It’s possible to conquer it all! Sarah Michelle Gellar‘s return to acting has been an interesting transition — and the actress candidly discussed being ready for the challenge.
“I think a break in anything changes everything because you look at things differently and you come back with a different attitude,” Gellar, 45, exclusively told Us WeeklyFriday, September 23, 2009, while promoting her Freshpet partnership.
The Cruel IntentionsStar recalled reaching a point in life where she knew it was time that she had to stop. “I’d hit a wall. Robin [Williams]Had passed away. I had two young children at home and I just sort of needed to refocus for a little bit,” she explained. “What’s [been] amazing is the realization comes back that, ‘Oh my gosh, I love what I do and I’m very lucky to get to do what I do.’”
Gellar has faced many challenges since her return when it comes time to choose projects. “The landscape has changed and streaming came about and you get to do all these different things in movies and television that you couldn’t do before,” she added. “So I feel like it’s a really exciting time to be part of it. I definitely think that I’ve earned the right to have a say in what I’m doing.”
For the Scooby-DooStar, one of the drawbacks to star was the fact that you spent less time at home.
“It’s really hard, I’m not gonna lie. I’m working in Atlanta [for Wolf Pack] so there’s something about physically not being there that is very hard for me,” Gellar, who shares daughter Charlotte, 13, and son Rocky, 10, with Freddie Prinze Jr., admitted. “My husband is completely fine running the household almost to the point where then I get back and I am like, ‘They don’t need me,’” she joked.
Gellar continued: “The one thing about being in Atlanta is that at least when I’m home, I focus fully on what I need to be there. Then when I come to Atlanta, I can actually focus on work and know that everything’s taken care of at home. But it’s definitely very difficult.”
The Ringer alum revealed she still deals with “mom guilt” from time to time, saying, “I think in any profession people can relate to [that]. But at the same time, I’m also showing my children that you can be a good parent and also chase your dreams and that they should do the same.”
After finishing up a project, Gellar gets to return home to a packed household — which includes her three dogs. Freshpet was Gellar’s partner, and she spoke about it. Swans CrossingAlum reflected on the influence her animals have had in her life.
“We didn’t even expect to have more than two [dogs]Right now. Our third dog was adopted because it needed a loving home. It fit right in with our lifestyle. My kids joke that we have four people in our household and three dogs, so we really need a four so that everybody has a dog to walk,” she told Us. “I don’t see how we could have four, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.”
Gellar was thrilled to be a partner with Freshpet in recognizing no-kill shelters. “I’ve always loved what Freshpet does on two levels. I use their food, but it’s also nice for them to want to help these shelters. [has been amazing],” she added. “When you see the statistics of how overcrowded the shelters are right now because of all these people that got dogs in the pandemic then realized they couldn’t care for them. It’s a truly heartbreaking situation.”
The Fresh Start program is currently celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Fresh Start initiative. The program will accept submissions until Sunday September 25th. Anyone can apply to Gellar for funding and grants of over $150,000 to their shelters.
Scroll down to see everything Gellar has to say about her career, motherhood, and more.
