Allison Lee Hannigan (born March 24, 1974), known professionally as Alyson Hannigan, is an American actress and television presenter.[1]
Alyson Hannigan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hannigan in 2013 | |
| Born | Allison Lee Hannigan March 24, 1974 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Other names | Alyson Denisof |
| Education | California State University, Northridge (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature | |
 | |
Hannigan began her film career with supporting roles in the comedy films Impure Thoughts (1986) and My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988), getting a Young Artist Award nomination for the latter. In 1999, she began starring in the American Pie film series as Michelle Flaherty, the films' primary love interest, appearing in every film in the series from 1999 to 2012. For her role in the series, she was nominated for three Teen Choice Awards and won a Young Hollywood Award. She went on to star in the parody film Date Movie (2006), the slasher film You Might Be the Killer (2018), and the superhero film Flora & Ulysses (2021).
Hannigan got her start in television starring in the short-lived sitcom Free Spirit from 1989 to 1990, for which she earned a Young Artist Award nomination. After several minor roles in television films and other series, she appeared in her breakout role as teenage witch Willow Rosenberg in the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, appearing in every episode from 1997 to 2003. Her role on the show was critically acclaimed and won her the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television and a Teen Choice Award. From 2005 to 2014, she starred as Lily Aldrin in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, for which she won two People's Choice Awards. Hannigan hosted the television show Penn & Teller: Fool Us (2016–2022), and provided the voice of Claire Clancy in the Disney Junior animated series Fancy Nancy (2018–2022).
Early life and education
Hannigan was born on March 24, 1974[2] in Washington, D.C., the only child of Emilie (Posner) Haas, a real-estate agent, and Alan Hannigan, a Teamsters trucker.[3][4] Her father is of Irish ancestry and her mother is Jewish.[5][6] At age four, Hannigan began appearing in commercials.[7] After spending her childhood in her mother's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Hannigan moved to Hollywood at age 11 after securing an agent.[4]
Living with her mother and attending North Hollywood High School, she successfully auditioned for agents while visiting her father in Santa Barbara. After high school, she attended California State University, Northridge, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and earned a degree in psychology.[8][9]
Career
Hannigan's first major film role was in My Stepmother Is an Alien, a science-fiction comedy released in 1988; one of her co-stars in the film was actor Seth Green, who later joined her in the regular cast of Buffy as her on-screen boyfriend.[3] In 1989, her first regular role on a TV series came when she was cast in the short-lived ABC sitcom Free Spirit. As a teenager, Hannigan babysat for the children of her future How I Met Your Mother co-star, Bob Saget.[10]
In 1997, Hannigan was cast to play Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers' best friend, on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[11] The show became a success, and Hannigan gained recognition, subsequently appearing in several films aimed at teenaged audiences, including American Pie (1999), Boys and Girls (2000), American Pie 2 (2001), and American Wedding (2003).[3] She also had a recurring guest spot on the Buffy spin-off, Angel, reprising her role of Willow. In early 2004, Hannigan made her West End debut, starring in a stage adaptation of When Harry Met Sally... at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, opposite Luke Perry.[12]
In 2005, Hannigan returned to starring in a regular television series, taking the main role of Lily Aldrin in the hit comedy How I Met Your Mother, and also playing a recurring guest role on Veronica Mars as Trina Echolls.[13] In February 2006, she starred as Julia Jones in Date Movie, a parody of romantic comedies.[3] She was also a guest star on the ABC animated sitcom The Goode Family in 2009.[14]
Hannigan joined forces with Emily Deschanel, Jaime King, Minka Kelly, and Katharine McPhee in a "video slumber party" featured on FunnyorDie.com to promote regular breast cancer screenings for the organization Stand Up 2 Cancer.[15] In 2012, Hannigan reprised the role of Michelle in American Reunion.[16] From 2016 to 2022, Hannigan hosted the television series Penn & Teller: Fool Us.[17] Hannigan played Ann Possible, Kim's mother, in the Disney Channel original film Kim Possible, based on the animated series.[18]
In September 2023, Hannigan was announced to be competing on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with Sasha Farber.[19] The couple made it to the finals and finished in fifth place.
