Career Timeline of Sarah Michelle Gellar: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Sarah Michelle Gellar built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, now Sarah Michelle Prinze, is an American actress whose career began early. After being discovered by a talent agent as a child, she debuted in the TV film *An Invasion of Privacy* (1983) at age six. Her first leading role was in the teen drama *Swans Crossing* (1992), followed by her breakthrough role as Kendall Hart in the soap opera *All My Children* (1993–1995), for which she received a Daytime Emmy Award.
September 28, 1982: Safety Skit on Late Night with David Letterman
On September 28, 1982, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in a safety skit on "Late Night with David Letterman".
1982: Burger King Commercial
In 1982, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in a Burger King commercial that sparked a lawsuit from McDonald's.
January 1983: An Invasion of Privacy Aired on CBS
In January 1983, "An Invasion of Privacy", featuring a young Sarah Michelle Gellar, aired on CBS.
1983: Film Debut in "An Invasion of Privacy"
In 1983, at the age of six, Sarah Michelle Gellar made her film debut in the television film "An Invasion of Privacy".
1984: Minor Role in Over the Brooklyn Bridge
In 1984, Sarah Michelle Gellar played a minor role in the film "Over the Brooklyn Bridge".
1986: Minor Role in Crossroads
In 1986, Sarah Michelle Gellar played a minor role in the film "Crossroads", although her scenes were cut.
1988: Minor Role in Funny Farm
In 1988, Sarah Michelle Gellar played a minor role in the film "Funny Farm", although her scenes were cut.
1989: Role in High Stakes and Hosting Girl Talk
In 1989, Sarah Michelle Gellar obtained a larger role in "High Stakes" and co-hosted the show "Girl Talk".
April 1990: Role in Neil Simon's Jake's Women
In April 1990, Sarah Michelle Gellar portrayed Mollie in the initial production of Neil Simon's play "Jake's Women" at the Old Globe Theatre.
1991: Cast in A Woman Named Jackie
In 1991, Sarah Michelle Gellar was cast as a young Jacqueline Bouvier in "A Woman Named Jackie", which won an Emmy.
1992: Leading Role in "Swans Crossing"
In 1992, Sarah Michelle Gellar landed her first leading role in the syndicated teen drama series "Swans Crossing".
1993: Role in "All My Children"
In 1993, Sarah Michelle Gellar began her role as Kendall Hart on the ABC soap opera "All My Children".
1995: Daytime Emmy Award and Departure from All My Children
In 1995, Sarah Michelle Gellar won a Daytime Emmy Award for "All My Children" and then left the show.
1996: Filming Beverly Hills Family Robinson
In 1996, Sarah Michelle Gellar filmed the ABC television film "Beverly Hills Family Robinson".
March 1997: Premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In March 1997, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premiered and received widespread acclaim.
1997: International Recognition with Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In 1997, Sarah Michelle Gellar achieved international recognition for her role as Buffy Summers in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
1997: Meeting Freddie Prinze Jr.
In 1997, Sarah Michelle Gellar met her future husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., while filming the teen horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
1997: Film Appearances in Slasher Films
In 1997, during the early airing of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Scream 2".
1997: TV Guide Cover Appearance
Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared on the cover of TV Guide in 1997, specifically the August 2-8 issue.
January 1998: First Time Hosting Saturday Night Live
In January 1998, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted "Saturday Night Live" for the first time.
February 1998: Seventeen Magazine Cover
In February 1998, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine.
May 1999: Second Time Hosting Saturday Night Live
In May 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted "Saturday Night Live" for the second time.
1999: Face of Maybelline and music video appearances
In 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar became the face of Maybelline and appeared in the music videos for Bree Sharp's "David Duchovny" and Marcy Playground's "Comin' Up From Behind".
1999: Charity Work with Habitat for Humanity and Project Angel Food
In 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar helped Habitat for Humanity build homes in the Dominican Republic and delivered meals to people with AIDS through Project Angel Food.
1999: Role in Cruel Intentions and Angel
In 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar portrayed Kathryn Merteuil in "Cruel Intentions" and reprised her role in "Angel".
1999: Film Role in "Cruel Intentions"
In 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the film "Cruel Intentions".
May 2000: Cameo Appearances on Saturday Night Live
In May 2000, Sarah Michelle Gellar made two cameo appearances on "Saturday Night Live", including introducing Britney Spears.
