Buffy, the Vampire Slayer: how are the actors today?

'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' was a cult classic that dominated TV for seven seasons. It premiered in March 1997 and soon became a hit with an army of loyal fans. Critics praised the show as one of best fictional programs in TV history.

After 144 episodes, 'Buffy' reached its end in May 2003. It has never really been away, though. Streaming platforms and lifetime fandom have kept the series alive. Let's revisit the cast and see what's become of them.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (1977) was only 19 when she started shooting the series, and yet she had an extensive acting background. It was the role of Buffy, though, that turned the actress into a world star.

Happily married to Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002, the actress devotes her time to her three passions: their children Charlotte Grace (2009) and Rocky James (2012), as well as her great hobby: baking. Sarah has even set up an online pastry shop called Foodstirs.

Since 'Buffy', Sarah Michelle Gellar has greatly limited her appearances on film and television so that she could devote more time to her family. In 2021, however, she's back on the screen with several dramaseries. What's she working on? Read the whole story

It's hard to believe, but the legendary David Boreanaz (1969) only appeared in 59 chapters of the series. Buffy's romantic interest became a series of its own: the spinoff of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was called 'Angel' and would reach five seasons.

David Boreanaz has not stood still. After finishing 'Angel' in 2004, the actor appeared in 'Bones' (2005). He played Booth for 12 seasons. The series ended in 2017, the same year that 'SEAL Team' started, and Boreanaz has played the character Jason for four years now. Meanwhile, the actor has been married to actress Jaime Bergman since 2001, and they have two children: Jaden Rayne (2002) and Bardot Vita (2009).

Alyson Hannigan (1975) was 21 when she joined 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' Just like Sarah Michelle Gellar, she already had an interesting career of nearly 10 years behind her. In 'Buffy,' Willow Rosenberg was not only a major character but also one of the most beloved by fans.

It would be difficult to overcome Willow as a character, but in 2005 another great role arrived. Lily Aldrin, her alter ego in 'How I Met Your Mother,' lasted for 9 seasons. And then, her Michelle Flaherty in the 'American Pie' saga is also legendary. Alyson is married Alexis Denisof, whom she met on the set of Buffy in 2003. The couple has two daughters: Satyana (2009) and Keeva Jane (2012).

Nicholas Brendon (1971) gave life to one of the illustrious members of the 'Scooby Gang', Buffy's allies in her fight against demons. His character, good-natured and at times naive, turned out to be the complete opposite of what the actor was in real life.

After the end of the series there was a continuous scandal surrounding Nicholas Brendon. He went into rehab various times between 2004 and 2010, got arrested three times between 2014 and 2015, and he even attempted suicide during a depressive episode. At present, Brendon seems to be doing better. He works on minor acting projects and sells his own paintings on his website.

Anthony Steward Head (1955) brought Rupert Giles to life, the mentor of Buffy the vampire slayer. He was a key character and a reference for the Scooby Gang.

Neither before nor after 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' has Anthony Head played a role as important as that of Giles. Since the end of the series, he did have several interesting projects, however. Among the outstanding are 'Little Britain', 'Warehouse 13' and 'The Stranger'. In his personal life, he has been married to Sarah Fisher since 1982 and they have two daughters: Emily Rose and Daisy May.

Michelle Christine Trachtenberg (1985) played Dawn Summers, Buffy's younger sister. She came to the series in the fifth season, but her arrival had already been dreamt of by Buffy in previous seasons. Although she arrived late, she became a legendary character in the series.

After finishing 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer', Michelle Trachtenberg became a regular face in various series' episodes and TV movies. Her performance of Georgina Sparks in 'Gossip Girl' was the most striking role, though. In recent years, she told 'The Hollywood Reporter,' she has worked more as a screenwriter than an actress.

James Marsters (1962) was 34 years old when he first got into Spike's shoes. He was an enemy in the show, but - spoiler alert! - later he became an ally and lover of Buffy. As a vampire, he caused a sensation among fans of the series. His blonde hair and all-black outfit were the hallmark of the sexiest vampire on TV.

James Marsters likes the supernatural, that's a fact. You only have to look at his filmography to see it, with titles like 'Smallville', 'Witches of East End', 'Torchwood' and 'Runaways'. In addition to being an actor, James Marsters is also a moderately successful rock singer. On the romantic side, he was married to Liane Davidson (1989-1997) with whom he had a daughter in 1996. Since 2011 he's been married to Patricia Jasmin Rahman.

Charisma Carpenter (1970) was Cordelia Chase for 57 episodes. As a matter of fact, this was originally the role Sarah Michelle Gellar was going to play. Cordelia, who started as a typical cheerleader - spoiler alert! - ended up being a great ally of Buffy and a Character with capital C.

The actress made the leap from 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' to 'Angel' where she starred in 90 episodes. After that series, Carpenter has always had work but nothing big. She appeared in 'Veronica Mars', 'Charmed' and 'Greek'. In 2002, at the height of the series' boom, the actress married Damien Hardy and they had a son a year later. Unfortunately, their marriage lasted only until 2008.

Later, in 2021, it became known that Carpenter had been bullied by 'Angel's creator Joss Whedon while pregnant of her son. Her revelation set off a series of accusations against the writer/director.

Amber Benson (1977) brought Tara Maclay from the membership of Willow's Wicca group to being Willow's lover in the fourth season. It was a plot twist that made television history and elevated the Tara-Willow couple to the TV cult altars of the time. Today, she is still remembered for this.

The sensible Tara Maclay has been the most relevant role for Amber Benson. Still, she has appeared in renowned series such as 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice'.

Also memorable has been her role in 'Supernatural' where Benson gave life to a vegan vampire.

Eliza Dushku (1980) was the second Slayer for only 20 chapters. Still, we remember her as if she had always been there. Stubborn but charming, Faith was a worthy successor to Buffy. So was Eliza Dushku who agreed to participate in 'Angel' but refused to star in another spinoff with her character as the protagonist.

Dushku has been away from acting for some years now, ever since she was fired from 'Bull' for complaining about co-star Michael Weatherly's harrassing behaviour. She filed a successful lawsuit about her dismissal and got $9.5 million from CBS for all four seasons of the series while only having played in three episodes. Apart from this, she has been married to Peter Palandjian since 2018.

Seth Green (1974) is Oz, a rock guitarist who comes to the 'Scooby Squad' through Willow. They find out that besides a musician he is also a werewolf. Oz lasted only 40 episodes in the series. He left in 2000 and has continued to work non-stop until today.

Without a doubt, this actor from the cast of 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' has worked the most. Since 1999 he has given his voice to Chris Griffin in 'Family Guy', a job that he has combined with many other voice-overs in well-known series such as 'Phineas and Ferb' and 'Titan Maximum'. Since 2010 he has been married to the socialite Clare Grant.