Family
- grandfather Gibson Danes: Former dean of Yale's School of Art and Architecture; suffered from Alzheimer's disease and committed suicide in 1992
- grandmother Claire Danes: Danes is named after her
- father Chris Danes: Met wife at the Rhode Island School of Design
- mother Carla Danes: Met husband at the Rhode Island School of Design
- brother Asa Danes: Born c. 1972; works as a litigation attorney for the law firm of Paul Hastings
Companions
- Companion Billy Crudup: Together from 2003-2006; this relationship generated negative publicity due to rumors that their relationship caused the end of Crudup's relationship to then-pregnant Mary-Louise Parker
- Companion Hugh Dancy: Met while appearing together in "Evening" (2006); Began dating in December 2006; announced engagement in January 2009
- Companion Ben Lee: Together from 1997-2003
- Andrew Dorff: born c. 1977; younger brother of actor Stephen Dorff; met in 1995; no longer together
- Ben Lee: introduced by Winona Ryder; dating from 1997
- Matt Damon: dated during filming of "The Rainmaker"; no longer together
