Alyson Hannigan (born Allison Lee Hannigan on March 24, 1974) is an American actress who plays Lily Aldrin in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. She is also known for her previous roles as Willow Rosenberg on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, flautist Michelle Flaherty in the American Pie film series and Julia Jones in Date Movie. BiographyEarly lifeHannigan was born in Washington, D.C. to Albert Hannigan, an Irish American truck driver, and Emilie Posner, a Jewish American real estate agent.[1] Her parents divorced a year after her birth and she was raised mostly by her mother in Atlanta. Although Hannigan had appeared in an industrial film for "Active Parenting" as a baby, as well as starred in a commercial for the "Duncan Hines cookie mix" in 1978, it wasn't until she moved to Los Angeles, California in 1985 that she formally began her acting career. Living with her mother and attending North Hollywood High School, she successfully auditioned for agents while visiting her father in Santa Barbara. CareerHannigan'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 would later join her in the regular cast of Buffy as her on-screen boyfriend. Throughout most of the early 1990s, she appeared in commercials and supporting roles on television shows, including Picket Fences, Roseanne and Touched by an Angel. In 1997, Hannigan was cast to play Willow Rosenberg, Buffy's best friend, on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The show became a big success, and Hannigan gained recognition, subsequently appearing in several notable films aimed at teenage audiences, including American Pie, American Pie 2, Boys and Girls, and American Wedding. By the time Buffy had ended in 2003, Hannigan was earning a $250,000 salary for each episode. She also had a guest spot on the Buffy spin-off, Angel, portraying her role of Willow in a few episodes (including most notably "Orpheus", during Buffy's seventh season), but none after Buffy finished production. 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. In 2005, she returned to starring in a regular television series, appearing in the currently-running show, How I Met Your Mother, as Lily, and also playing a recurring guest role on Veronica Mars as Trina Echolls. In February 2006, Date Movie, in which Hannigan stars as a character meant to be a parody on romantic comedy heroines, was released in theaters. Hannigan recently presented a Grammy at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Selected filmography
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Coach Nash (Gary Cole) is one of the most popular teachers at Tate High School. When he pays special attention to Amy (Nicholle = Tom), a fourteen year-old freshman, she is flattered - until he crosses the line by seducing her. Soon the rumor mill is in full swing and Amy is too ashamed to confide in anyone. The principal dismisses the suspicions because of the coach's importance to the football team. His behavior toward Amy becomes increasingly erratic and he even threatens suicide. Finally, Amy breaks down and confesses the truth to her mother (Mary Kay Place). Coach Nash pleads guilty and receives a jail sentence for his actions. But, Amy's parents feel the school system should be held responsible for failure to protect their daughter from this predator. With the help of an attorney who shares the same convictions, they are determined to set a precedent to protect other children in the future. Indecent Seduction is a captivating tale inspired by true events, featuring outstanding performances from Gary Cole, Mary Kay Place, Nicholle Tom, Mac Davis and Alyson Hannigan. |
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| Reviewer: David Litton (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) Band Camp Girl 1: "Where'd you put my clarinet?" Jim hasn't learned a thing since losing his virginity before graduating high school, and becomes frantic when he learns that Nadia is coming to pay him a "visit." Desperate for advice on his technique, he goes to "flute fetish" Michelle, who seems to want more than just to give him advice. Kevin has mixed feelings about his past relationship with Vicki, who shows up with sex educator Jessica. Oz and Heather's relationship has blossomed into full bloom, while Stifler is constantly looking for a good lay and arguing with Finch, who is continually obsessing about Stifler's mom. It won't win any Academy Awards, but "American Pie 2" is for this year what "Scary Movie" was to last year's crowds. It's side-splitting and outrageous, and knows just how to make us laugh in all the right ways. Laugh if you dare, for you may not be able to stop! |
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Still going strong!, August 12, 2006 |