Personal life
Hannigan married her Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel co-star Alexis Denisof at Two Bunch Palms Resort in Desert Hot Springs, California, on October 11, 2003. The couple live in Encino, Los Angeles[20] with their two daughters.[2][21] Their home was used as a set for This Is Us.[22]
Hannigan is a fan of singer Taylor Swift.[23]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Impure Thoughts | Patty Stubbs | Credited as Allison Hannigan[24] |
| 1988 | My Stepmother Is an Alien | Jessie Mills | |
| 1998 | Dead Man on Campus | Lucy | |
| 1999 | Hayley Wagner, Star | Jenna Jakes[25] | |
| 1999 | American Pie | Michelle Flaherty | |
| 2000 | Boys and Girls | Betty | |
| 2001 | American Pie 2 | Michelle Flaherty | |
| 2001 | Beyond the City Limits | Lexi | |
| 2003 | American Wedding | Michelle Flaherty | |
| 2006 | Date Movie | Julia Jones | |
| 2006 | Farce of the Penguins | Hottie Penguin | Voice |
| 2011 | Love, Wedding, Marriage | Courtney | |
| 2012 | American Reunion | Michelle Levenstein | |
| 2016 | Do You Take This Man | Rachael | |
| 2018 | You Might Be the Killer | Chuck | |
| 2021 | Flora & Ulysses | Phyllis Buckman |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1990 | Free Spirit | Jessie Harper | Main role, 14 episodes |
| 1990 | Roseanne | Jan | Episode: "Like, a New Job" |
| 1991 | Switched at Birth | Gina Twigg (Age 13–16) | Television film |
| 1993 | Almost Home | Samantha | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel | Cassie Peters | Episode: "Cassie's Choice" |
| 1995 | The Stranger Beside Me | Dana | Television film |
| 1996 | For My Daughter's Honor | Kelly | Television film |
| 1996 | Picket Fences | Peggy Patterson | Episode: "To Forgive Is Divine" |
| 1997–2003 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Willow Rosenberg | Main role, 144 episodes |
| 1999–2000 | 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd | Gigi | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2000 | The Wild Thornberrys | Gerda | Voice, episode: "Every Little Bit Alps" |
| 2001–2003 | Angel | Willow Rosenberg | 3 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Rugrats | Cynthia P.I. | Voice, 2 episodes |
| Young Starlet | Voice, 1 episode | ||
| 2004 | That '70s Show | Suzy Simpson | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | King of the Hill | Stacey Gibson | Voice, episode: "Talking Shop" |
| 2005 | Veronica Mars | Trina Echolls | 3 episodes |
| 2005–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Lily Aldrin | Main role, 206 episodes |
| 2009 | The Goode Family | Michelle | Voice, episode: "Graffiti in Greenville" |
| 2011 | The Simpsons | Melody | Voice, episode: "Flaming Moe" |
| 2011, 2018 | Robot Chicken | Various voices | 2 episodes |
| 2011, 2013, 2023 | American Dad! | Chelsea | Voice, episode: "Virtual In-Stanity" |
| Ugly Stepsister #2 | Voice, episode: "Finger Lenting Good" | ||
| Lexie | Voice, episode: "Cow I Met Your Moo-ther" | ||
| 2014 | Sofia the First | Winter | Voice, episode: "Winter's Gift" |
| 2014 | The McCarthys | Pam | Episode: "Red Sox Swap" |
| 2016–2022 | Penn & Teller: Fool Us | Herself | Host, 64 episodes[26] |
| 2018–2022 | Fancy Nancy | Claire Clancy | Voice, main role (57 episodes) |
| 2019 | Kim Possible | Ann Possible | Television film |
| 2019 | Pure | Esther Dunkel | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Abducted: The Mary Stauffer Story | Mary Stauffer | TV film[27] |
| 2020–2021 | Outrageous Pumpkins | Herself | Host, 8 episodes |
| 2020 | Girl Scout Cookie Championship | Herself | Host, 4 episodes |
| 2020 | Outmatched | Annabeth | Episode: "Couple's Friends" |
| 2021 | Martha Gets Down and Dirty | Herself | Episode: "House Planting Party"[28] |
| 2021 | Adorableness | Herself | Panelist[29] |
| 2023 | Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. | Dawn | Episode: "Message from the Chief" |
| 2023 | Office Race | Pat | Comedy Central original television film |
