Clueless (film) was preceded by a series of books.
Alicia Silverstone ( [ æˈliːsiə_ˈsɪlvəstoʊn ] born October 4 , 1976 ) is an American actress , producer , author , and activist . Clueless (film) . It is loosely based on Jane Austen 's 1815 novel Emma , updating the setting to modern Beverly Hills . The film was followed by a spin-off television sitcom and series of books .