‘Buffy’ Stars Sarah Michelle Gellar & David Boreanaz Acknowledge Co-Stars’ Tragic Deaths
NBCUniversal
Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz paid tribute to their late “Buffy” co-stars during the 2026 Emmys.
Gellar and Boreanaz reunited to present Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
After some banter about their characters Buffy and Angel, Gellar took a serious turn, telling the audience, “David and I would like to acknowledge that it has been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew, and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people.”
The cast lost three stars: Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February 2025 at just 39; Nicholas Brendon, who died in March of this year at 54; and Anthony Head, who died in June at 72.
Ahead of the tribute, Sarah and David joked about their characters’ age difference.
Boreanaz said, “I mean, when you think about it, it is kind of crazy, right? A teenage girl chosen by fate to fight vampires, demons, forces of darkness and she falls in love with a vampire with a soul, carrying around a couple 100 years of regret.”
Gellar added, “A much, much older vampire with a soul and agonizing remorse about his past. For those of you who don’t know, his character was 241 years old.”
David quipped, “So, a May-December romance?”
Gellar added, “More like a May-December 1787 romance.”
Boreanaz went on, “I always thought that Buffy and Angel would end up together.”
Sarah replied, “Well, I guess we won’t find out,” seemingly referencing her canceled “Buffy” reboot.
