Sarah Michelle Gellar
The actress who brought Buffy Summers to life on the WB/UPN supernatural series from 1997 to 2003.
Sarah Michelle Gellar is an American actress known for portraying strong female characters in film and television, and is regarded as a scream queen for her work in the horror genre. She achieved international recognition for her portrayal of Buffy Summers on the WB/UPN supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), which earned her a Saturn Award and a nomination for a Golden Globe. Her Buffy, created to subvert the stereotypical female horror movie victim, was described by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 100 greatest female characters in American television.
- Character
- Buffy Summers
- Role
- Lead Actress
- Series
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Active Years
- 1997-2003
- Status
- Departed Series
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gellar's Buffy was created to subvert the stereotypical female horror movie victim. The show premiered in March 1997, to widespread critical and popular acclaim. During its broadcast, the role earned Gellar four Teen Choice Awards, the Saturn Award for Best Genre Television Actress, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She sang during the series' musical episode "Once More, with Feeling", which spawned an original cast album released in 2002. Buffy ran for seven seasons and 144 episodes.
In Their Own Story
After reading the script for Joss Whedon's television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which follows Buffy Summers, a teenager burdened with the responsibility of fighting occult foes and supernatural occurrences, Gellar screen tested for the role of Cordelia Chase. Whedon then asked her to come back in and audition for the title role. The show premiered in March 1997, to widespread critical and popular acclaim.
Reader's Guide
Gellar's Buffy ran for seven seasons and 144 episodes. During its broadcast, the role earned her four Teen Choice Awards, the Saturn Award for Best Genre Television Actress, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She sang during the series' musical episode "Once More, with Feeling", which spawned an original cast album released in 2002. During the early airing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gellar made her first major film appearances in two successful slasher films: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and Scream 2 (1997).
Did You Know?
- Gellar originally screen tested for the role of Cordelia Chase before Joss Whedon asked her to audition for the title role of Buffy Summers.
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons and 144 episodes.
- Gellar earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role as Buffy.
- She sang during the series' musical episode 'Once More, with Feeling', which spawned an original cast album released in 2002.
- During the early airing of Buffy, Gellar made her first major film appearances in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and Scream 2 (1997).
More in Mythology & Behind the Scenes
Elsewhere in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe
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