in American Woman, and in 2020, she scored the mom role as Elizabeth in The Baby-Sitters Club reboot.
Paul Rudd (Josh): Most likely to listen to maudlin university radio music
Following Paul Rudd's tenure as post-adolescent idealist Josh in Clueless, he arguably became the film's biggest breakout star. While co-star Alicia Silverstone may have played a vampire, Rudd fans have a running joke that the actor is hiding a real-life undead secret — because he looks almost the same as he did in 1995. Just one year after his breakout role, he starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as Dave Paris in Romeo + Juliet. Later that year, he made a guest appearance on the Clueless TV show as Sonny, confusing and infuriating Josh and Cher shippers — as the series basically tossed their arc altogether.
Veering from classic to cult classic, Rudd appeared in Wet Hot American Summer beside Amy Poehler and Christopher Meloni in 2001. From there, he became Phoebe's endgame in Friends, quickly gaining stardom in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, where he starred alongside Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, and Steve Carell. Rudd later teamed up with Carell again for his timeless comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Working with Poehler once more, Rudd took on the role of politician Bobby Newport in Parks and Recreation.
After an Anchorman sequel, Rudd got his superhero on with a massive MCU role as Ant-Man (which is cooler than it sounds). In between numerous Marvel films, he also starred in two Wet Hot American Summer sequel series, Netflix's Living with Yourself, the Apple TV+ series The Shrink Next Door, and the movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife, among other projects.
Stacey Dash (Dionne): Most likely to exhibit courageous fashion
Unlike Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd, Stacey Dash was totally here for the Clueless TV series, reprising her role as Dionne for all three seasons of the show. Once she graduated from the '90s, Dash scored guest-starring roles in shows like The Strip and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
But move over, Silverstone. While the former had music videos on lock in the '90s, Dash performed alongside Kanye West in his 2004 music video "All Falls Down." Later, she scored recurring roles as Camille Rose in The Game and Valerie in Single Ladies.
When Hollywood decided that horror should actually be a meme instead of just providing the content for them, Sharknado was born — and horror would never be the same. Naturally, sharks and tornadoes make an incredibly believable plot for a film, leading Dash to star in the fourth film of the franchise, Sharknado: The 4th Awakens. Yet is there really a force stronger than love? 2020 offered its set of unprecedented obstacles, but with it came a lot of creative inspiration. Dash played Theresa in the quarantine show to end all quarantine shows, Finding Love in Quarantine.
Donald Faison (Murray): Most likely to go jeepin'
As Murray, Dionne's witty and charming boyfriend, Donald Faison's work in Clueless launched one of the most expansive careers of any of its breakout stars. Joining fellow alum Elisa Donovan, Faison scored a guest spot in Sabrina the Teenage Witch before reprising his role as Murray alongside Dash in the Clueless TV series. Marking his first big film since the '90s flick, Faison performed in Remember the Titans and Big Fat Liar a year later.
He didn't leave TV, either — playing long-term roles on Felicity and Clone High, and scoring a lead role as Dr. Christopher Turk in Scrubs from 2001 to 2010. (Did he get any sleep in the early 2000s?) Faison was destined to work with Scrubs co-star Zach Braff, as Clueless casting director Marcia Ross revealed to Vanity Fair that she thinks Braff read for Josh back in 1995. While fate gave Rudd the role, Braff and Faison became BFFs on and offscreen during Scrubs. During his time on the series, Faison also reunited with Clueless co-star Brittany Murphy for her film Uptown Girls.
And like many members of his Clueless fam, Faison has dipped his toes into the music video scene, starring in Fall Out Boy's video for "Beat It." The actor also appeared in Pitch Perfect and Kick-Ass 2, later starring in the TV series The Exes and Emergence. Faison also lent his voice to Hype Fazon (are they related?) in Star Wars Resistance and multiple Robot Chicken characters.
