Robin Williams' Tragic Death Affected Sarah Michelle Gelar's Career — How?
Sarah Michelle Gellar spoke candidly about the effect of Robin Williams' death on her career.
Weeks after Williams' death anniversary, Gellar sat for an exclusive interview with PEOPLE and talked about her works in her charities, including This Is About Humanity, before the gala on August 27.
During the same discussion, she opened up about her break from her career while mourning the death of Williams.
"I've been working my entire life. When I had kids - and it was right after Robin passed away - there was just so much going on in my life and I just said, 'I need to take a break,'" she said.
Gellar and Williams worked together in "The Crazy Ones," a sitcom on CBS.
Although she had to deal with the heartbreaking event, the actress reportedly had a special bond with Williams. In fact, the actor's death made her realize that she should take some time off and be with her kids.
After having a break, she was eventually tapped to star in the Paramount+ series, "Wolf Pack." Amid her time off, Gellar clarified that she never wants to temporarily leave her philanthropy work.
How Did Robin Williams Die?
Williams left the world in pain when he passed away at the age of 63 at his home in California.
The Hollywood Reporter obtained the documents revealing Robin Williams' cause of death, saying that he died due to asphyxia and hanging. Meanwhile, the toxicology report also stated that levodopa (a drug used for Parkinson's disease), caffeine, and antidepressants were found in his system.
Williams' wife, Susan, revealed that the actor had been battling severe depression which was worsened by his Parkinson's diagnosis.
Before his death, he placed his wristwatches in a sock before dropping them off to "keep them safe." The Marin County Sheriff's office eventually received a 911 call about an unconscious man in his residence.
The actor's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, told PEOPLE that the actor's doctors could not determine what was wrong with him. They waited for a few months before receiving the Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
However, his death report disclosed that he actually had a disease that had similar symptoms as Parkinson's - diffuse Lewy body dementia.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, Williams' health issue is progressive dementia that affects a patient's declining independent function and thinking. People diagnosed with it also suffer visual hallucinations and tremors.
