Sarah Michelle Gellar opened up about the impact Robin Williams’ death had on her career.

Before the August 27 gala, Gellar sat for an exclusive interview with PEOPLE and discussed her work in her charities, including This Is About Humanity, weeks after Williams’ death anniversary.

During the same conversation, she revealed that she took a break from her career to mourn Williams’ death.

She said:

“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,’.”

Gellar and Williams co-starred in “The Crazy Ones,” a CBS sitcom.

Despite having to deal with the tragic event, the actress reportedly had a special bond with Williams. In fact, the actor’s death made her realize she needed to take some time off to be with her children.

She was eventually tapped to star in the Paramount+ series “Wolf Pack” after taking a break. During her time off, Gellar clarified that she never wants to temporarily leave her philanthropic work.

Williams died at the age of 63 at his home in California, leaving the world in pain.

The Hollywood Reporter obtained documents revealing Robin Williams’ death cause, which stated that he died from asphyxia and hanging. Meanwhile, the toxicology report revealed that levodopa (a Parkinson’s disease medication), caffeine, and antidepressants were found in his system.

Susan, Williams’ wife, revealed that the actor had been suffering from severe depression, which had been exacerbated by his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.

Before his death, he put his wristwatches in a sock before dropping them off to “keep them safe,” according to the Marin County Sheriff’s office, which eventually received a 911 call about an unconscious man in his residence.

Mara Buxbaum, the actor’s publicist, told PEOPLE that the actor’s doctors were unable to determine what was wrong with him. They had to wait a few months before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

However, his death certificate revealed that he had diffuse Lewy body dementia, a disease with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s.

Williams’ health issue, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is progressive dementia, which affects a patient’s declining independent function and thinking. It also causes visual hallucinations and tremors in those who have it.