Wallace Shawn (Mr. Hall): Most likely to lowball his students
Wallace Shawn was arguably the biggest name in the Clueless cast in 1995, and fans can't picture anyone else playing the always baffled Mr. Hall, who's known by his students as "way harsh." It would be easier to chronicle what Shawn hasn't been in than what he has. Straight out of Clueless, the Princess Bride veteran voiced Rex in the Toy Story franchise. And like several of his co-stars, he reprised his Clueless role in the TV series. Focusing on the small screen for several years, Shawn went on to secure roles in Murphy Brown and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
In 2003, Shawn took on more voice roles, lending his voice to The Haunted Mansion and The Incredibles. After playing Dr. Howard in the early 2000s series Crossing Jordan, Shawn landed the role of Blaire's stepfather in Gossip Girl — a somewhat modern-day version of Clueless (minus the morals and likable characters). In 2012, Mr. Hall and Cher finally got a reunion when Shawn appeared in Alicia Silverstone's film Vamps. Between stints in The Good Wife, a slew of voice acting roles, She's Gotta Have It, Graves, Mozart in the Jungle, and Young Sheldon, Shawn doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Twink Caplan (Ms. Geist): Most likely to have runs in her stockings
Like Wallace Shawn, Twink Caplan headed over to the Clueless TV set following her role as "adorably clueless" Ms. Geist in the hit movie. Working with Clueless writer and director Amy Heckerling again, Caplan went on to star in her 2000 film Loser. From there, she guest-starred in multiple series like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Community, and Bad Teacher.
Throughout the years, Caplan has taken on numerous TV movie and indie film roles, demonstrating her love of acting for the art instead of fame. Through her uncredited role in A Night at the Roxbury, Clueless fans got a taste of the good times — as fellow alum Dan Hedya (Mel) also appeared in the film. In 2017, Caplan played a hairstylist in the pilot of Ryan Murphy's anthology series Feud: Bette and Joan.
Breckin Meyer (Travis): Most likely to show up late with a McMuffin
Following his delightful performance as Travis, Breckin Meyer went straight into his role as Mitt in the cult classic horror film The Craft. After a brief appearance in the Clueless TV show, Meyer appeared in LL Cool J's 1997 film Touch. The actor joined Clueless co-star Donald Faison to perform in the fictional band Love Burger in another '90s coming-of-age film, Can't Hardly Wait. Both actors also snagged small roles in Josie and the Pussycats in 2001. Meyer followed up the movie with Rat Race and Kate & Leopold.
Always finding a place in fun kids' movies, Meyer secured roles in Garfield, Herbie Fully Loaded, and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties. Alongside Clueless co-star Brittany Murphy, Meyer voiced Joseph Gribble and Mr. Haggerty in King of the Hill. No stranger to TV, he starred as Jared Franklin in Franklin & Bash, going on to guest star in Designated Survivor, SuperMansion, The Fix, Good Girls, and Robot Chicken. As it turns out, Meyer doesn't share Travis' lack of drive.
Elisa Donovan (Amber): Most likely to recycle yesterday's trends
During an interview with ET, Elisa Donovan revealed, "It took me, I think, until I was 30 to play a nice person." Her Queen B rival role as Ambuler, er, Amber in Clueless was just too real, but it didn't prevent her from landing roles — even if they were always a little Mean Girl. Donavan headed straight from Beverly Hills High to ... West Beverly Hills High? The actor scored a four-episode stint in the long-running teen drama series Beverly Hills, 90210, during the show's sixth season. Then she went back to Beverly Hills High again to reprise her role as Amber in the Clueless TV series. Donovan deserves a BHH plaque or honorary diploma or something.
To kick off the new millennium, Donovan played Morgan alongside Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. From there, she earned guest-starring roles in multiple shows like NCIS and The Lake, starring in TV movies in between. In 2011, Donovan played the lead role of Gayle in the series In Gayle We Trust, later reuniting with Joan Hart for her series Melissa and Joey. Now Donovan spends much of her time blogging, raising her daughter, and spreading awareness about eating disorders.
Jeremy Sisto (Elton): Most likely to misplace his Cranberries CD
After he was creepin' on Cher from behind her desk as Elton in Clueless, Jeremy Sisto went on to play an assortment of much less skeevy and/or even shadier characters in his varied catalog of films and TV shows. Following a slew of indie movies and small TV roles on shows like The Twilight Zone and Dawson's Creek, Sisto landed a major arc in the series Six Feet Under. A year after the show's conclusion, Sisto got a starring role in the short-lived 2006 series Kidnapped.
