Clueless: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

Clueless (1995) is an American coming-of-age teen comedy film written and directed by Amy Heckerling, produced by Paramount Pictures and Scott Rudin Productions.

A loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, it follows Cher Horowitz, a wealthy, superficial yet well-meaning Beverly Hills high schooler who plays matchmaker for her teachers and a new “clueless” student, Tai, while navigating her own social status, family dynamics, and budding romance with her ex-stepbrother Josh.

Filmed in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills High School exteriors, soundstages for interiors) over 45 days in 1994 on a $13 million budget, it premiered July 19, 1995, and released July 21, 1995, in the U.S. It grossed $56.6 million worldwide ($41.6 million domestic, $15 million international), a sleeper hit that spawned a short-lived TV series (1996–1999), animated spin-off (Clueless 1996–1997), and enduring merch (e.g., Cher Barbie 2024).

The soundtrack, featuring The Cranberries’ “Dreams,” charted Top 40. It holds an 81% critic score and 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus a 6.9/10 on IMDb (from 150,000+ ratings), lauded for Heckerling’s witty script, Silverstone’s star-making turn, and cultural prescience but critiqued for shallow stereotypes and abrupt resolution.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz

• Role: Cher, the bubbly, matchmaking fashionista queen bee of Beverly Hills High, whose “do-gooder” schemes unravel her superficial world, leading to growth and romance with Josh. Silverstone’s “charming airhead” breakout, channeling Emma Woodhouse with ’90s flair, launched her to stardom; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $20 million.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born October 4, 1976, in San Francisco, California, to former Pan Am flight attendant Deirdre “Didi” Silverstone (Scottish, née Radford) and real estate investor Monty Silverstone (English-Jewish). Siblings: older brother David Silverstone, older half-sister Kezi Silverstone (from father’s previous relationship). Raised Jewish in Hillsborough; attended Crocker Middle School and San Mateo High School (cheerleader).
• Relationships: Married musician Christopher Jarecki (2005–2018; met at a music festival); son Bear Blu Jarecki (b. May 5, 2011). Dated actor Jack Savoretti (1990s); briefly engaged to Yelawolf (2011–2012). Single as of 2025; vegan activist and PETA spokesperson.
• Post-Film: Starred in Batman & Robin (1997, Batgirl); Excess Baggage (1997, producer); The Baby-Sitters Club (2020, Netflix). Recent: Senior Year (2022); Killer Klowns from Outer Space remake (2025); memoir The Kind Mama (2014, expanded 2025 ed.); Broadway’s Of Good Stock (2015 revival).

Stacey Dash as Dionne Marie Davenport

• Role: Dionne, Cher’s stylish, level-headed best friend and voice of reason, navigating high school hierarchies and her boyfriend Murray’s antics. Dash’s “glamorous sidekick” exuded cool poise; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $100,000.
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born January 20, 1967, in The Bronx, New York, to Linda Dash (African-American/Mexican) and Dennis Dash (African-American). Stepfather: Cecil Holmes (music exec). Sibling: younger brother Darien Dash (DME Interactive founder). Cousin: Damon Dash (Roc-A-Fella co-founder). Raised Catholic; attended Catholic schools.
• Relationships: Daughter Lola (b. 2000) and son Austin Williams (b. 1991) with ex Brian Lovell (married 1999–mid-2000s). Married British exec James Maby (2005–2006). Married attorney Jeffrey Marty (2018–present; arrested for domestic battery 2019, reconciled). Dated singer Christopher Williams (pre-1991).
• Post-Film: Reprised Dionne in Clueless TV series (1996–1999); Single Ladies (2011–2015). Recent: Fox News contributor (2014–2017); The Michael Eric Dyson Show guest (2024); political run for Congress (2018, withdrew); memoir There Goes My Social Life (2016).

