A popular American actress, Michelle Trachtenberg, widely recognized for her performances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has passed away at the age of 39.
According to police sources who spoke with ABC News, Trachtenberg’s mother discovered her unresponsive in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle on Wednesday morning, just after 8 a.m.
The actress had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have been dealing with complications, sources revealed. Authorities believe she died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected. The city’s medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
A New York City native, Trachtenberg began her acting career as a child star, appearing in Nickelodeon productions like The Adventures of Pete & Pete and Harriet the Spy.
Her breakthrough role came in 2000 when she joined the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character. She portrayed Dawn until 2003, earning a Teen Choice Award nomination for choice TV sidekick in 2001.
Last month, Trachtenberg reflected on her Buffy days by sharing a nostalgic photo with Gellar. She captioned the image: “Slay all day! Always loved this twinning photo of us! #buffy #dawn #sister #womancrushwednesday.”
In addition to her work on Buffy, Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012, a role that earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for choice TV villain.
“It’s kind of easy to be evil when you’re saying evil things,” she told Seventeen in 2009. “It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl. I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don’t want to play villains or evil characters.”
Trachtenberg’s career spanned a variety of television and film projects. She appeared in series such as Mercy, Weeds, and Truth or Scare, and even had a minor role in the 2022 Gossip Girl reboot. On the big screen, she starred in films like EuroTrip, 17 Again, and The Scribbler.
Fans and former co-stars have been sharing tributes online, remembering Trachtenberg’s talent, kindness, and lasting impact on television and film.
Credit: ABC News
