Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan was born on March 24, 1974, in Washington, D.C. She began her acting career at the age of four in Atlanta, appearing in various commercials for brands such as McDonald’s, Six Flags, and Oreos. At age 11, Hannigan relocated to Hollywood and secured an agent, marking an early start to her professional life. She attended North Hollywood High School and later California State University, Northridge, where she earned a degree in psychology and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Her foundational experiences in acting began with supporting film roles and guest appearances on television series such as “Picket Fences,” “Roseanne,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “The Torkelsons.”

Hannigan’s career progressed significantly with her role as Willow Rosenberg in the supernatural drama series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which aired from 1997 to 2003. This role brought her widespread recognition and critical praise, including a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television. During this period, she also gained notice for her portrayal of Michelle Flaherty in the “American Pie” film series, appearing in the original (1999) and its sequels, “American Pie 2” (2001) and “American Wedding” (2003). The “American Pie” series achieved considerable box office success, grossing nearly $1 billion worldwide and becoming a pop culture phenomenon.

She further cemented her status in television as Lily Aldrin in the popular sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” which ran from 2005 to 2014. For this role, Hannigan received two People’s Choice Awards. Following the conclusion of “How I Met Your Mother,” she transitioned into television hosting, notably leading “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” from 2016 to 2023. Hannigan has also engaged in voice acting, lending her voice to characters such as Claire Clancy in Disney Junior’s “Fancy Nancy” (2018–2022) and participating in “Dancing with the Stars” in 2023, where she finished in fifth place.