Pedro Pascal's Remarkable Journey: How 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Role Changed His Life

Pedro Pascal Says Buffy the Vampire Slayer Role Kept Him From Being Homeless 134

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Pedro Pascal recently shared how his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer helped him out financially. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 48-year-old actor revealed that for about 15 years, his income was barely enough to cover basic needs like medical expenses, rent, and emergencies. At one point, he had less than $7 in his bank account. However, a residual check from his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer came just in time, allowing him to continue pursuing his Hollywood dreams without giving up.

Pascal made an appearance on the season 4 premiere of the WB series as Eddie, a freshman at UC Sunnydale who connects with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as they both struggle to adapt to college life. Their friendship takes a dark turn when Eddie is transformed into a vampire by a group of undead goths who are stealing from students. Unfortunately, Buffy is forced to stake him when they cross paths again. And just like that, their friendship is no more.

Even though Pascal's time on the show was short-lived, both he and Gellar, who is now 46 years old, look back on the cameo with fond memories. In February 2023, Gellar shared a throwback photo of the pair from the 1999 episode on Instagram, with the caption "When #Mother met #Father."

Pascal was alerted to the sweet shout-out the following week and recalled his fond memories of working with Gellar on set.

Pedro Pascal Says Buffy the Vampire Slayer Role Kept Him From Being Homeless 136

YouTube

He was surprised to hear that Sarah Michelle Gellar mentioned him. He joked that he needed to go online to see for himself. He then remembered the time when she shared some ice cream with him while they were filming. Despite having to eat lunch in his vampire mask, he fondly recalled every detail of the experience.

It took Pascal almost twenty years to finally get his big break, but in recent years, he has become a sensation worldwide. Just last month, he won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us. He was up against tough competition including Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and Matthew Macfadyen from Succession, as well as Billy Crudup from The Morning Show.

During his acceptance speech, Pascal humorously remarked, “This is wrong for a number of reasons. I’m a little drunk. I thought I could get drunk. Thank you, HBO. Geez Louise, I’m making a fool of myself but thank you so much for this.”

He expressed his gratitude, saying, "I've been a member of the union since 1999, so receiving this honor is truly amazing. I don't have any other skills or interests, so I would appreciate it if you could offer me a job. I might have a panic attack and leave."

While winning the SAG award was his only victory this awards season, Pascal was also nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his role on the HBO series. In the show, he plays Joel, a tough survivor in a post-apocalyptic America who unexpectedly becomes a father figure to a teenage girl named Bella Ramsey. Based on the 2013 video game of the same name, the series was renewed for a second season in January 2023.

Pascal has been playing the role of Din Djarin in the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian since it first aired in 2019. Recently, it was revealed that he will be taking on the character of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie. He will be starring alongside Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The movie is scheduled for release in 2025 and will be the third adaptation of the comic book series on the big screen.

In a recent interview with Access Hollywood in February, Pascal expressed his immense excitement about the new role. He mentioned how thrilled he is to work with the talented cast and director Matt Shakman. Pascal described the opportunity to join this project as a dream come true and he is looking forward to spending all his time with the new team.

Editor's P/S:

Pedro Pascal's journey to Hollywood stardom is a testament to the power of perseverance and the unexpected ways in which opportunities can arise. His role in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," albeit brief, provided a lifeline during a financially challenging period, allowing him to continue pursuing his passion for acting. It is a reminder that even the smallest of roles can have a significant impact on one's career trajectory.

Pascal's success in recent years, including his award-winning performance in "The Last of Us," underscores the importance of embracing new challenges and not giving up on your dreams. His upcoming role as Mr. Fantastic in "Fantastic Four" is a testament to his versatility and talent. It is exciting to see how he will bring his own interpretation to this iconic Marvel character, and it is clear that his journey is far from over.