Haunted Hannigan History

Alyson Hannigan has played some iconic roles with lines that will be parroted from generation to generation.

Hannigan Start

Twenty years ago, actors got their start in commercials, and Hannigan is part of that generation. As a child, she appeared in a spot for Mylanta, an over-the-counter medication that helps relieve indigestion. It was a mortifying experience for the young actress.

During her 2021 appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Hannigan shared that she was bullied over the commercial.

“I got teased so much about that commercial that it sort of traumatized me a little bit, and I had an audition for a feminine hygiene product right after that while it was airing, and I was already so mortified, I was like, ‘I can’t do this.'”

As a teenager, Hannigan had a recurring role on the “Free Spirit” sitcom and had guest spots on other shows like “Roseanne” and “Touched by an Angel” before landing the first iconic role that put her on the map.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ a Role Almost Missed

The show that debuted in 1997 with Hannigan as Willow, appearing in every episode (except the pilot) across seven seasons, became her calling card, but it almost did not happen.

“Buffy the Vampire” creator Joss Whedon wanted Melanie Lynskey to play the part of Willow; however, she was having visa issues and did not particularly want the role. The part went to Riff Regan, who was Willow in the pilot episode.

Hannigan replaced Regan, which was a surprise as her audition did not go well. Hannigan told People, “I walked into a door, and I forgot all my lines.

At her eighth reading for the role, she was given a new set of lines containing a significant amount of computer jargon that she did not understand. “I got to that part, and the words just started swimming, and I don’t think I was speaking English at one point.”

Whedon was not looking for her to read her lines perfectly; he was focused on her chemistry with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nicholas Brendon, which she had in spades.

‘This One Time at Band Camp’

The iconic line for the “American Pie” generation causes Hannigan to panic when fans approach her and her two daughters. In 2020, on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she was asked if people ask her to say the line and the prom afterparty story. “Yes, they do. But I have two daughters now, and when they’re with me, and somebody starts saying the line, I’m like, ‘Can we just stop there? I get really panicked.”

“American Pie” co-star Eugene Levy, who was also on Clarkson’s couch, could relate. He talked about his teenage son being invited to the premiere of the movie, but a friend told him not to watch it with his parents.

For those not familiar with the movie, Jim (Jason Biggs) reluctantly goes to the prom with Michelle (Hannigan) in the first movie. The two cement their relationship in the second movie and eventually get married in “American Wedding,” however, she almost did not star in the second installment of the franchise.

In the ’90s, she was still making a name for herself and had no choice but to accept the low pay rate for the movie. The producers attempted to make her commit to a sequel at that time, but said it did not make sense to sign on for more than one movie at that pay.

“I said, ‘Look, I’m getting paid scale plus 20. I’m not going to sign for a sequel. That doesn’t make sense. So they took that out, which ended up being really nice for me when I did the sequel,” Hannigan told Venture.

In 2012, she played Michelle a fourth and final time in “American Reunion.”

Stalker Threats

In 2013, Hannigan was granted an order of protection against 43-year-old John Hobbs from New Hampshire. Hobbs posted a series of messages online threatening to kill both her and her husband, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star Alexis Denisof.

Per court documents, Hannigan said she was “in severe fear for my safety and the safety of my family.” Hannigan’s legal team read some of the vile messages in court. In one Facebook post, Hobbs wrote: “With that said, in 2013 I still can marry you tomorrow. I can kill you tomorrow too. Cause I simply like and love you as you live life. Aly…It doesn’t end. Even after death.”

‘How I Met Your Mother’ Kisses

Hannigan was married in 2003, and “How I Met Your Mother” premiered in 2005 with Hannigan playing the role of Lily, who was the fiancée and eventual wife of Marshall (Jason Segal). Segal was a heavy smoker, and she did not like kissing him.

“It’s like kissing an ashtray, and he’s trying to be polite by having gum or mints, but it doesn’t help,” she told Digital Spy in 2008.

Segal wanted to quit smoking and came up with a system that would have ideally made it happen. He agreed to pay her $10 for every cigarette he had. “After the first day, he owed me $200.”

The show ran for nine seasons and over 200 episodes.

Failed Pilots

After “How I Met Your Mother” came to an end, Hannigan was to star in “More Time With Family,” a comedy series produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

The show was going to follow a man (Tom Papa) who changes his life to spend more time with his wife and children. The show never came to pass.

A few years later, she was going to be a part of the TV adaptation of the 1996 film “The First Wives Club.” Hannigan would have starred alongside Vanessa Lachey and Megan Hilty, but it did not go anywhere.

She also did a pilot for “Man of the House,” a multi-camera comedy about two sisters who raise their children together after their divorces. Again, it did not go any further.

Regular Work Anyway

Despite a few failed pilots, Hannigan still works regularly. She hosted “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” and recently appeared in the romantic comedy with Kevin James, “Solo Mio.”

Hannigan was also on “Dancing With the Stars” briefly and says the show helped her lose 20 pounds.

Looper: Tragic Details About How I Met Your Mother Star Alyson Hannigan
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AOL: Tragic Details About How I Met Your Mother Star Alyson Hannigan

Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License