Editing Alyson Hannigan (section)

== Career ==

=== 1986–2004: Career beginnings and breakthrough ===
Hannigan'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 later joined her in the regular cast of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' as her on-screen boyfriend.<ref name=CBS/> In 1989, her first regular role on a television series came when she was cast in the short-lived [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Free Spirit (TV series)|Free Spirit]]''. 
[[File:Alyson Hannigan at HIMYM.jpg|alt=Hannigan smiling|thumb|260x260px|Hannigan at a celebration of the 100th episode of ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'' at the Paley Centre, 2010.]]
In 1997, Hannigan was cast to play [[Willow Rosenberg]], [[Buffy Summers]]' best friend, on the [[supernatural]] [[Television show|television series]] ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Where Are They Now? Buffy the Vampire Slayer |work=[[People (American magazine)|People]] |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20170817,00.html |date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202164519/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20170817,00.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014}}</ref> The show became a success, and Hannigan gained recognition, subsequently appearing in several films aimed at teenage audiences, including ''[[Boys and Girls (2000 film)|Boys and Girls]]'' (2000).<ref name="CBS" /> She had a supporting role as [[Michelle Flaherty]] in the [[comedy film]] ''[[American Pie (film)|American Pie]]'' (1999), and appeared in a much larger role in its sequels ''[[American Pie 2]]'' (2001) and ''[[American Wedding]]'' (2003).<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Pie Cast Reunites After 20 Years! Watch Them Discuss the Infamous Band Camp Line |url=https://people.com/movies/american-pie-cast-reminisces-one-time-at-band-camp/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, ''[[Forbes]]'' reported that the ''[[American Pie (film series)|American Pie]]'' films have grossed $989.5 million at the worldwide box office, and became a [[Popular culture|pop culture]] [[phenomenon]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |title=Seann William Scott Talks 'Goon' Sequel, More 'American Pie' And 'Dude, Where's My Car?' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2017/08/28/seann-william-scott-talks-goon-sequel-stifler-more-american-pie-and-dude-wheres-my-car/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leigh |first=Clarissa |date=2023-02-22 |title=Why the American Pie Movies Were So Popular and Successful |url=https://movieweb.com/american-pie-why-so-popular-and-successful/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref>

She also had a recurring guest spot on the ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]], ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', reprising her role of Willow. In early 2004, Hannigan made her [[West End of London|West End]] debut, starring in a stage adaptation of ''[[When Harry Met Sally...]]'' at the [[Haymarket Theatre|Theatre Royal Haymarket]], opposite [[Luke Perry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/harrysally-rev.htm |title=When Harry Met Sally, Review by Philip Fisher (2004) |publisher=British Theatre Guide |access-date=April 18, 2010 |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024213823/https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/harrysally-rev.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2005–2014: Success with ''How I Met Your Mother'' ===
In early 2005, she had a recurring guest role as [[Trina Echolls]] in three episodes of [[UPN]]'s teen mystery series ''[[Veronica Mars]].'' In September 2005, Hannigan returned to starring in a regular television series, taking the main role of [[Lily Aldrin]] in [[CBS]]' [[sitcom]] ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/01/veronica_mars_s.html |title='Veronica Mars' scoop |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 20, 2006 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813214845/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/01/veronica_mars_s.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The series followed architect [[Ted Mosby]] and his group of friends in [[New York City]].<ref name=":1" /> Ted recounts to his children the events that led him to meet [[The Mother (How I Met Your Mother)|their mother]]. Hannigan's character Lily was a kindergarten teacher and amateur painter, who eventually married lawyer [[Marshall Eriksen]], portrayed by [[Jason Segel]]. Hannigan won the [[People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Award]] for Favorite TV Comedy Actress in 2010. Known for its unique structure, humor, and incorporation of dramatic elements, ''How I Met Your Mother'' was popular throughout its run.<ref name=":2" /> The series ran for nine seasons and the one-hour [[series finale]] aired on March 31, 2014.<ref name=":3" />

