From a horror flick meet-cute to a married couple with two children — Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar have come a long way since their onscreen introduction.
The She’s All That actor and Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum met on the set of 1997’s I Know What You Did Last Summer and instantly connected.
“We just would talk about life and stuff like that, and we had completely different philosophies on just about everything,” Prinze told Us Weekly exclusively in February 2020.
The friendship also began over the Los Angeles native’s desire to cook for Gellar, who he thought “was too skinny” at the time.
“So, we started this weekly barbecue thing at her house, and me and my cousins would come over and cook food for her and her friends,” he recalled. “And then we’d make sure everybody ate, and that was kind of how our friendship began.”
The costars friendship became romantic after a fumbled dinner date in January 2000.
“We were supposed to have dinner with a friend of ours, and she didn’t make her plane, so we went anyway,” the Long Island, New York, native told Us in February 2020. “We’d had tons of dinners before and for some reason, it felt different that night. Organically, it just transitioned into something else.”
Two years later, the pair tied the knot in September 2002 in an intimate ceremony in Mexico. The same year, the lovebirds reunited onscreen to play Fred and Daphne in Scooby-Doo, roles they later reprised for the 2004 sequel.
The ‘90s sweethearts welcomed two children, daughter Charlotte and son Rocky, in 2009 and 2012, respectively.
Throughout their relationship, the pair has grown closer and although they keep their family life private, the actors have occasionally given fans a peek at their home life and shared how they’ve managed to stay together for so long.
“Communicate. That’s the key. It’s about being present,” the Crazy Ones alum told Us in January 2019. “Listening is the most important thing.”
The Summer Catch actor told Us that being light with one another is also important. “We still make each other laugh. And we treat each other with respect,” he said.
Scroll down to see how Prinze and Gellar went from costars to friends to lovers and then a family of four.
“Today is @realfreddieprinze birthday. Normally this is where I would make a joke,” Gellar wrote via Instagram in March 2022. “But it’s also #internationalwomensday and it completely makes sense that you share that day, as there is no man that is a bigger champion and friend to women than you.” She added: “I couldn’t think of someone better to raise a daughter with or to teach a son, what it truly means to be a good man. Happy birthday Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar shared a photo of her and Prinze wearing elaborate festive glasses for the holiday in December 2021. "Merry Xmas from mom and dad," the actress captioned the Christmas Day snap via Instagram. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle/Instagram
The couple channeled their inner Dirty Dancing for Halloween in 2021. “Nobody puts baby in the corner #happyhalloween from Baby Houseman and Johnny Castle #dirtydancing #loverboy,” Gellar wrote via Instagram. Courtesy Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar shared a sweet snap from the couple’s Hawaii vacation in July 2021. “Ok seriously ….. this is the peaceful look of two parents getting an actual vacation,” she wrote via Instagram. “We have officially found paradise. @maunalaniauberge you are perfect.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
“I was looking for the perfect present for your bday @realfreddieprinze, but then I realized ... I am present enough 😂 😂 😂,” Gellar jokingly wrote via Instagram in March 2021 on her husband’s 45th birthday. “But I do make you this promise, I will NEVER feed you to the tigers. Happy Birthday FP!!” Daniel Deme/EPA/Shutterstock
The couple added two puppies to their family in November 2020 as an early Christmas present for their daughter and son. “Puppies, puppies are harder,” Prinze Jr. exclusively told Us, comparing dogs Kumi and Sato to his children. “Like, [with] the kids you go, ‘OK, when they’re older, if I’m nice to them, they’re going to take care of me.’ Dogs, you’re like, ‘Man, when they’re older, then I will take care of them more.’ So, puppies are harder.” Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
“It’s definitely a different #thanksgiving, but the gratitude is the same,” the Ringer alum wrote via Instagram in November 2020 alongside a sunny photo with her man, noting how the COVID-19 crisis altered the family’s holiday plans. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
“You... are my favorite husband #happyanniversary,” the Cruel Intentions actress wrote via Instagram on the couple’s 18th wedding anniversary in September 2020. Courtesy Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
“My kids won the lottery, they not only get the best father @realfreddieprinze ... they get the original #Manny #friends #happyfathersday,” Gellar wrote via Instagram in June 2020, referencing Prinze’s role as the manny to Ross and Rachel’s baby on Friends. “I’ll be there for you!!!” GIPHY
