Editing David Boreanaz (section)

== Breakthrough Role ==

Boreanaz's discovery—reportedly spotted walking his dog by a manager—led to his casting as Angel in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in 1997. The role, originally conceived as brief recurring character, expanded as the character's popularity grew, eventually spawning the spin-off series "Angel" in 1999. His portrayal of the vampire with a soul, combining romantic leading man qualities with supernatural darkness, established his screen presence and audience connection that subsequent roles would leverage.<ref name="stafford"/>

The "Angel" series, which ran until 2004, allowed deeper exploration of the character while demonstrating Boreanaz's ability to carry a show as its lead rather than as supporting player to Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy. The series' cult following, though never achieving mainstream ratings, confirmed that his appeal could sustain audience engagement across years of storytelling. The role's requirements—action, romance, comedy, drama—provided range that less demanding parts might not have revealed.<ref name="havens"/>