Brittany Murphy as Tai Frasier

• Role: Tai, the naive, grunge-chic new girl from San Francisco whom Cher “Clueless”-ifies into popularity, sparking jealousy and self-reflection. Murphy’s “wide-eyed ingenue” debut stole hearts with quirky charm; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $10 million (at death).
• Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m).
• Family: Born November 10, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, to single mother Sharon Murphy (Irish-American). Father: Angelo Bertolotti (estranged, Italian-American; d. 2013). No siblings. Raised in Edison, New Jersey; attended Saint Rose of Lima School.
• Relationships: Married screenwriter Simon Monjack (2007–2009, his death). Engaged to production assistant Joe Macaluso (2005–2006). Dated actor Ashton Kutcher (2002–2003); Eminem (2002, rumored). No children.
• Post-Film: Starred in 8 Mile (2002); Just Married (2003); Uptown Girls (2003). Recent: Something Wicked (2014, posthumous); died December 20, 2009 (pneumonia, anemia, intoxication, age 32); husband died May 23, 2010 (similar causes); estate to mother Sharon; HBO doc What Happened, Brittany Murphy? (2021).

Paul Rudd as Josh Lucas

• Role: Josh, Cher’s sarcastic, liberal ex-stepbrother and college student, whose intellectual banter challenges her worldview and sparks romance. Rudd’s “wry slacker” was an early breakout; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $70 million.
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m).
• Family: Born April 6, 1969, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Michael Rudd (historical tour guide, TWA VP, English-Jewish) and Gloria Rudd (TV sales manager, English-Jewish). Sibling: younger sister Julie Rudd. Raised in Lenexa, Kansas; attended Shawnee Mission West High School and University of Kansas (theater BA).
• Relationships: Married publicist Julie Yaeger (since February 2, 2003; met 1995 post-Clueless). Children: son Jack Sullivan (b. 2006), daughter Darby (b. 2010). No prior marriages.
• Post-Film: Starred in Ant-Man trilogy (2015–2023, MCU); Clueless TV (1996, Sonny). Recent: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024); Only Murders in the Building S4 (2024); Death of a Unicorn (2025); People’s Sexiest Man Alive (2021).

Dan Hedaya as Mel Horowitz

• Role: Mel, Cher’s overprotective, workaholic litigation lawyer father, dispensing tough-love advice on life and love. Hedaya’s “gruff softie” added paternal warmth; recurring across acts.
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born July 24, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, to Sephardic Jewish parents from Aleppo, Syria (father unknown profession, mother homemaker). No siblings reported. Attended Tufts University (BA); taught junior high pre-acting.
• Relationships: Private; no public marriages or children reported as of 2025.
• Post-Film: Starred in The Addams Family (1991, Tully Alford); The Usual Suspects (1995); Marvin’s Room (1996). Recent: The Humbling (2014); The Blacklist (2019); The Good House (2021); The Humbling stage revival (2025).

Elisa Donovan as Amber Mariens

• Role: Amber, Cher’s snobby, competitive fashion rival and valley girl nemesis, whose one-upmanship fuels comedic clashes. Donovan’s “bitchy blonde” coined the “whatever” gesture; recurring.
• Net Worth: $4 million.
• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m).
• Family: Born February 3, 1971, in Poughkeepsie, New York, to business executive Jack Donovan and Charlotte Donovan. Sibling: brother Mark Donovan. Attended Boston University (briefly); NYU Tisch (drama).
• Relationships: Married financial exec Charlie Bigelow (since October 13, 2012; met via friends). Daughter: Scarlett Rose (b. 2014). No prior marriages.
• Post-Film: Reprised Amber in Clueless TV (1996–1999); Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2000–2003, Morgan). Recent: Wake Me When You Leave memoir (2021); The 12 Wishes of Christmas (2017); Clueless 30th anniversary ad (2025).

Wallace Shawn as Mr. Wendell Hall

• Role: Mr. Hall, the bumbling English teacher and Miss Geist’s awkward love interest, whom Cher matches in a Pygmalion scheme. Shawn’s “inept intellectual” added deadpan humor; ~15-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $8 million–$10 million.
• Height: 5’2″ (1.57 m).
• Family: Born November 12, 1943, in New York City, to New Yorker editor William Shawn and journalist Cecille Lyon (Jewish). Siblings: twin brother Allen Shawn (composer), sister Mary Shawn (autistic). Attended Collegiate School and Putney School; Harvard (BA philosophy); Oxford (postgrad).
• Relationships: Long-term partner writer Deborah Eisenberg (since 1980s; no marriage). No children.
• Post-Film: Voiced Rex in Toy Story franchise (1995–2019); The Princess Bride (1987, Vizzini). Recent: Young Sheldon (2018–2024); A Late Bloomer (2025); The Designated Mourner play revival (2024).