2000: Appearance in Stone Temple Pilots' Music Video
In 2000, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in Stone Temple Pilots' "Sour Girl" music video.
2000: Appearance in Sex and the City
In 2000, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in an episode of "Sex and the City".
2001: Role in Harvard Man
In 2001, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the independent drama "Harvard Man".
October 2002: Third Time Hosting Saturday Night Live
In October 2002, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted "Saturday Night Live" for the third time.
2002: Appearance in Outkast's Music Video
In 2002, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in Outkast's "Land of a Million Drums" music video.
2002: Role in "Scooby-Doo"
In 2002, Sarah Michelle Gellar played Daphne Blake in the live-action film "Scooby-Doo".
2002: Role in Scooby-Doo and MTV Movie Awards Hosting
In 2002, Sarah Michelle Gellar portrayed Daphne Blake in "Scooby-Doo" and hosted the MTV Movie Awards with Jack Black.
2003: End of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In 2003, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, ended its run.
March 2004: Gina Vendetti in The Simpsons
In March 2004, Gellar voiced the character Gina Vendetti in The Simpsons episode "The Wandering Juvie".
2004: Role in "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and "The Grudge"
In 2004, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and "The Grudge".
2005: Voice Work for Robot Chicken
In 2005, Sarah Michelle Gellar began providing voice work for "Robot Chicken".
2006: Role in "Southland Tales"
In 2006, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in the film "Southland Tales".
2006: Roles in Southland Tales, The Grudge 2, and The Return
In 2006, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, reprised her role as Karen in The Grudge 2, and starred in Asif Kapadia's psychological thriller The Return.
December 2007: Maxim Cover Appearance
In December 2007, Sarah Michelle Gellar was featured on the cover of Maxim magazine.
2007: Voice Role in "TMNT"
In 2007, Sarah Michelle Gellar provided voice work for the film "TMNT".
2007: Voice acting roles and film appearances
In 2007, Sarah Michelle Gellar voiced Ella in Happily N'Ever After and April O'Neil in TMNT. She also starred in the films Suburban Girl and The Air I Breathe, both of which were screened at the Tribeca Film Festival.
2007: Vaseline Skin Is Amazing Campaign
In 2007, Sarah Michelle Gellar was featured in Vaseline's Skin Is Amazing campaign, auctioning nude-posed photos to raise money for the Coalition of Skin Diseases.
January 2008: Release of 'Suburban Girl' and 'The Air I Breathe'
In January 2008, the films 'Suburban Girl' and 'The Air I Breathe', which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar, were released after being screened at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.
March 2008: Gotham Magazine Cover
In March 2008, Sarah Michelle Gellar was featured on the cover of Gotham magazine.
2008: Delayed Release of Possession
In 2008, the psychological thriller Possession, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, had a range of release dates in the United States due to financial problems.
2009: Acting Hiatus After Daughter's Birth
In 2009, Sarah Michelle Gellar took a two-year hiatus from acting following the birth of her daughter.
2009: Release of 'Veronika Decides to Die' in some countries
In 2009, Veronika Decides to Die, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, was initially released in some countries.
March 2010: DVD release of Possession
In March 2010, the film Possession, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, was released on DVD in the United States.
September 2011: Guest appearance on All My Children
In September 2011, Sarah Michelle Gellar made a guest appearance on All My Children, playing a patient who references Erica Kane and vampires.
November 2011: Voice acting in American Dad! episode
In November 2011, Sarah Michelle Gellar voiced a character in the American Dad! episode "Virtual In-Stanity".
2011: The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program
In 2011, Sarah Michelle Gellar joined The Nestlé Share the Joy of Reading Program, promoting reading to young children.
2011: Gellar stars in Ringer
In 2011, Sarah Michelle Gellar signed on to star in and executive produce The CW's Ringer, playing twin sisters.
2011: Starring Role in "Ringer"
In 2011, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the television series "Ringer".
September 30, 2012: Reprising role in The Simpsons
On September 30, 2012, Sarah Michelle Gellar reprised her role as Gina Vendetti in the premiere episode of The Simpsons' season 24.
2013: Co-starring in The Crazy Ones
In 2013, Sarah Michelle Gellar co-starred in the CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones alongside Robin Williams, playing an advertising director.
2013: Hosting Kidstock Music and Art Festival
In 2013, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted the Kidstock Music and Art Festival, benefiting the One Voice Scholars Program.
2014: Fundraiser for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA
In 2014, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted a fundraiser for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.
