Jamie Lee Curtis can rest assured that Sarah Michelle Gellar won’t be taking over the title of Scream Queen any time soon, but that doesn’t mean the young actress won’t embrace another moniker within the horror genre. She’s certainly worthy of one, thanks most in part to a steady supply of horror-related roles that began with her casting as the title character of Buffy in the popular WB drama. Born in New York City in 1977, Sarah was quick to jump into the spotlight at the ripe age of four when an agent discovered her eating at a local restaurant. She was quickly thrust in front of the camera in several made-for-TV movies and commercials before finally gaining recognition on the daytime soap opera “All My Children.” The role eventually earned Gellar an Emmy in 1995, though it came at the cost of having to refuse a major part in Baz Luhrman’s “Romeo + Juliet.” Can you guess which role she lost out on?
Perhaps the most important breakthrough for the actress, however, was winning the title role in Joss Whedon’s TV adaptation of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” The show survived seven seasons (1997-2003), earned a large enough cult following to warrant a spin-off, and was even popular with the critics. The show’s success led to a serious career boost for Gellar, including roles in several teen flicks like “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Cruel Intentions” alongside some of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood. This is also where Gellar met future husband Freddie Prinze Jr., who despite being unable to act, managed to convince her to marry him.
In 2004, Gellar returned to the genre that made her with a remake of the Japanese thriller, “The Grudge,” and will appear in two more horror flicks by the end of 2006 (including a sequel to the aforementioned). She doesn’t look to stop there either, and while “Buffy” fans continue to hope for the return of their favorite butt-kicking beauty, they may have to find salvage in some of the actress’ similar work.
Iconic Character – Buffy Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Sarah is having a fantastic career as she shows off her many talents and continues to look beautiful. But for many fans, her role as Buffy on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will always be a favorite. We highlihgted this character in our “TV Girlfriends” feature in the “Fox Force Five” catagory. Here’s what we said about the character:
“Ever had a girlfriend who was as sweet, smart, devoted, and pretty as any man could want, but who had a really tough job that tended to stress her out and make her impossible to be around? Well, that’s what you’re in for, plus an annual near-apocalypse, should you be deemed worthy by Sunnydale’s stake-wielding superheroine and world saving champion. Devoted to her friends and family but also seriously desiring of a little “me-time,” sometimes she’s just a girl who has to put up a with a slightly bratty younger sister and who misses watching the Ice Capades with her deadbeat dad. At other times, she’s fighting demon hordes or throwing herself into a hell dimension to save the universe. And then there’s the issue of trying to keep her identity secret – but, if you’re dating her, you’ll find out soon enough. Two-to one, that’s because most likely you’re a vampire yourself, which always leads to some extra-interesting relationship issues. Still, it’s cool if you can get past the whole vamps-are-inherently-evil thing somehow (it’s been done before) and thereby avoid the seemingly inevitable conflict of interest. Buffy can be cold or hot, but her heart is nearly always in the right place. Just make sure you stay on the straight and narrow or your next heartbreak could be delivered via Mr. Pointy.”
Sexy Buffy Clips
Excellent compilation!
Sarah Michelle Gellar on the Web
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair
Classic scene of two girls kissing.
Sarah Michelle Gellar on the Screen
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s acting career hasn’t been very impressive, but it’s been more than enough to get her where she is today. Her biggest role to date, of course, is that of the vampire-slaying teenager, Buffy, and while she also made guest appearances on the spin-off series, “Angel,” Gellar looks to be done with the character for good. Her film resume is still trying to take off, but she’s going to need to do a lot more than be chased around by creepy villains (“I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “The Grudge”) before anyone takes her seriously in this town. And no, “Scooby-Doo” doesn’t count.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Says
On kissing Selma Blair:
“It was a great kiss. It even had a saliva trail.”
On her father:
“Just because you donate sperm does not make you a father. I don’t have a father. I would never give him the credit or acknowledge him as my father.”