“A very long time ago, on this very day, this handsome man was born,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum wrote via Instagram in March 2020, in honor her love’s birthday. “I am extremely happy about that (although I doubt he’s happy that I still have this high school picture) happy birthday @realfreddieprinze #happybirthday.” Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock
The couple reunited onscreen in February 2020 in a Cascade commercial. The pair joked about “doing it every night” when talking about washing the dishes together. “We do it after enchiladas,” Prinze said in the ad, to which Gellar added, “We do it after takeout.” YouTube
The Los Angeles native told Us exclusively in February 2020 that his romance with his future wife all began on the set of 1997’s I Know What You Did Last Summer. Prinze Jr. recalled that Gellar didn’t have her driver’s license when they were filming the horror film in North Carolina, so he started to drive her “and that’s when we became friends.” “We just would talk about life and stuff like that, and we had completely different philosophies on just about everything,” he told Us about the couple’s initial friendship. “‘Cause she was a born and raised New Yorker and I was a born and raised L.A. kid, and we just looked at everything like night and day.” The duo also bonded over food. Prinze Jr. “thought she was too skinny” and “wanted to cook for her, because that’s what my family does,” the actor added. “So, we started this weekly barbecue thing at her house, and me and my cousins would come over and cook food for her and her friends. And then we’d make sure everybody ate, and that was kind of how our friendship began.” Mandalay Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock(2)
Prinze Jr. revealed the secret to his healthy marriage with Gellar in an interview with Us in February 2020. “There’s no keys. There’s no rules. There’s nothing like that. I don’t believe in false expectations,” the GEGG WARS: Galaxy of Crime actor said. “I just believe in knowing who you are when you start a relationship. And if you don’t, then that relationship probably isn’t going to work.” Shutterstock
Gellar recalled her accidental first date with Prinze Jr. via Instagram in January 2020. "20 years ago this week, my friend @realfreddieprinze and I were supposed to have dinner with a mutual friend from out of town," she penned. "That friend missed her flight, but we decided to still meet and catch up. Now 20 years together, 17 plus married and two kids, we still go to that restaurant for dinner. So thank you @sloaney77 for not showing up for dinner." Shutterstock
“#mcm (and yes this is how I watched the Globes, while recovering from the stomach flu),” the Crazy Ones alum wrote via Instagram in January 2020, alongside a photo of herself donning pajamas with her husband’s face on them. Courtesy Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar told Us on September 24, 2019, that her relationship with Prinze. Jr. isn't always easy. “It takes work to have a good friendship," she said at the time. "You have to call and check in and dedicate that time, and most people aren’t willing to put that work in. So to have a successful relationship, whether it’s marriage, whether it’s friendship, whether it’s business, you have to put the time, if you want to see the results.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
The actress celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary with a silly tribute to her husband posted via Instagram on September 4, 2018. “Marriage is like a deck of cards. In the beginning all you need is two hearts and a diamond. But years later, you wish you had a club and a spade,” she captioned a selfie of the twosome. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar and Prinze, Jr. celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on Sept. 1, 2015. "13 years #happyanniversary," the actress captioned an Instagram pic from their wedding day. "'I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.'" Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Parenthood sure is tiring! “This is how #datenight begins and ends when you have two young kids,” Gellar captioned an Instagram pic on Aug. 25, 2015. “Luckily we made it till the end #movienight.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
They grow up so fast! “Thank you @thebillhorn @scoutmasterson. The Prinze children,” Gellar captioned an Instagram photo of Charlotte and Rocky on Aug. 6, 2015. “The backpacks #hellokitty #campvibes.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar fondly looked back at the good ole days on July 2, 2015. “My #TBT is going way back #BodyBeforeBaby I wouldn't trade my kids for anything, but once in a while it's ok to be envious of what you used to look like,” the actress mused via Instagram. “#Goals #Dreaming This also reminds me...I need a vacation.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar captured an adorable moment between her longtime husband and daughter Charlotte on June 28, 2015. “The perfect end to a good hike,” she gushed via Instagram. “#Beach #waves #family.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Prinze Jr. shared a sweet moment with Charlotte and Rocky on June 21, 2015. “And the sun is setting on a very successful #FathersDay. Thank you #FreddiePrinzeJr for showing me what #TrueLove looks like,” Gellar captioned the Instagram snapshot. “I loved you before children, but that love has intensified. Thank you for making my children the #luckiest.