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).

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.

Amber was to return to "Buffy" in the 7th season, (following Tara's death) playing a being posing as Tara Maclay. However, negotiations with the show fell through. Her decision not to return was at least in part 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. The character was retooled and the role went to Azura Skye reprising her role of Cassie Newton instead.

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.

Has a three-book deal with Penguin Publishing. Her first original novel has been announced as "Death's Daughter," the story of a young career woman in New York who finds out her dad is actually the angel of death.

She sang on two tracks of fellow "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) co-star, Anthony Head's solo CD project, "Music for Elevators".

Wrote a comic book based on the characters of Willow and Tara as part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic books series.

Parents are Ed and Diane Benson. Her younger sister, Danielle, is an artist.

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.

As a young teenager, co-anchored (along with A.J. McLean, later of the Backstreet Boys) the pilot for a proposed television news program aimed at kids. However, the pilot was not picked up.

She was born on Elvis Presley's birthday (January 8th) in 1977 (the year of Elvis' death.)

Lives in Los Angeles with her mother, her dog Pennsylvania (aka Penny) and her cat Benneton (aka Benny).

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.

Shares a birthday with director Francesco Roder and actress Sarah Polley.

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.

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".

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.

She traveled to Romania to film the movie Taboo (2002).

Played in a band called Rhodestar with Hayley Taylor.

Is a vegetarian.

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).

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.