Amber Benson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amber Benson
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Benson in 2012
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| Born | January 8, 1977 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
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| Years active | 1992–present |
Amber Benson (born January 8, 1977) is an American actress, writer, director, and producer. She is famous for playing Tara Maclay in the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1999–2002). Amber has also directed, produced, and starred in her own movies like Chance (2002) and Lovers, Liars & Lunatics (2006). She also acted in the film Kiss the Bride (2007).
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Early Life and Beginnings
Amber Benson was born on January 8, 1977, in Birmingham, Alabama. Her parents are Diane and Edward Benson. Her father is a psychiatrist. Amber has a younger sister named Danielle, who is an artist. Her family background includes both Jewish and Southern Baptist traditions.
Amber's Creative Career
Amber Benson was only 14 years old when she first appeared in a major film. This was in the Steven Soderbergh movie King of the Hill.
Becoming Tara Maclay in Buffy
Amber is best known for her role as Tara Maclay in the popular TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her character first showed up in the fourth season episode called "Hush". Tara soon became the girlfriend of Willow Rosenberg (played by Alyson Hannigan). Amber stayed with the show until its sixth season. Her character was written out of the series. In her very last episode, Amber was listed as a main cast member for the first time.
Singing in Buffy and Beyond
Amber Benson also showed off her singing skills in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, "Once More, with Feeling". She sang parts in several songs, including her solo "Under Your Spell". In 2002, she sang two songs on an album by her Buffy co-star Anthony Stewart Head. She also performed a song from The Rocky Horror Picture Show at a celebrity karaoke event.
Directing and Writing Films
While still working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amber started to explore other creative roles. She co-wrote a movie called The Theory of the Leisure Class, which came out in 2001. She also directed, produced, edited, and starred in her own digital film, Chance (2002). Her Buffy co-star James Marsters also appeared in this film. In 2003, she worked with director James Kerwin to put on her play Albert Hall in Hollywood.
Comic Books and Animated Series
Amber Benson has also worked on comic books. In 2001, she helped create a Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara comic book. The next year, she worked on two more Buffy comic books.
She also teamed up with Christopher Golden to create animated fantasy films for the BBC. These films, called Ghosts of Albion: Legacy (2003) and its sequels, are available online. Amber and Christopher also wrote two supernatural thriller books based on these films.
More Films and TV Roles
In 2003, Amber had a supporting role in the movie Latter Days. In 2006, she released her second independent film, Lovers, Liars & Lunatics. She directed and wrote this movie through her own company, Benson Entertainment. Part of the money for this film came from selling special Buffyverse action figures of her character, Tara.
Also in 2006, Amber played a "vegetarian" vampire named Lenore in the TV series Supernatural. She appeared in two episodes of the show.
Writing Novels
Amber Benson has written several novels. In December 2006, she and Christopher Golden released a short novel called The Seven Whistlers. She then signed a deal for a three-book series with Penguin Books. The first book, Death's Daughter, came out in 2009. She continued to write more books in this series. In 2014, she published another fantasy book called The Witches of Echo Park.
Recent Projects
In 2010, Amber co-directed the comedy film Drones with Adam Busch, another actor from Buffy. In 2012, she voiced a character in the Dark Shadows audio drama. She also guest starred in the web series Husbands.
In 2013, it was announced that Amber would star in a web TV series based on The Morganville Vampires. She narrated an audiobook in 2014. Most recently, in October 2023, Amber wrote, directed, and voiced a character in Slayers: A Buffyverse Story. This audio story also featured many of her former Buffy co-stars.
Activism
During the 2008 presidential election, Amber Benson appeared in an advertisement supporting Barack Obama. This ad was sponsored by MoveOn.org.
Personal Life
As of 2007, Amber Benson lives in Los Angeles. From 2002 to 2009, she dated Adam Busch, who played Warren Mears on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They remain good friends.
Images for kids
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Benson at a Buffy the Vampire Slayer wrap party in 2003
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Benson and novelist Anton Strout at Midtown Comics Downtown in Manhattan on March 5, 2011
See also
In Spanish: Amber Benson para niños
