Cher Horowitz is 50. Alicia Silverstone was born on Oct. 4, 1976, in San Francisco, and she was still a teenager when ‘Clueless’ arrived in the summer of 1995 and turned a yellow plaid suit into a piece of movie history. Three decades later the film sits in the National Film Registry and “As if!” has never left the language.
She was already a familiar face by the time she played the most popular girl in Beverly Hills. Silverstone made her film debut in ‘The Crush’ in 1993 and won two MTV Movie Awards for it. That same year she began a run of three Aerosmith videos that started with ‘Cryin” and made her an MTV fixture. ‘Clueless’ director Amy Heckerling built a modern version of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ around her, and Batgirl followed in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin.’ Silverstone has always embraced the role that made her famous, and she recently brought back Cher’s most iconic look.
Despite its eventual success, Clueless initially struggled to find a studio willing to make it. Heckerling had developed the story as a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, but executives questioned whether audiences would be interested in a comedy centered on a wealthy teenage girl. Silverstone later recalled that some in Hollywood doubted the film’s commercial potential simply because its main character was female. Heckerling, however, was convinced Silverstone was perfect for Cher after seeing her in Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” music video. The film eventually found a home at Paramount Pictures and became one of the defining teen comedies of the 1990s.
Alicia Silverstone Is Bringing Cher Back In A ‘Clueless’ Sequel Series
Her 50th birthday comes with the best possible present for fans. According to The Credits, the Motion Picture Association’s news site, Paramount+ has ordered a six-episode ‘Clueless’ sequel series with Silverstone back as Cher. Production is set to begin in Los Angeles in 2027. Cher is now a successful businesswoman and a mother whose teenager is stirring up high school trouble of a familiar kind. Silverstone and Heckerling are both executive producers. Deadline reported that the project landed at Paramount+ after Peacock passed on it earlier this year.
“Thirty-one years ago, Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz captivated audiences with her signature chic style, sharp wit and relentless optimism,” Paramount+ executive Jane Wiseman said in announcing the order. Silverstone has a 15-year-old son of her own these days, so the research is already done.
What To Expect From The Sequel
The sequel is also bringing together some familiar creative talent. Alongside Silverstone and Heckerling, original Clueless producer Robert Lawrence will return as an executive producer. The new series is being written by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the team behind Gossip Girl and The O.C., along with Jordan Weiss, whose credits include Freakier Friday.
The story will revisit Beverly Hills three decades after Cher’s high school adventures, although Paramount+ has not yet announced which other original cast members, if any, might return. A premiere date also remains unconfirmed.