Twink Caplan as Miss Toby Geist

• Role: Miss Geist, the ditzy debate teacher and Mr. Hall’s match, whose free-spirited romance inspires Cher’s meddling. Caplan’s “flaky faculty” (Heckerling’s producing partner) brought meta charm; ~10-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $3 million.
• Height: 5’2″ (1.57 m).
• Family: Born December 25, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Leon Caplan and Theodora “Toby” Schacter. Sibling: older sister (name private). Attended Mt. Lebanon High School; Pittsburgh Playhouse (dance debut age 5).
• Relationships: Private; no public marriages or children reported.
• Post-Film: Produced Clueless TV (1996–1999); Look Who’s Talking series (1989–1993, Rona). Recent: Feud (2017); A Golden Christmas (2009); I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007, producer).

Donald Faison as Murray Duvall

• Role: Murray, Dionne’s goofy, conspiracy-obsessed boyfriend and Cher’s comic foil, spouting ’90s slang and mishaps. Faison’s “hyper hype-man” debut infused infectious energy; recurring.
• Net Worth: $12 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born June 22, 1974, in Harlem, New York, to talent agent Shirley Faison and building manager Donald Faison (divorced 1992). Sibling: younger brother Olamide Faison (musician). Attended Professional Children’s School.
• Relationships: Married actress CaCee Cobb (since December 15, 2012; met 2006 via Jessica Simpson). Children: son Rocco (b. 2013), daughter Wilder Frances (b. 2016). From prior relationship with Lisa Askey (1997–2005): twins Dade (b. 1999) and Kaya (b. 1999); son Sean (b. 2000). From relationship with Audrey Ince: son Shane (b. 1996).
• Post-Film: Starred in Scrubs (2001–2010, Dr. Turk); The Exes (2011–2015). Recent: Extended Family (2023–2024); Robot Chicken (voice, 2005–2024); Pitch Perfect 2 (2015).

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Silverstone earned ~$1 million (pre-fame breakout); Dash/Murphy ~$200,000–$500,000; supporting ~$50,000–$100,000. The $13 million budget covered L.A. shoots, ’90s wardrobe (Alpharetta designs), and Heckerling’s script tweaks. Soundtrack residuals and merch (e.g., 2024 Barbies) add $500K+ yearly for leads.
• Casting Insights: Heckerling scouted fresh faces for authenticity; Silverstone (18) won Cher after Aerosmith video buzz, beating Reese Witherspoon. Dash (28) brought Bronx edge for Dionne; Murphy (17) nailed Tai’s vulnerability in callbacks. Rudd (26) aced Josh via chemistry reads; Faison (20) improvised Murray’s slang. Donovan (24) embodied Amber’s snark. Workshops focused on ’90s teen improv for natural banter.
• Impact and Legacy: A ’90s touchstone, it spiked valley girl slang (“whatever” entered Oxford Dictionary) and teen rom-coms (Mean Girls 2004). Fans on Reddit/X adore Cher’s closet but debate step-sibling romance; 81% RT underscores satire. Influenced Legally Blonde (2001); 30th anniversary (2025) includes Peacock series reboot. Streaming on Paramount+ sustains cult status.
• Post-Film Careers: Silverstone/Dash/Rudd thrive in activism/comedy; Murphy’s tragedy (2009) inspired docs; Faison/Donovan balance TV/family. Hedaya/Shawn/Caplan sustain character work. Reunions (2025 TCM Fest) highlight bonds; Heckerling’s influence sparks empowerment talks.
• Cultural Influence: Defined ’90s aesthetics (plaid skirts TikTok 1B+ views) and girl power post-Heathers. Diversity (Dash’s Afro-Latina rep, Murphy’s Irish roots) noted, though X critiques white privilege gloss. “As if!” memes eternal; 2025 Barbies trended, cementing it as Gen X/Z crossover.

Conclusion

Clueless’s effervescent ensemble, anchored by Silverstone’s effulgent Cher and Murphy’s luminous Tai, matchmade Austen’s wit with ’90s zest into a timeless teen tapestry. Net worths from $100,000 (Dash) to $70 million (Rudd) delineate arcs from Beverly Hills sets to blockbuster bliss.

Personal vignettes—from Rudd’s Kansas kin to Donovan’s memoir moxie—resonate with the film’s makeover magic. Its sleeper surge, slang supernova, and reboot buzz affirm it as Paramount’s plaid-clad pinnacle, where every “clueless” cue cues enduring clout.