July 19, 2015

20 Years of 'Clueless' (Feel Old? As If!)

Paramount

Twenty years ago today, the beloved Amy Heckerling comedy "Clueless" hit theaters, gifting the '90s with its best and most beloved teen comedy, a film that redefined how kids talked by documenting real lingo and introducing plenty of its own.

Who knew a movie whose DNA includes strains of "Valley Girl" (1983) and Jane Austen's "Emma" (1815) could be so fetch? (Sorry, wrong teen classic.)

Since then, its legend has only grown. A 2012 reunion on "Good Morning America" merely fanned the fans' flames. Now, there are articles on "20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'Clueless'" and even "20 Lessons We Learned from 'Clueless' That Still Apply Today."

Check out this "Where Are They, Like, Now?" on the cast of the film that gave us the expressing "surfing the crimson wave" ...

[Creds: Paramount & Bruce Glikas/Getty Images]

Alicia Silverstone ("Cher"), age 38: As bubbly, not-quite-airheaded BH beauty "Cher," the film's star gave a performance no doubt closely studied by Reese Witherspoon when "Legally Blond" rolled around in 2001. Already a rising star for her work in "The Crush" (1994) and in Aerosmith's best comeback videos, her highest-profile role since was in 1997's "Batman & Robin," as "Batgirl." She has continued to act in many films, is an accomplished stage actress, and is one of Hollywood's most outspoken animal-rights activists and proponents of a vegan diet. She definitely sounds like she knows what she's talking about on those topics. Her 2009 book "The Kind Diet" and its 2014 follow-up "The Kind Mama" have been big sellers.

[Creds: Paramount & Michael Bezjian/WireImage/Getty Images]

Brittany Murphy ("Tai"), deceased: Murphy had the choice ugly-duckling-turns-into-beautiful-swan role of "Tai," a girl selected by "Cher" for a major makeover. The new Tai is "way harsh," and outshines the old Cher, leading to the latter's personal transformation, which defines the film. Murphy transformed into a beautiful swan in real life following the surprisingly gangbusters performance of "Clueless," appearing in "Girl, Interrupted" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (both 1999) and starring in a number of light vehicles in the 2000s. Sadly, she died in 2009 of pneumonia aggravated by multiple over-the-counter drugs.

[Creds: Paramount & Theo Wargo/Getty Images]

Stacey Dash ("Dionne"), 47: As "Dionne," Dash presented an astereotypical portrait of a black teen (she was pushin' 30 at the time ... that's acting!) in relation to what many other Hollywood movies were peddling: She was hilariously witty, rich, and had enough of a backbone to refuse to do things like play "games where balls fly at my nose." In short, she was not there to provide some diversity, Dionne was there because she was a real, fake person, like all the others. Since 1995, Dash has appeared in over 20 films, and was a lead on the 1996—1999 TV series version of the movie. Since 2014, the conservative Dash, not one to mince words, has been a political commentator for Fox News.

[Creds: Paramount & Mike Pont/Getty Images]

Paul Rudd ("Josh"), 46: The biggest break-out star of "Clueless" is Rudd, with his painfully cute portrait of "Josh," the crush who drove "Cher" wild. Since the movie came out, he's worked steadily, including in the stylish hit "Romeo + Juliet" (1996) and as part of the influential comedy neo-classic "Wet Hot American Summer" (2001), which is being rebooted because there is a God. Since 2004, he's been closely associated with the movies of Judd Apatow, and has been the male lead in many of the funniest flicks of the past 15 years. He is about to become an ironic superhero in "Ant-Man."

[Creds: Paramount & David Livingston/Getty Images]

Donald Faison ("Murray"), 41: Faison was "Murray," the street-smart guy who broke the news to "Cher" that "Christian" might be a "cake boy." From 2001 to 2010, he stole America's hearts on the similarly broadly funny series "Scrubs." He is currently on the series "The Exes."

[Creds: Paramount & Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images]

Breckin Meyer ("Travis"), 41: Meyer played stoner "Travis." He has been one of the busiest of the film's cast members, working in movies and on TV, where he made big impressions on "Franklin & Bash" (2011—2014) and the still-current "Robot Chicken," for which he provides many voices, produces, and writes.

[Creds: Paramount & Justin Baker/WireImage/Getty Images]

Elisa Donovan ("Amber"), 44: As bitchy "Amber," the mean girl "Cher" loved to hate, and as Joey Fatone's girlfriend in the *NSYNC video "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)," Donovan has a strong place in the hearts and minds of '90s kids. She has made many TV and movie appearances since, and gave birth to a daughter in 2012.

[Creds: Paramount & Paul Archuleta]

Jeremy Sisto ("Elton"), 40: The BMOC who was too good for "Tai," Sisto has appeared in numerous TV shows, movies, and plays. Most memorably, he was a recurring character on HBO's "Six Feet Under" from 2002—2005 and played "Detective Lupo" on three seasons of "Law & Order."

[Creds: Paramount & LinkedIn]

Justin Walker ("Christian"), approx. 45: As the adorably fashion-forward "Christian," to whom "Cher" wants to lose her virginity before her gaydar is installed, Walker was making his debut as an actor in "Clueless." He performed another 10 years before seemingly retiring. Since 2000, he's been a partner and the CMO of Draftster.com, a popular fantasy sports site. He owned Teddy Teadle's Grill in Rancho Mirage, California.

"Your man Christian is a cake boy ... He's a disco-dancin', Oscar Wilde-readin', Streisand-ticket-holdin' Friend of Dorothy ..." [Cred: Paramount]

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