Biography
Who is Alyson Hannigan?
Early life and education
Born in Washington, D.C., Alyson Lee Hannigan was the only child of Emilie Haas and Alan Hannigan. Her mother worked as a real-estate agent, while her father was a truck driver for the Teamsters. The family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Alyson spent her early childhood years. By age 11, she relocated to Hollywood after securing professional representation.
During her teenage years, she attended North Hollywood High School. While visiting her father in Santa Barbara, she successfully auditioned for talent agents. As a teenager, she babysat for the children of Bob Saget, who would later become her co-star on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. After graduating from high school, she pursued higher education at California State University, Northridge. There, she earned a degree in psychology and served as a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Career beginnings
Alyson Hannigan began her professional acting career as a child. She appeared in television commercials starting at age four. Her initial film roles included supporting parts in the comedies Impure Thoughts and My Stepmother Is an Alien. She later secured a regular television role on the sitcom Free Spirit, which aired from 1989 to 1990.
Her major breakthrough occurred in 1997 when she was cast as Willow Rosenberg in the supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She appeared in every episode of the show through 2003. This performance earned her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television and a Teen Choice Award. During this period, she also appeared in the popular American Pie film series as Michelle Flaherty, appearing in the films from 1999 to 2012. She also had a recurring guest spot on the spin-off series Angel. In 2004, she made her West End stage debut in a production of When Harry Met Sally at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Television and film roles
In 2005, Alyson joined the cast of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. She played the character Lily Aldrin for nine seasons until the show concluded in 2014. This role brought her two People's Choice Awards. She also appeared in the parody film Date Movie, the slasher film You Might Be the Killer, and the superhero film Flora & Ulysses.
Following these projects, she hosted the television series Penn & Teller: Fool Us between 2016 and 2023. Her voice work includes the character Claire Clancy in the Disney Junior series Fancy Nancy. She also played Ann Possible in the Disney Channel original film Kim Possible. In 2023, she participated as a contestant on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars. She finished the competition in fifth place alongside her professional partner, Sasha Farber. She also appeared in the 2026 romantic comedy film Solo Mio.
Birthday and age
Alyson Hannigan was born on March 24, 1974, which makes Alyson 52 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Alyson shares the date with 32 other famous people.
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