Too sensitive and sardonic to hang out with the jocks, too cool to be a nerd--Alexander (Xander) Lavelle Harris is the type who gets along better with the girls than the guys. He is intelligent and street-smart but has problems with certain school subjects such as Math.
He has lived in Sunnydale, California, all his life. His best friend is Willow who, somehow, manages to keep him going academically. He was also friends with Jesse, until he was turned into a vampire and accidentally staked by Xander. An only child, like Willow and Buffy, Xander comes from a family of blue collar workers. Very little else is known about the Harris family.
Overhearing a conversation between Buffy and Giles, Xander learned of the reality of vampires in his, until then idyllic, world. He and Willow both vowed to help the Slayer in her fight. Xander has loved Buffy from the moment he saw her but, eventually, realizes that nothing could ever happen between them. As a result he has become a loyal friend willing to put himself at risk to help her in her battle against the forces of evil.
When it comes to love Xander has a less than stellar success rate. Oblivious to the fact that his best friend is in love with him Xander has gamely chased after women who were not quite what he'd expected. These include a sexy substitute teacher who turned out to be a virgin eating she-mantis; a life-force stealing Incan girl and, the Slayer. Treasurer of the 'We Hate Cordelia Chase Fan Club' Xander unexpectedly finds himself attracted to the cheerleader.
Because of his own unrequited attraction to the Slayer Xander has a great deal of problems with Angel, the Slayers own love.
The character of Xander is played by Nicholas Brendon.