On the Set: Mini Buffy Speaks Out

From YM - March 2001

She insists she’s not a neat freak. So what’s with Michelle’s deceptively spotless trailer on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer set? There are no posters on the walls or clothes strewn about. “Too bad you weren’t here when the cast and crew threw me a birthday party. There were balloons, flowers, and cake everywhere."

Usually, instead of partying, this Brooklyn, NY, native is more content reading Jane Eyre and The Odyssey, writing ideas for screenplays, and bettering her bowling score. Downtime, however, is pretty rare for Michelle, who has to squeeze four hours of schooling in between her work on the show.

So while the rest of the Scooby gang takes a break - Alyson Hannigan and Emma Caulfield grab grub from the craft services buffet, Marc Blucas messes around with the camera grips, and Sarah Michelle Gellar chats on her cell phone - this 15-year-old’s suffering through her least favorite subjects, Spanish and geometry. Hardly the glamorous life.

Michelle's used to it, though, because she’s been acting since she was 3 years old. Her mom (and manager), Lana, and her engineer dad, Michael, have supported her from commercials in the ‘80s and movies Harriet the Spy and Inspector Gadget in the ‘90s, to her biggest hit to date – Buffy.

All the craziness has been worth it, since she’s gone from watching her favorite TV series to starring in it. Michelle even considered taking a non-speaking role just to be a part of it. Luckily, she made a great first impression on the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, during a visit with former All My Children star Sarah. That brief encounter helped her land the part of Buffy’s lil sis Dawn.

"There’s no one on the set who’s my age, but everyone acts like they’re my age," says Michelle. Having older friends does have its perks: Sarah’s boyfriend, Freddie Prinze, Jr., has promised to teach Michelle to drive and he and Sarah have taken her bowling, while Joss invites her to the cast’s Shakespeare readings. This week’s pick was Twelfth Night.

Though she kept quiet about this season’s plot secrets, Michelle did reveal that she’ll costar on Buffy as long as she can. “I’m lucky to have found my passion so early in life," she admits. “Acting is something I want to do forever." And in Buffy’s world of the undead, she just might be able to.

SLAYER SECRETS

Michelle spills which cast member she'd most likely...

...use as a lifeline on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

"Sarah, definitely. She's just so smart. She may not know everything about every subject, but she knows a fair amount about all of them."

...go to for cheering up?

"That's a hard one because everyone on the set is so happy. Probably Marc. He's so funny he could cheer anybody up."

...take on a road trip?

"I'd take the whole bunch. That would be an exciting ride!"

...hear telling a dirty joke?

(Laughs) "Alyson!"

...want to trade wardrobes with?

"Definitely Sarah. I'd be like 'I'll take this and this...' Plus, we wear the same size."

...trust with a secret?

"Not Nick. He would accidentally blurt it out. I'd have to say Sarah again."

...go to for advice?

"Either Joss or Sarah because they're both so intellectual. Sarah isn't much older than I am (she's 23), but she has experienced more. But, if I had my choice, I'd go to my mom."

...have to tell to stop teasing her so much?

"A combo of Nick and Marc."