Hopefully, Elton left his possessive behavior after leaving the halls of Beverly Hills High. Yet if he hadn't, he definitely would have turned into his character Earl from the 2007 film Waitress — just with more privilege. The movie later became the inspiration for the hit Broadway show of the same name.
Sisto joined the likes of music video-starring castmates like Silverstone, Faison, and Dash when he appeared in the Maroon 5 music video "Wake Up Call." From there, he had a multi-season run as Detective Cyprus Lupo on Law & Order before starring in the series Suburgatory — later appearing in The Returned and Wicked City. The actor was also seen during a long-term role in the series FBI, later switching gears to voice King Runeard in Frozen II.
Dan Hedaya (Mel): Most likely to give the shovel talk
While Mel isn't featured in Clueless as often as most of the other characters, his domineering presence as Cher's dad looms large throughout the film. You do not want to get on his bad side (especially if you're dating his daughter). After Clueless debuted, Dan Hedaya went on to star in films like The First Wives Club, A Life Less Ordinary, Mulholland Drive, and Alien: Resurrection. The dynamic actor has also taken on a heap of TV guest-starring roles on a list of shows that includes ER, Monk, The Book of Daniel, Person of Interest, and The Mindy Project.
With no indication of retiring anytime soon, Hedya scored the role of the goblin bellboy Red in the Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. He later appeared as a guest star on TV series Gotham and Blue Bloods. Now we just need him to reunite with Alicia Silverstone for a new project. Hopefully, he's still eating his greens without her.
Justin Walker (Christian): Most likely to Blockbuster and chill with Tony Curtis films
After playing the only high school boy capable of keeping up with Cher's glamorous lifestyle, actor Justin Walker decided to throw in the towel on stardom himself, opting for a life out of the spotlight. However, his legacy as groundbreaking LGBTQ+ character Christian will never be forgotten. Following his breakout role as Christian in Clueless, he appeared in a few low-budget films like Last Resort, Born Bad, and Boltneck.
After one final film called Take Out, the actor officially called it quits in 2005. While Walker noted in Entertainment Weekly's 2012 Clueless reunion that Christian would probably be an "aging back up dancer for Lady Gaga," the former actor found his calling in the food industry instead. Walker opened up a Tacone Flavor Grill franchise in Rancho Mirage, California, where he focused on fusion food. Ironically, his final film centered around a character eliminating chain restaurants, but it seems to have inspired Walker to do the opposite. In 2010, he dusted off his acting chops to appear as an agent in the comedy short Truth... and everything else.
Brittany Murphy (Tai): Most likely to charm the masses
After playing the sweet-as-pie new girl Tai at Beverly Hills High, Brittany Murphy was in a car accident that would cause her jaw pain for the rest of her life. It didn't stop her from working, though. While she didn't reprise her role as Tai in the Clueless TV series, she guest-starred in one episode as a different character. She went on to play Daisy in Girl, Interrupted, later scoring roles in a series of high-profile movies in the early 2000s that included 8 Mile, Just Married, Uptown Girls, Little Black Book, and Sin City. In addition to screen roles, she lent her voice to Luanne Platter in King of the Hill for over a decade and voiced Gloria in Happy Feet.
Sadly, Murphy died on December 20, 2009, after a two-week bout with pneumonia. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she was on an antibiotic, migraine medicine, cough medicine, and nasal spray. The actor also had the antidepressant Prozac and the anxiety (and seizure) medication Klonopin in her system. Additionally, the tox screen showed an anti-inflammatory med, a beta-blocker, and PMS medication.
By all accounts, Murphy seemed to struggle with depression and anxiety during her final two years of life, playing the role of caretaker to her mom and husband. According to THR, those closest to Murphy and her husband Simon Monjack accused him of stoking Murphy's paranoia, causing her to distance herself from friends and family. Monjack's own mother theorized that he had developed Munchausen's Syndrome for attention.
Murphy's doctor noted that she probably could have been saved had she gone to the hospital earlier. Her shocking death has been the subject of public conjecture for over a decade, but we'll probably never know the full truth.