Alexis Denisof

Alexis Denisof is an American actor best known for his memorable turn as Wesley Wyndam‑Pryce on the cult‑favorite television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin‑off Angel. Born on February 25, 1966, in Salisbury, Maryland, he spent his early childhood in Seattle before attending St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire and later training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where he honed both his stagecraft and combat choreography skills. Denisof began his professional journey in the late 1980s, working behind the scenes as a fight director for several BBC productions before landing his first leading film role opposite Sir Christopher Lee in the 1989 thriller Murder Story. His breakout television appearance came in 1999 when Joss Whedon introduced his character Wesley as a replacement Watcher for Buffy, a role that was originally slated for a single episode but was extended after producers recognized his strong on‑screen presence. The character evolved into a swaggering, motorcycle‑riding demon hunter on Angel, where Denisof became a core cast member and appeared in the majority of the series’ episodes. After Angel concluded, Denisof diversified his portfolio with guest spots on popular sitcoms such as How I Met Your Mother, where he portrayed the flamboyant Sandy Rivers, as well as dramatic roles in Private Practice, Dollhouse and the Marvel cinematic universe, appearing as “The Other” in both Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers. In addition to screen work, he remained active on stage, performing in productions like Rope at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and embraced emerging media through web series like H+ and Little Women, Big Cars. His personal life is closely linked to his professional world; he married his former Buffy co‑star Alyson Hannigan in 2003, and the couple has two daughters who reside with them in Encino, Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Denisof has been praised for his versatile performances, comic timing, and willingness to tackle physically demanding roles, making him a respected figure among genre fans and industry peers alike.