In February 2006, she starred as Julia Jones in ''[[Date Movie]]'', a parody of [[Romantic comedy|romantic comedies]].<ref name="CBS" /> She was also a guest star on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] animated [[sitcom]] ''[[The Goode Family]]'' in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2009/07/06/the-goode-family-recap-graffiti-in-greenville/ |title="The Goode Family" Recap: Graffiti In Greenville |last=Harrison |first=Stacey |date=July 6, 2009 |work=Channel Guide Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517194446/https://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2009/07/06/the-goode-family-recap-graffiti-in-greenville/ |archive-date=May 17, 2018}}</ref>

Hannigan joined forces with [[Emily Deschanel]], [[Jaime King]], [[Minka Kelly]], and [[Katharine McPhee]] in a "video [[Sleepover|slumber party]]" featured on [[FunnyOrDie|FunnyorDie.com]] to promote regular [[breast cancer]] screenings for the organization [[Stand Up to Cancer|Stand Up 2 Cancer]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Kate Stanhope |title=Deschanel, Hannigan and Others Cop a Feel for a Cause |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Deschanel-Hannigan-Cop-1010367.aspx |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=October 1, 2009 |access-date=October 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001221130/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Deschanel-Hannigan-Cop-1010367.aspx |archive-date=October 1, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hannigan reprised the role of Michelle in the comedy film ''[[American Reunion]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-04-04/how-i-met-your-mother-alyson-hannigan-cobie-smulders/54301680/1 |title=Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and 'Mother'-hood |work=[[USA Today]] |date=April 15, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713021150/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-04-04/how-i-met-your-mother-alyson-hannigan-cobie-smulders/54301680/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film followed the friends attending a [[high school reunion]] thirteen years after graduating from high school. The film was a success at the box office, and grossed $235 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Reunion |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2739111425/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> For her role in the film, she was nominated for [[2012 Teen Choice Awards|Choice Movie Actress: Romantic Comedy]] award at the [[2012 Teen Choice Awards]].

=== 2015–present: Television hosting ===
Hannigan hosted the television series ''[[Penn & Teller: Fool Us]]'' from 2016 to 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/31/alyson-hannigan-penn-teller-fool-us-season-3 |first=Natalie |last=Abrams |title=Alyson Hannigan tapped to host Penn & Teller: Fool Us in season 3 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403031913/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/31/alyson-hannigan-penn-teller-fool-us-season-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hannigan played [[Ann Possible]], Kim's mother, in the [[Disney Channel]] original film ''[[Kim Possible (film)|Kim Possible]]'' (2019), based on the [[Kim Possible|animated series]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Swift |first1=Andy |title=Kim Possible Movie: Alyson Hannigan Playing Mom, 5 Other Key Roles Cast |url=http://tvline.com/2018/05/25/kim-possible-movie-cast-first-photo-alyson-hannigan/ |website=TVLine |access-date=May 25, 2018 |date=May 25, 2018 |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724004144/https://tvline.com/2018/05/25/kim-possible-movie-cast-first-photo-alyson-hannigan/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She voiced the role of Claire Nancy in [[Disney Jr.|Disney Junior]]'s animated series ''[[Fancy Nancy (TV series)|Fancy Nancy]]'' (2018–2022). The show ran for three seasons and the series finale aired on February 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fancy Nancy To End After 3 Seasons On Disney Junior |url=https://disneytvanimation.com/post/663799924989788160/fancy-nancy-to-end-after-3-seasons-on-disney |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Tumblr}}</ref>

In September 2023, Hannigan was announced as one of the contestants on [[Dancing with the Stars (American season 32)|season 32]] of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (American TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'', partnering with [[Sasha Farber]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='Dancing with the Stars': Mauricio Umansky, Jason Mraz and Alyson Hannigan Among Cast for Season 32 |url=https://people.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-32-cast-7968289 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=Peoplemag|archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207210633/https://people.com/dancing-with-the-stars-season-32-cast-7968289 |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple made it to the finals and finished in fifth place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alyson Hannigan Says She Lost 20 Lbs. of 'Both Weight and Emotional Baggage' on Dancing with the Stars |url=https://people.com/alyson-hannigan-lost-20-lbs-dancing-with-the-stars-8413902 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=Alyson Hannigan shares before-and-after pics from 'DWTS': '20 pounds of both weight and emotional baggage' |url=https://www.today.com/health/mind-body/alyson-hannigan-dwts-weight-loss-rcna128886 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}</ref>