“Buffy The Vampire Slayer” has been dubbed one of the most iconic television shows in history for a few years now. More importantly for us, it’s importance is right up there with shows that conquered the horror and science fiction genres such as “Star Trek” and “The Twilight Zone.” It even launched the careers of mainstream stars including David Boreanaz, James Marsters, and Alyson Hannigan. I’d saw it launched Sarah Michelle Gellar’s career too, but she was already an Emmy Award Winner when she signed on to the show.
BUFFY originally started as a movie in 1992 which starred Kristy Swanson as the title role. Eventually, the movie was adapted into the television show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” which ran from 1997 to 2003. “Angel,” a spin-off series featuring that title character lasted from 1999 to 2004. After both shows ended, the franchise still continued in the form of a proposed animated series, a short lived motion comic book series, and the official canon comic book series which is currently continuing as Buffy Season 10. The unstoppable appeal to science fiction fans has created its own world that fans like to call – The Buffyverse. Other Joss Whedon shows – including “Firefly” and “Dollhouse” – fall into The Whedonverse, and that’s a completely different topic!
Now, to the point of this post… Doing guest appearances on television shows is a great way to jumpstart a career in acting. And being on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” is no different. As an avid fan, it’s easy for me to watch the movie or an episode of the series and point out an actor performing a few lines of dialogue who is now a full fledged celebrity. For people who don’t follow The Buffyverse, this may be a difficult task.
I’ve taken the liberty of researching, and I’ve compiled a list of actors and actress before they were famous who appeared in The Buffyverse. You can find the list just below. Who is your favorite?
Luke Perry
Buffyverse: Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Character: Pike, Buffy’s love interest
After Buffyverse: “Mortal Combat,” The Fifth Element, “90210,” “Oz,” “Jeremiah,” “Windfall”
Hilary Swank
Buffyverse: Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Character: Kimberly, Buffy’s frenemie
After Buffyverse: The Karate Kid, “90210,” Boys Don’t Cry, The Black Dahlia, Freedom Writers, The Reaping, PS I Love You
Ben Affleck
Buffyverse: Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Character: Basketball Player #10, cameo
After Buffyverse: Dazed & Confused, Mallrats, Good Will Hunting, Armageddon, Dogma, Reindeer Games, Daredevil, Argo, Batman vs. Superman
Alexis Arquette
Buffyverse: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Character: Vampire DJ, cameo
After Buffyverse: Of Mice & Men, Pulp Fiction, The Wedding Singer, Children of The Corn V, Bride of Chucky, She’s All That, “The Surreal Life”
Eric Balfour
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episodes 1.1 and 1.2
Character: Jesse, Xander’s best guy friend who was sired by Darla
After Buffyverse: What Women Want, “Six Feet Under,” The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, “24,” Dinoshark, “Haven”
Clea Duvall
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 1.11
Character: Marcy, the bullied girl who turns invisible
After Buffyverse: The Faculty, She’s All That, Girl Interrupted, Identity, The Grudge, “Heroes”, Argo, “American Horror Story,” Lizzie Borden Took An Ax
Jason Behr
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 2.7
Character: Billy Ford, Buffy’s old crush who now wants to be a vampire
After Buffyverse: “Push,” “Roswell,” “Dawson’s Creek” The Grudge, Skinwalkers, “Breakout Kings”
Wentworth Miller
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 2.20
Character: Gage, the swim team member targeted by fish people
After Buffyverse: Underworld, “Prison Break,” Resident Evil: Afterlife
Shane West
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 2.20
Character: Sean, another swim team member targeted by fish people
After Buffyverse: Dracula 2000, A Walk To Remember, “ER,” “Nikita,” “Salem”
Amy Adams
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 5.6
Character: Cousin Beth, one of Tara’s creepy hillbilly cousins
After Buffyverse: Cruel Intentions 2, Enchanted, Night at The Museum, Man of Steel, American Hustle
Amber Tamblyn
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 6.6
Character: Janice, Dawn’s best friend
After Buffyverse: The Ring, “Joan of Arcadia,” The Grudge 2, “House M.D.,” “Two and A Half Men”
Summer Glau
Buffyverse: “Angel,” episode 3.13
Character: Prima, cameo
After Buffyverse: “Firefly,” Serenity, “The Unit,” “The 4400,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles”
Felicia Day
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episodes 7.11,12,15,18,19,21,22
Character: Vi, one of the potential slayers
After Buffyverse: Bring It On Again, Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along, Red: Werewolf Hunter, “The Guild,” “Eureka,” “Supernatural,” “Annoying Orange”
Dania Ramirez
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episodes 7.18,19,20,21
Character: Caridad, another one of the potential slayers
After Buffyverse: Fat Albert, X-Men: The Last Stand, “The Sopranos,” Quarantine, “Heroes,” “Entourage,” American Reunion, Premium Rush, “Devious Maids”
Rachel Bilson
Buffyverse: “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” episode 7.18
Character: Colleen, one of the potentials in Xander’s “dream”
After Buffyverse: The Last Kiss, “The OC,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Hart of Dixie”
Sam Witwer
Buffyverse: “Angel,” episode 4.18
Character: John, honestly don’t remember this one…
After Buffyverse: “Battlestar Gallactica,” The Mist, “Smallville,” “Being Human”
Jackie Tohn
Buffyverse: “Angel,” episode 4.18
Character: Woman #1, cameo
After Buffyverse: Return to Sleepaway Camp, Monster of The House, 2009’s season of “American Idol”
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