Most of you probably know Alyson Hannigan as Willow in the WB's hit television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Alyson Hannigan was born in Washington D.C. on March 24, 1974. Her entry into show business began not long after. article continued below.....

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The progeny of two still photographers, it now seems fated that Alyson would make her career in front of the camera. While still a baby, and later into her childhood, Alyson acted as a model when- ever her parents could use her for a photo shoot in their backyard studio. An early indication of her natural charisma was apparent. As Alyson herself states, "I just loved being in front of the camera. I'd perk right up."1

As the years passed, Alyson gradually switched the focus of her attention from modelling to acting, working steadily in commercials from her Atlanta home. Highlights of her work include national commercials for McDonald's, Six Flags Amusement Parks, and Oreo cookies.

After meeting with such success in her commercial endeavors, it was decided that a move to Los Angeles was necessary in order for Alyson to continue the rapid pace of her career advancement.
And so, when Alyson was 11, the family picked up and moved to California, giving Alyson the opportunity to break into film and television.

Not one to let opportunity pass her by, Alyson was eventually able to land a starring role in the Dan Aykroyd film, My Stepmother is An Alien, at the age of fourteen. This was her first "big break" into show business. Interestingly, in the film, the romantic interest of Alyson's character, Jessie Mills, is portrayed by Seth Green, who currently fills the same role, as Oz, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Alyson's sympathetic portrayal of Jessie eventually earned her additional guest and starring roles in other film and television productions. While she experienced the inevitable setbacks and dry periods during her career, Alyson's positive attitude saw her through the difficult times.

"Just don't let it get you down" is the advice she offers to other Hollywood hopefuls. This determination and perseverence eventually saw Alyson emerge as one of this generation's hottest talents, with her starring role as fan-favorite "Willow" in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and this year's Paramount feature Dead Man on Campus.

When she's not busy with work, which isn't too often these days, Alyson enjoys bike riding, kick-boxing, surfing the web, and playing with her cats & dogs. She's also been known to find the time during her daily work schedule to call some of the fans that write to her, and chat with them on the Posting Board on the official BtVS web site.

Ever the professional, Alyson also takes time out of her busy schedule to attend science fiction conventions and charity events on the weekends, in order to promote her show and interact with her growing legion of adoring fans. This type of fan recognition has not gone unappreciated - there are now over 100 web sites listed in the Alyson Hannigan Fan Webring, as well as mailng lists, fan-fiction societies, and IRC Chat channels dedicated to Alyson and "Willow", her BtVS alter-ego.

So what does someone who has already achieved so much wish for herself in the future? A Jim Carrey salary? A Julia Roberts profile? No, as Alyson explains, "...you have to go for the good things... world peace, a cure for everything, and a really cool house."

The humility, innocence, and sparkling intelligence behind that response is displayed each week in Alyson's portrayal of Willow. It is no wonder, then, why fans around the world will root for Alyson, as they do for Wil- low, in hoping her dreams come true. Of course, not being as selfless as Alyson, they'd be sure to add, "Ten more years of BtVS", and "Her choice of film roles during the upcoming hiatus", to her altruistic little list.

• Graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1992.
• Was a clarinet player in junior high school.
• Played soccer until she got an injury in her early teens.
• Alyson's parents divorced when she was 2. Her mother is a real estate agent in Atlanta, Georgia, and her father is a truck driver in Missouri.
• The producers of "American Pie" originally wanted her to play the role of Heather, but she wanted to play the role of Michelle because she thought it was funnier.
• Has a tattoo of tribal dolphins on her ankle, and a japanese kanji, for luck and happiness, on her back.
• Dated the drummer of Marilyn Manson's band.
• Alyson broke up with Ginger Fish of Marilyn Manson and is currently dating fellow "Buffy" star Alexis Denisof.
• (May 2000) She (along with actresses Tangi Miller and Holly Marie Combs) is a spokesperson for breast cancer, and will appear in a new four page brochure (to be featured in Vogue, Glamour, Self, Mademoiselle, and Women's Sports and Fitness) to raise awareness about the disease.

A PERFECT DATE

--"Probably a home cooked meal. And good conversation. And a good massage. That's a perfect date!"

HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED

--"It's changed drastically. I have a better house, a better car."

FAVORITE FAST FOOD

--"I love the McDonald's Happy Meals. But I also really, really enjoy Wendy's Frostys. But maybe my favorite would be Chick-Fil-A which they have in Atlanta. And then have one in Torrence. So I get to have it when we shoot at the school in Torrence, California."

WHAT SHE DOES ON HER DAYS OFF

--"Well, I love to play with my animals, my dogs and cats, and go see movies, and shop, I guess. Actually shopping and I have a love-hate relationship. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. And just anything."

HER FAVORITE MUSIC

--"I listen to everything from classical music to rock. I'm a big Everclear fan. Radiohead. Just a lot of different types of music. Depends what mood I'm in."

WHAT SHE DOES ON A NIGHT OUT WITH HER CO-STARS

--" We'll go see bands play at the local clubs out here. Or we've been known to hit the bowling alley. We've gone miniature golfing before. Whatever fun things come to mind."

HER FAVORITE CAR

--"Wow, I think Land Rover Defenders, big army type truck things that look like a Hot Wheel."

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HER AND WILLOW

--"We wear our hair the same and we have the same goofy sense of humor; that's as far as it goes."

ON HER AGE

--"I still get carded for everyhting...I've gotten carded for R rated movies."

WHAT SHE THINKS OF HER FAN PAGES

--"Our fans are just diehard!! I went to this one [page], and I saw all these pictures of me taken from the screen. Hundreds! And I was like, 'OK, I just don't really need to see this.'"

ABOUT HER FANS

--"It's great that they're that devoted, but it makes you a little paranoid, too-wondering how they're gonna interpret every little thing you do."

ON MAKING THE SHOW

--"I'm having so much fun!! This is the funnest time of my life!"

MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT

--"I went on one of those spinning rides at an amusment park and it made me so nauseous I decided to take it easy and go on the merry-go-round. Then I started concentrating on the fact that I was still spinning. Sure, I was going slow, but I was spinning. I jumped off the merry-go-round and threw up in a trash can. This little kid came up to me and said, 'Ha-ha! You threw up on the merry-go-round.'"

FIRST TV CRUSH

--"My first TV crush was Elroy Jetson, because he was so cute. And I wanted to play with Astro on his automatic dog-walker thing."

BACKSTAGE

--"On the set, people are surprised by what pottymouths we all have. Some makeup people who just come in every once in a while will overhear me talking and just turn bright red and say 'I can't believe Willow just said that.'"

HER MOVIE CAREER

--"I'd love to do independent movies. That's where the good parts and opportunities are. In a big giant studio movie they'd be like 'Okay, we'll take Claire Danes' or someone huge like that' while an independent will take whoever they can get-like me!"

SOME ROMANTIC ADVICE

--"Friends make the best boyfriends cause you have a strong bond to build on."

IF SHE WAS ALONE ON VALENTINE'S DAY?

--"Rent sappy movies like 'Say Anything,' order a pizza and junk food and sit in front of the TV and feel sorry for myself."