In a profession where young actors are a “dime a dozen” and interchangeable with each other, it is difficult to find a performer who stands uniquely on their own. ALYSON HANNINGAN (Michelle) is one of the few exceptions. A veteran performer who has been acting since age four, Alyson possesses down-to-earth individuality, lively charm, a quirky sense of humor and straightforward intelligence.
Alyson recently completed her role as “Willow Rosenberg” on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In this cult television show, Alyson portrays Buffy’s best friend and confidante, with dry, comedic wit. She describes her TV alter ego as “a computer expert who is smart, funny, cool and a really good friend.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Alyson moved to Atlanta at age two. She began her career in Atlanta doing commercials, working steadily in national spots for companies like McDonalds, Six Flags Amusement Parks and Oreo Cookies. At age 11, she moved to Los Angeles with the hopes of getting into television and film.
Her breakthrough role came at age 13 when she was cast as Dan Aykroyd’s misunderstood daughter in the feature film My Stepmother Is an Alien. She went on to guest-star on a number of popular television shows, including Picket Fences, Roseanne and Touched By an Angel. She was a recurring guest-star on the series Almost Home and a series regular on Free Spirit. She co-starred in two HBO productions: Switched at Birth and Bob Saget, In Dream State, as well as telefilms for ABC and CBS.
In her free time, Alyson enjoys an active life. “I’ve always been a big tomboy,” she quips. She loves soccer, “surfing the web” and practicing kickboxing. During her hiatus, she took classes in karate and ballet. She also devotes a great deal of time to her two dogs and five cats. But mostly, Alyson says, “I do laundry... I’m always trying to catch up.”
As for the future, Alyson hopes to continue performing. “Acting is the only thing I’ve ever known. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” She also hopes to buy a really big washing machine.
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