Alexis Denisof American actor Date of Birth: 25.02.1966 Country: USA

Biography of Alexis Denisof

Alexis Denisof is an American actor known for his role as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce in the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003) and its spin-off "Angel" (1999-2004). He was born on February 25, 1966 in Salisbury, Maryland. His family immigrated during the revolution, with his grandfather coming from the Moscow region and his grandmother from Odessa, although there were also French relatives in her family. In the early 1920s, his grandparents met and got married in New York. On his mother's side, Alexis has relatives in Ireland. "That's where my silly last name comes from," Alexis always jokes.

Denisof grew up in Seattle, where he began his acting career in local contemporary theater productions. At the age of 13, he was sent to the prestigious St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. Alexis also studied at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in London for three years. During his studies in England, Alexis found success on the theater stage, including participating in the play "Hamlet" with Ian McKellen in the lead role.

On October 11, 2003, Alexis Denisof married his co-star from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Alyson Hannigan. Alexis made his film debut in George Harrison's music video for the song "Got My Mind Set on You." He later admitted that he accepted the role in the video just to meet the former Beatle. Alexis lived in London for 13 years before returning to America.

Upon returning to the United States, Alexis struggled to find work and didn't even have the means to find a place to live. Fortunately, actress Mary Steenburgen, known for her roles in films such as "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993) and "Step Brothers" (2007), helped Alexis. Alexis met Mary on the set of the TV project "Noah's Ark" (1999) and she offered him a place to stay with her and her husband. "Ted and Mary were my saviors," Alexis later told journalists. "Without their emotional and psychological support, I would have been lost."

His relationship with future wife Alyson Hannigan didn't start off smoothly. During the filming of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Alyson herself offered to date Alexis, but he declined, explaining that he never falls in love with his co-stars, as it is his life rule. By the time Denisof left the project, Alyson was dating someone else. However, they remained close friends and soon grew closer to each other, and all their mutual acquaintances were convinced that they were dating. Both of them were afraid that if their romantic relationship didn't work out, they would lose their friendship. However, their relationship worked out and led to their wedding.

Before filming the final season of "Angel," Alexis was diagnosed with Bell's palsy. During the shooting of the first episode, director Joss Whedon tried to film Denisof from the right side, as his left side of the face was paralyzed at the time. Later, Alexis and his wife Alyson became the godparents of Arden, Joss Whedon's son.