Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Career Hiatus After Robin Williams’ Passing

Key Takeaways

• Sarah Michelle Gellar took a break from acting after the death of her Crazy Ones costar Robin Williams in 2014
• The break allowed her to focus on her children and gain a new perspective on her profession
• Gellar primarily worked on animated projects during her hiatus, but is now returning to live-action roles
• She is set to star in the film Ready or Not 2: Here We Come and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival
• Gellar hopes she has found a balance between her career and family life, and is grateful to have been able to return to acting

Introduction to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Acting Hiatus
Sarah Michelle Gellar, the actress known for her iconic role as Buffy in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, stepped away from acting after the death of her Crazy Ones costar Robin Williams in 2014. In a recent conversation with Evan Ross Katz on his podcast Shut Up Evan, Gellar reflected on how Williams’ passing led her to reevaluate her priorities and take a break from her acting career. The actress had been working non-stop since the birth of her children, and the loss of her friend and costar was a wake-up call that made her realize she needed to take a step back and focus on her family.

The Impact of Robin Williams’ Death on Gellar
Gellar remembered the time she spent working on The Crazy Ones, a sitcom that was canceled after one season, just a few months before Williams’ death. She had started working on the show when her son was just three months old, and was breastfeeding throughout the entire production. The combination of the show’s cancellation, Williams’ passing, and the overwhelming factors in her life led her to a period of introspection. She thought that maybe the loss of her friend was a sign that she needed to slow down and appreciate the moments she had with her loved ones. This realization led her to take a break from acting, a decision she is grateful for, as it allowed her to be extremely present with her family.

Gellar’s Time Away from Acting
During her hiatus, Gellar primarily focused on her children and provided voice work in animated projects. She said that she didn’t miss a single moment with her kids, including school shows, performances, and milestones like first steps and lost teeth. This time away from the spotlight also helped her gain a new perspective on her profession. She realized that she had been defining herself by her work, and that she needed to find a better balance between her career and personal life. Gellar said that she now picks her projects more carefully, choosing roles that she truly wants to work on, rather than feeling the need to constantly be working.

Gellar’s Return to Acting
Gellar is now returning to live-action roles, with her first non-cameo performance since 2009’s Veronika Decides to Die. She is set to star in the film Ready or Not 2: Here We Come, alongside Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton. The actress is also returning to her most iconic series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in a revival that will feature a new slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. Gellar hopes that she has found a balance between her career and family life, and is grateful to have been able to return to acting. She acknowledges that it’s not always possible to predict how audiences will respond to an actor’s return, but she feels lucky to have been able to find a place for herself in the industry again.

Gellar’s Reflection on Her Career and Personal Life
Gellar’s conversation with Katz also touched on her reflections on her career and personal life. She said that she used to define herself by her work, but now sees it as just one part of who she is. She hopes that she has struck the right balance between her career and family life, and is grateful for the time she had to focus on her children. Gellar’s story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to take a step back and reevaluate our priorities, and that sometimes, taking a break from our careers can be the best decision we can make for our personal and professional growth. With her return to acting, Gellar is excited to take on new challenges and explore new roles, while also being mindful of her responsibilities as a mother and a person.