Sarah Michelle Gellarhas been widely criticised online for her birthday gift to her 16-year-old daughter, as fans label her efforts ‘tone deaf’.
The actress, 48, who famously played Daphne in the Scooby-Doo live-action films, came under fire after sharing a snap of the gift on Instagram.
To mark her daughter's milestone birthday, Sarah dedicated a sweet Instagram post to her, which included pictures of her as a tiny baby.
She wrote alongside the photos: “16 years ago today, you made me a mom. I believe the quote is, “A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend”. Charlotte, you are that and so much more. You are strong, you are inspiring, you are kind, you are funny…”
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Adding: “Most importantly, you are one of a kind, the best kind. I’m so lucky to call you my best friend. And I’m equally excited to finally be your passenger Prinzess”.
Sarah also shared photos of the birthday gift, which was a brand new black Jeep, complete with a giant red bow planted on the front of it. According to reports, the Wrangler Rubicon models currently cost upwards of £63,000, leading to criticism from fans.
Sharing their opinions on the gift, one person commented: “Sarah, you are beautiful and kind and you haven’t aged a day, but I agree this is a totally tone deaf post. Some things should be kept private. 16-year-olds should not be gifted new cars – they need to learn the value of hard work and making their own money regardless of their upbringing”.

Another added: “Who the Hell buys a car for a 16 year old? I got a cake. That’s all you need”, while a third said: “What a disgrace. We all like to spoil our kids but really what are you teaching you child. I was already told hard work pays off.
"Wish a month like you why would she ever need to work. I paid $4,000 for a 2nd hand Chevy for my daughter when she started college and to this day she says that she learned a lot from that. And emissions, didn't even get me started”.
Another followers jumped to Sarah’s defense as they wrote: “OMG! why are so many people in their feels about parents buying their child a car? I turned 16 and got a brand new car but also had to work and have my own gas money even tho I didn’t really have to. We don’t know what the conditions of her getting that jeep are.
"Honestly it’s none of our business. Wish the child a Happy Birthday and move on with your day. It really isn’t that serious.”
Sarah, who shot to fame in the fantasy series Buffy the Vampire Slayer between 1997 and 2003, has been married to fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002.
The couple, who starred opposite each other as Scooby-Doo’s iconic couple Daphne and Fred, welcomed daughter Charlotte in 2009.
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Perishers - 22nd September 2025