Kristy Swanson, born on December 19, 1969, in Laguna Beach, California, is an American actress best known for her role as Buffy Summers in the 1992 cult film "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

She began her career at a young age, expressing interest in acting to her parents when she was just nine years old. Her first job was a commercial for a dollhouse, and she quickly landed several more commercial roles.

Her early acting education came from The Actors Workshop with R. J. Adams, and she made her screen debut in the 1984 sitcom "It's Your Move." Her first starring role came in 1986 with Wes Craven's horror film "Deadly Friend," where she played Samantha, the "girl next door."

The following year, she starred as Cathy Dollanganger in the film adaptation of V. C. Andrews' "Flowers in the Attic." Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, she appeared in several films, including "Pretty in Pink" (1986), "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986), "Hot Shots!" (1991), and "Mannequin Two: On the Move" (1991).

In 1992, Kristy Swanson took on the iconic role of Buffy Summers in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a role that would define her career. Although the film was not a box office hit initially, it gained a strong following through rentals and became a cult classic.

She continued to work in both film and television throughout the 1990s, appearing in movies like "The Program" (1993), "The Chase" (1994), and "8 Heads in a Duffel Bag" (1997). She also had a memorable role in the comedy "Big Daddy" (1999) and the comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?" (2000).

Kristy Swanson is known for her sense of humor and has appeared in several comedy films. She is also an accomplished figure skater and has actively supported various animal welfare organizations. Kristy Swanson married her "Skating with Celebrities" partner, Lloyd Eisler, in 2009, and they have a son together.