> At a Glance
> – Sarah Michelle Gellar says she stepped away from Hollywood after Robin Williams died in 2014
> – The pair played father-daughter on CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones, Williams’ final TV role
> – Gellar used the pause to raise her two children and “never missed a moment”
> – Why it matters: Her story spotlights how personal loss and parenting can reshape even A-list career priorities
Losing her close colleague Robin Williams triggered a total career reset for Sarah Michelle Gellar, who now reveals she left acting to focus on motherhood.
The Moment Everything Changed
Gellar told the Shut Up Evan podcast (Jan. 7 ep.) that she was already stretched thin filming The Crazy Ones while nursing her infant son. Williams’ death in August 2014 pushed her over the edge.
> “Everything just sort of hit me. The postpartum hit me, and that loss was so huge … I felt a little directionless for the first time in my life.”
She read the tragedy as a signal to pause.
Trading Sets for School Runs
Gellar took a deliberate break from Hollywood and has zero regrets.
- She never missed a school show, performance, first step, or lost tooth
- Long on-set days and constant travel would have made that impossible
- The time away re-framed her identity: “Work is just a part of how I think of myself”
Back in the Spotlight-on Her Terms
The 48-year-old is easing back, choosing projects that fit her family life. Up next: judging Netflix’s live revival of Star Search alongside Jelly Roll and Chrissy Teigen, hosted by Anthony Anderson. Five-week live run starts Jan. 20, airing Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET with real-time viewer voting.
Quick Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2013 | The Crazy Ones debuts on CBS |
| 2014 | Williams dies at 63; Gellar steps back |
| 2025 | Returns as judge on Star Search revival |
Key Takeaways
- Gellar’s break was prompted by grief and new motherhood
- She calls the time off her “only chance” to witness every childhood milestone
- She now selects roles that allow space for family life
- Her return signals a balanced approach to fame
From Buffy to full-time mom and back again, Gellar proves even superheroes sometimes need a pause button.
