Sarah Michelle Gellar Opens Up About How Robin Williams’ Death Changed Her Life and Career

Sarah Michelle Gellar is speaking candidly about a painful chapter in her life and how it reshaped her priorities—both as an actor and as a mother.

In a recent appearance on the podcast Shut Up Evan, Gellar reflected on the profound impact of Robin Williams’ death in 2014. The two worked closely together on the sitcom The Crazy Ones, which ended shortly before Williams passed away.

At the time, Gellar was already navigating an intense period in her personal life. She had just welcomed her second child and returned to work when her son was only three months old. Juggling long filming days while breastfeeding, she said the emotional weight eventually caught up with her.

When Williams died, everything seemed to hit at once. Gellar described feeling overwhelmed, emotionally lost, and deeply affected by the sudden loss of someone she admired and cared about. The moment forced her to stop and reflect on how quickly life can change—and how easy it is to miss the present while constantly pushing forward.

That realization led her to step away from acting.

Taking a break, she said, allowed her to be fully present for her children in a way her demanding career never had. She didn’t miss a single milestone—no first steps, school events, or small everyday moments that working actors often sacrifice. For Gellar, that time became priceless.

The pause also changed how she views her career. Instead of chasing the next job or defining herself by constant work, she learned to see acting as just one part of who she is. Now, she chooses projects based on genuine interest, creative joy, and the people involved—rather than pressure or fear of being forgotten.

Still, stepping away wasn’t without risk. Gellar admitted there’s always uncertainty when an actor leaves the spotlight, no matter how established they are. Audiences move on, and opportunities can disappear. She feels grateful that, in her case, the door remained open.

That door is now wide open again. Gellar is set to appear in Ready or Not 2: Here We Come, marking her first non-cameo live-action film role since Veronika Decides to Die. She has also returned to television in Wolf Pack.

Perhaps most exciting for longtime fans, Gellar is preparing to revisit her most iconic role in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival, with a new generation of slayers joining the story.

Looking back, Gellar believes she finally found the balance she was searching for—between family, fulfillment, and the career she still loves. And for her, that balance made all the difference.