Alysson Hannigan

MOVIE  ''American Pie''
BOX OFFICE  $101.7 million
THE BASICS  Hannigan, who steals the show in ''Pie'' with one particularly nasty punchline, wasn't afraid to rehash her high school days for this film and ended up making one of the smartest career moves of the summer.
WHAT SHE SAID  '''Scream' brought back into focus how many teenagers go to see films and really want entertainment. But this isn't just a teen movie. It's a funny, quality movie that people can relate to.''
WHAT WE SAY  Keep up the good work. ''She was smart to pick a project that young audiences could really get excited about, and it gave her an immediate boost on the cool-o-meter,'' says EW's Hochman. Plus, becoming part of an ensemble cast took the pressure off Hannigan, 25, and allowed her to shine in a quirky role that's a far cry from ''Buffy'''s shy and sweet Willow. Her next choice seems equally savvy. She's teaming in 2000 with ''American Pie'' costar Jason Biggs and Freddie Prinze Jr. in the romantic comedy ''Boys and Girls.''

Hannigan was born in April 1974 in Washington D.C. She began her career in Atlanta doing commercials, working steadily in national spots for companies like McDonald's, Six Flags Amusement Parks and Oreo cookies. When Hannigan was 11, she moved to Los Angeles in hopes of breaking into film and television. Her breakthrough role came 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 Sprit." In her free time, the Washington, D.C. native and Dr. Seuss fan likes to surf the web, practice kick-boxing and spend time with her dogs and cats. She currently resides in Los Angeles.