| 2023 | Dancing with the Stars | Herself | Contestant on season 32[30] |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | When Harry Met Sally... | Sally Albright | Theatre Royal Haymarket |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Wihlborg, Ulrica (March 31, 2009). "Alyson Hannigan Welcomes a Daughter!". People. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "How I Met Your Mother Cast: Alyson Hannigan". CBS. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ a b "Former Atlantan Alyson Hannigan interview for 'How I Met Your Mother'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Berson, Elisabeth (November 13, 2013). "10 celebrities you didn't know were Jewish". St. Louis Jewish Light. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ "Hollywood Now: Alyson Hannigan, Jewish Male Actors, Fall Feature". September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "Interview: Alyson Hannigan on American Pie". Scotland on Sunday. April 22, 2012. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan profile". SuperiorPics.com. Retrieved April 18, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan biography". Biography.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ Roy, Norman (April 26, 2012). "It's Evening in America". Vanity Fair. p. 158. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
- ^ "Where Are They Now? Buffy the Vampire Slayer". People. December 3, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "When Harry Met Sally, Review by Philip Fisher (2004)". British Theatre Guide. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
- ^ "'Veronica Mars' scoop". Chicago Tribune. January 20, 2006. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Harrison, Stacey (July 6, 2009). ""The Goode Family" Recap: Graffiti In Greenville". Channel Guide Magazine. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018.
- ^ Kate Stanhope (October 1, 2009). "Deschanel, Hannigan and Others Cop a Feel for a Cause". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and 'Mother'-hood". USA Today. April 15, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (March 31, 2016). "Alyson Hannigan tapped to host Penn & Teller: Fool Us in season 3". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ^ Swift, Andy (May 25, 2018). "Kim Possible Movie: Alyson Hannigan Playing Mom, 5 Other Key Roles Cast". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ "'Dancing with the Stars': Mauricio Umansky, Jason Mraz and Alyson Hannigan Among Cast for Season 32". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ "'Vampire Slayer' star Alyson Hannigan settles on contemporary lair in Encino". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan Welcomes Daughter Keeva Jane!". Us Weekly. June 12, 2012. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
- ^ "Alyson Hannigan Reveals 'This Is Us' Used Her Home As a Shooting Location". Entertainment Tonight. October 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ Smyth, Tom (April 20, 2024). "Someone Check on Alyson Hannigan After Taylor Swift's American Pie Reference". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ My Stepmother is an Alien at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ "Hayley Wagner, Star". Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "CW Press | THE CW NETWORK ANNOUNCES ITS SEVEN-NIGHT PRIMETIME SCHEDULE FOR 2023-2024". May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 3, 2019). "Lifetime Orders 2 Movies: 'Abduction Of Mary Stauffer' Starring Alyson Hannigan & 'Saving Alex'". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ Chubb, Hannah (June 3, 2021). "Martha Stewart Gets 'Down and Dirty' in New Show with A-List Celeb Friends". People. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ Ossad, Jordana (June 21, 2021). "MTV is About to Get a Dose of Adorableness". MTV. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' season 32 cast revealed: Alyson Hannigan, Mira Sorvino and more". September 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
External links
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