2014: Starring in The Crazy Ones
In 2014, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in The Crazy Ones.
January 2015: Domestic distribution of Veronika Decides to Die
In January 2015, the film Veronika Decides to Die, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, was distributed domestically in the US.
March 2015: Appearance in Princess Rap Battle
In March 2015, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared as Cinderella in an episode of Whitney Avalon's Princess Rap Battle on YouTube.
October 2015: Co-founding Foodstirs
In October 2015, Sarah Michelle Gellar co-founded Foodstirs, a startup food crafting brand.
2015: Co-founded Foodstirs & Star Wars Rebels Voice Role
In 2015, Sarah Michelle Gellar co-founded Foodstirs, an e-commerce baking company, and provided voice work for "Star Wars Rebels".
2015: Fundraiser for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA
In 2015, Sarah Michelle Gellar hosted a fundraiser for Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.
2016: End of Star Wars Rebels Involvement
In 2016, Sarah Michelle Gellar ended her voice work for "Star Wars Rebels".
2016: Cruel Intentions Pilot
In 2016, Sarah Michelle Gellar was attached to a pilot for a series based on Cruel Intentions, reprising her role of Kathryn Merteuil, but the show was not picked up for production.
April 18, 2017: Release of cookbook 'Stirring up Fun with Food'
On April 18, 2017, Sarah Michelle Gellar released her cookbook titled Stirring up Fun with Food, co-authored by Gia Russo.
2017: Publication of Cookbook
In 2017, Sarah Michelle Gellar's cookbook, "Stirring Up Fun with Food", was published.
2018: Foodstirs Product Availability
By 2018, Foodstirs products were sold at 7,500 retailers nationwide.
2018: End of Robot Chicken Involvement
In 2018, Sarah Michelle Gellar concluded her voice work for "Robot Chicken".
May 16, 2019: Guest appearance in The Big Bang Theory finale
On May 16, 2019, Sarah Michelle Gellar guest starred as herself in the series finale of The Big Bang Theory.
February 10, 2021: Support for Charisma Carpenter
On February 10, 2021, Sarah Michelle Gellar voiced her support for Charisma Carpenter, her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star, following Carpenter's allegations of abuse against Joss Whedon. Gellar also stated her desire to not be forever linked with Joss Whedon's name.
2021: Promotion of Subaru's Donation to Feeding America
In 2021, Sarah Michelle Gellar promoted Subaru of America's donation of 100 million meals to Feeding America.
2021: Voice Work for Masters of the Universe: Revelation
In 2021, Sarah Michelle Gellar provided voice work for "Masters of the Universe: Revelation".
2022: Foodstirs Ceases Operations
By 2022, Foodstirs had ceased operations, and Sarah Michelle Gellar sold her stake in the company.
2022: Role in "Do Revenge"
In 2022, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared in the film "Do Revenge".
2022: Live-action film appearances in Clerks III and Do Revenge
In 2022, Sarah Michelle Gellar made her first live-action film appearances in 13 years with roles in Clerks III and Do Revenge.
January 18, 2023: Refusal to tell full story
In an interview published on January 18, 2023 with The Hollywood Reporter, Sarah Michelle Gellar stated, "I'll never tell my full story because I don't get anything out of it."
2023: Starring in Wolf Pack
In 2023, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred as an arson investigator in the Paramount+ supernatural drama series Wolf Pack, also serving as an executive producer.
2024: Starring Role in "Dexter: Original Sin"
In 2024, Sarah Michelle Gellar is set to star in "Dexter: Original Sin".
2024: Dexter: Original Sin
In 2024, Sarah Michelle Gellar played a forensics expert and Dexter's boss in the Paramount+ prequel series Dexter: Original Sin.
2024: Starring in Philosophy's Rated R commercial
In 2024, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in Philosophy's Rated R commercial.
2025: GSK's Ask2BSure Campaign Collaboration
In 2025, Sarah Michelle Gellar collaborated with Alyson Hannigan in GSK's Ask2BSure campaign to raise awareness about meningitis and encourage vaccination among teens.
2025: Cameo Appearance in I Know What You Did Last Summer
In 2025, Sarah Michelle Gellar made a cameo appearance as Helen Shivers in a dream sequence of I Know What You Did Last Summer.
2025: Starring in Uber One's I Know What You Could've Saved Last Summer
In 2025, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in Uber One's I Know What You Could've Saved Last Summer commercial.
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