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Amber Benson Profile |
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Birth Date: January 8, 1977
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Birth Place: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Birth Name: Amber Nicole Benson
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Height: 5'4"
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Biography |
Amber Benson is an American actress best known for
playing Tara Maclay, Willow's girlfriend in the TV series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Benson has also written and directed movies for theaters and
television. Most notably, she wrote and directed 2002's
Chance and 2003's Ghosts of Albion:Legacy. She has also
written three comic books, two of them Buffy the Vampire
Slayer comics ("WannaBlessedBe" and "Wilderness"). In 2003
she collaborated with director James Kerwin, to produce her
play Albert Hall in Hollywood.
October of 2005 saw the publication of Ghosts of Albion:
Accursed, co-authored with novelist Christopher Golden. A
second Albion book is scheduled for release later in 2006.
Also due for release on DVD in September 2006 is Lovers,
Liars & Lunatics, the second film which she has written,
produced, and directed.
Benson is currently writing for comics once more,
collaborating with the likes of Ben Templesmith (30 Days Of
Night), Ashley Wood and Cristina Z, in the much awaited
'Shadowplay' for IDW Publications. This special four-part
split-book presents the fantastic art of Ashley Wood and Ben
Templesmith under one cover.
Benson currently resides in Los Angeles, California. |
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Other
Information |
Has had roles in movies with actors whom she would later
join on the cast of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997):
Lindsay Crouse and Eliza Dushku in Bye Bye Love (1995) and
Seth Green in Can't Hardly Wait (1998).
She is most proud of her work in the film King of the Hill
(1993), her appearances as 'Tara' on "Buffy the Vampire
Slayer" (1997) and her own movie project Chance (2002).
Loves to read and spends a lot of her "down time" on set
reading. Lists some of her favourite authors as Ray
Bradbury, Susan Cooper, Marion Zimmer Bradley, J.K. Rowling
(the 'Harry Potter' series) and Christopher Golden (the
'Body of Evidence' series).
Lives in Los Angeles with her mother, her dog Pennsylvania
(aka Penny) and her cat Benneton (aka Benny).
She traveled to Romania to film the movie Taboo (2002).
In 2001, at the age of just 24, Amber directed, wrote,
produced and starred in her own movie called Chance (2002).
It was presented at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002.
She was born on Elvis Presley's birthday (January 8th) in
1977 (the year of Elvis' death.)
Is a vegetarian.
Wrote a comic book based on the characters of Willow and
Tara as part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic books
series.
Amber was to return to "Buffy" in the 7th season, (following
Tara's death) playing a being posing as Tara Maclay.
However, negotiotions with the show fell through. The
character was retooled and the role went to Azura Skye
reprising her role of Cassie Newton instead.
Amber Benson arrived late at a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
convention in June, 2003, because a deer ran into her
mother's car in upstate New York.
According to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" producer Marti
Noxon, series creator Joss Whedon originally rejected her
for the role of Tara, feeling she wasn't the proper physical
type. But Noxon insisted that she be allowed to read for the
part again, and it was at the second audition that Whedon
realized she would be perfect for the part.
Is exactly thirty years younger than David Bowie.
Has a publishing deal along with author Christopher Golden
to write a series of original novels based upon their
animated BBCi film, "The Ghosts of Albion".
Wrote a vignette for Dark Horse Comics' "Tales of the
Slayer" graphic novel, with Joss Whedon and other Buffy TV
and comic writers. Benson wrote about a vampire slayer from
The French Revolution period, who accidentally killed a man.
At age 6, she danced in the Alabama Ballet Company's
production of "The Nutcracker." She was also a member of the
Birmingham Children's Theater.
Parents are Herb and Diane Benson. Her younger sister,
Danielle, is an artist.
Amber declined to return to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
(1997) in the seventh season, because creator Joss Whedon
wanted her to play a villain masquerading as her slain
character, Tara. Knowing how Tara's death had upset so many
of her fans, Amber did not want to further traumatize them
by having the character seemingly return from the grave, but
being evil.
She suffered a badly broken foot in early 2004 when
landscapers left a barrel full of discarded sod in her yard,
and she tried to move it to the curb and it fell on her
foot. She had to film her part in Intermedio (2005) on
crutches as a result.
Joss Whedon originally wanted to resurrect Amber's
character, Tara, in the series finale of "Buffy the Vampire
Slayer" (1997). Buffy was to be given one wish, which she
would agonize over for the entire episode. Finally, she
would step aside to reveal Tara for the final shot.
Shares a birthday with director Francesco Roder and actress
Sarah Polley.
She sang on two tracks of fellow "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
(1997) co-star, Anthony Head's solo CD project, "Music for
Elevators". |
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