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar has stayed close to Blair since playing Kathryn and Cecile, respectively, in the 1999 fan favorite movie Cruel Intentions. “Freddie James and Selma James @therealselmablair,” the Crazy Ones actress captioned via Instagram on June 2, 2015. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Why so serious, Freddie!? The couple celebrated Memorial Day weekend with family and friends on May 25, 2015. “This is what happens when you tell your husband to #smile (insert silly face),” Gellar joked via Instagram. “And we are off to #BBQ #HappyMemorialDay.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Morning playtime! Charlotte shared with Rocky like a good big sister on May 15, 2015. “#FridayFunDay So this is how I found my kids this morning,” Gellar captioned the Instagram pic. “Charlotte decided to ‘help’ me by getting Rocky up and apparently taking him on #Safari #WildAnimals #Giraffe.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Simply irresistible - in the kitchen! Gellar shared a rare kissing photo of the couple from their home in L.A.’s Mandeville Canyon neighborhood on April 8, 2015. “Please help me in congratulating my husband #freddieprinzejr on the announcement of his first cookbook #BackToTheKitchen coming in 2016 from #rodalebooks,” she captioned via Instagram. “I am very proud to say that I have personally tasted everyone of these amazing #recipes and will continue to. But now all of you will get to share in the amazing food from my absolute favorite chef.” Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar’s baby boy Rocky helped her pick out medicine for the family on Feb. 24, 2015. “This is what happens when everyone in your house is sick,” the actress captioned a sweet Instagram pic. “You have to send your 2 year old to the drugstore #MakeItWork.” The following month, Gellar joined Season 2 of her husband’s animated series, Star Wars Rebels. Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
Gellar joined Instagram on Feb. 12, 2015, which turned out to be the perfect excuse to share some of her cutest family moments! “I mean, it's work. You have to work at anything,” she said of her marriage to MSN’s Wonderwall in 2013. “It's any relationship in your life. You have to nurture it and take time with it." Courtesy of Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram
The Ringer actress and Prinze Jr. welcomed daughter Charlotte Grace in September 2009 and son Rocky James in September 2012. The following year, the proud parents and Charlotte met Rapunzel while visiting Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in March 2013. Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Enterprises, Inc. via Getty Images
The twosome kept close as they walked the red carpet during London’s Hairspray premiere in July 2007. In honor of their fifth wedding anniversary, Gellar legally changed her name to Sarah Michelle Prinze. “Freddie and I experience everything together and grow together,” Gellar told Cosmopolitan magazine in 2004. “We learn new things about each other and about ourselves every day.” Claire Greenway/Getty Images
Prinze Jr. cheered on his wife at her Grudge 2 premiere in L.A. in October 2006. Gellar opened up about her marriage to the hunky star while promoting the franchise’s first film. “It was the choice that was definitely right for me, and we're incredibly happy,” she told Cosmopolitan magazine in 2004. “Freddie and I have always felt like we were totally committed to each other whether we were married or not.” Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Gellar and the She’s All That actor attended Tommy Hilfiger’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show in September 2003. Two years prior, Prinze Jr. made a bet with Howard Stern that he and Gellar would never get a divorce. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm all good I swear. I know myself,” he said at the time. “She's the best. Sarah's the best." KMazur/WireImage.com
The couple worked once more as love interests Fred and Daphne, respectively, in the 2002 comedy Scooby-Doo. They reprised their roles in 2004’s Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
The pair attended the 15th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards in April 2002. Five months later, they tied the knot in Mexico. The ceremony was officiated by Adam Shankman, a director and choreographer Gellar worked with on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. KMazur/WireImage.com
He popped the question! The Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress and Prinze Jr. got engaged in April 2001. That August, the future spouses attended his Summer Catch premiere in L.A. SGranitz/WireImage.com
The couple walked the red carpet with Gellar’s Cruel Intentions costar Selma Blair at the MTV Movie Awards in 2000. The racy drama earned the ladies an award in the Favorite On-Screen Kiss category. Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage.com
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. met on set of 1997’s I Know What You Did Last Summer. The pair were close for years before their friendship blossomed into romance. Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
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