Charisma Carpenter, who gained fame in the 1990s as Cordelia Chase on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off "Angel," recently marked her 56th birthday. The actress shared a series of photos on Instagram celebrating her birthday festivities, which included dancing, live music, travel, and boating.
Carpenter, who also posed nude for Playboy four months after her last "Angel" episode aired in 2004, showcased a toned physique in a recent bikini photo. She reflected on the challenges of maintaining her figure as she ages, noting in a 2013 interview that hitting 40 required significant effort.
"My weakness is potato chips and I love a good cocktail. My metabolism has changed so much and I just have to work really, really hard at it, so it’s not easy," Carpenter stated previously. She emphasized the need for "good, old-fashioned diet and exercise," especially when working alongside younger actors.
Despite the demanding nature of maintaining her appearance for roles, Carpenter has expressed positive reflections on her past. She stated that after having her son, she felt she looked her best, and that posing for Playboy was when she "felt in my life." She also noted working out regularly with trainer Marc Monroe, who utilized varied methods like boxing and outdoor workouts.
In 2021, Carpenter publicly shared allegations against "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon, claiming he made disparaging remarks about her weight during her pregnancy on "Angel" and ultimately fired her. She later returned to the "Buffyverse" in 2023 for the Audible Original series "Slayers," a project Whedon was not involved with. Carpenter initially felt apprehension about rejoining the franchise but was reassured by the "enthusiasm" of co-star Amber Benson, who created "Slayers."