The renowned television personality is evoking nostalgic memories of the 90s for many of us. If you were raised on television during the 90s and early 2000s, you’ll likely recall that it was characterized by the emergence of teen dramas and daring comedies. Our TV screens were dominated by captivating American actors in popular shows like Dawson’s Creek, Charmed, Friends, and Sex and the City, offering a plethora of entertainment options after school or work.
Recently, a prominent actress from the late 90s has stirred up fond recollections of that era by sharing a series of throwback photos from her time on the iconic TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Alyson Hannigan portrayed the role of teenage witch Willow Rosenberg in the supernatural drama series, which aired from 1997 to 2003. Despite now being 52 years old, her performance in Buffy propelled her to stardom, complemented by various film roles in the 90s, including her portrayal of Michelle Flaherty in the American Pie franchise.
In a TikTok video, Alyson showcased her children asking about her past in the 90s, followed by a collection of photos from that time when she was in her twenties. These images featured magazine shoots and stills from Buffy and other concurrent shows she was part of.
Commenters quickly noticed the striking resemblance between Alyson in the present video and her pictures from three decades ago, with many exclaiming that she had “barely aged” over the years. Fans praised her as an icon of the 90s and 2000s, with some even humorously suggesting she might be a vampire due to her timeless appearance.
Many viewers shared how Alyson had been a significant part of their childhood in the 90s, with some confessing to having harbored crushes on her during their youth. Her roles in Buffy and American Pie were cited as influential in shaping their adult identities.
Following her success in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alyson continued to shine in other TV series, notably portraying Lily Aldrin in How I Met Your Mother for an impressive 206 episodes from 2005 to 2014. She more recently graced screens as a contestant on the 2023 season of Dancing with the Stars and participated in the cooking competition series Beat Bobby Flay in 2024.
Alyson’s most recent on-screen appearance was in the romantic comedy drama film Solo Mio, released in February 2026. In the film, she stars as Meghan alongside Kevin James, Kim Coates, Nicole Grimaudo, and Jonathan Roumie, with Andrea Bocelli playing a fictionalized version of himself and Ed Sheeran making a cameo appearance.