Alyson Hannigan

Often playing socially awkward but ultimately lovable characters, actress Alyson Hannigan carved a niche for herself in some of the more popular television and film franchises of the day. After making her film debut in the Dan Aykroyd comedy "My Stepmother Is an Alien" (1988), she quickly landed the first of her many fan-favorite roles, beginning with wallflower Willow Rosenberg on the popular genre series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (The WB, 1997-2001; UPN, 2001-03). In addition to making regular appearances on the "Buffy" spin-off, "Angel" (The WB, 1999-2004), Hannigan also voiced one of the most-quoted lines of film dialogue of the decade in the teen sex comedy "American Pie" (1999). The surprise hit of the year, it quickly spawned several sequels, "American Pie 2" (2001), "American Wedding" (2003) and "American Reunion" (2012). Still riding the wave of popularity enjoyed by the "Pie" cast, she switched gears and returned to television with the hit sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS, 2005-14), starring alongside another talented cast that included Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel. Quirky, yet endearing, Hannigan had both the talent and appeal to ensure a lengthy career as an in-demand ensemble player.