Alicia Silverstone is an actress, activist, author, and entrepreneur best known for starring in classic 90s films like Clueless. Here‘s a look at the actress who embodied the spirit of the decade.
| Full Name | Alicia Silverstone |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 4, 1976 |
| Birth Place | San Francisco, California |
| Occupation | Actress, Activist |
| Years Active | 1991-Present |
| Spouse | Christopher Jarecki (m. 2005-2018) |
| Children | 1 son, Bear Blu Jarecki |
| Notable Roles | Cher in Clueless, Batgirl in Batman & Robin |
| Website | The Kind Life |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
Her Remarkable Rise to Fame in the 90s
Even as a young girl growing up in San Francisco, Alicia Silverstone dreamed of becoming an actress. She started modeling and appearing in commercials at just six years old, showing early promise of the star she would become.
Silverstone got her first big break in 1993 at age 16 playing the lead in The Crush opposite Cary Elwes. Her performance as the manipulative teen who becomes obsessed with a man twice her age earned praise from critics.
But it was playing the privileged, boy-crazy Cher Horowitz in 1995‘s Clueless that made Silverstone a household name. As Rolling Stone raved:
"Alicia Silverstone is cherubically adorable as matchmaking Beverly Hills teenager Cher in this satirical, perceptive look at spoiled rich kids."
Clueless became one of the decade‘s most iconic and quotable films. As Cher, Silverstone got to showcase her comedic chops and charismatic charm to the fullest. Even critics who didn‘t care for the movie overall conceded that she was perfect for the part.
Becoming the Reigning Star of the 90s
On the heels of her Clueless breakthrough, Alicia Silverstone signed a record-breaking $10 million deal with Columbia Pictures and her status as Hollywood‘s hottest rising star was cemented.
She went on to play major roles in studio tentpole films like Batman & Robin (1997) as Batgirl/Barbara Wilson and Blast From the Past (1999) opposite Brendan Fraser. She also got to showcase her range in smaller indie films like Excess Baggage (1997), which she produced.
During her meteoric rise, Silverstone racked up awards and magazine covers galore. She won two MTV Movie Awards for Most Desirable Female in 1996 and 1997. People named her one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world in 1995. And she topped FHM‘s Sexiest Women list in 1997.
Clearly, audiences and critics alike were smitten by her beauty, humor, and accessibility. She had that "It Girl" factor in spades.
Activism and Vegan Lifestyle
Even with her crazy schedule, Alicia has always made time for causes close to her heart. She became a vegan in 1998 after attending an animal rights meeting.
Silverstone endorsed PETA campaigns and spoke out about eco-friendly living long before it was mainstream. As a lifelong animal lover myself, I‘ve always admired her commitment to ethics and the environment.
She shares recipes, parenting tips, yoga routines, and more through her website The Kind Life which promotes plant-based living. Her book The Kind Diet is a New York Times bestseller.
Still a Fan Favorite Today
These days, Alicia balances acting roles with family life and running her website. She occasionally appears in TV shows like The Killing of a Sacred Deer and made her Broadway debut in Time Stands Still.
In 2022, Silverstone reprised her legendary Clueless role in a Super Bowl commercial recreating Cher‘s classic debating scene. It was a joy to see her channel that iconic character once again!
Nearly 30 years after her meteoric rise, Alicia Silverstone remains one of the most gifted, charismatic, and principled actresses of her generation. We can‘t wait to see what she does next!