'Buffy', 'Gossip Girl', And Renowned Child Actor Michelle Trachtenberg Has Passed Away At 39

TV & Film

Mar 1

Michelle Trachtenberg, renowned TV and film actor, has unfortunately passed away at just thirty-nine years old. Police were called to her Manhattan home on 26th February and found her unresponsive. No statement has been made regarding her cause of death, but it is thought to be connected to her recent liver transplant.

Born in 1985 in New York City, Michelle Trachtenberg got into show business at the tender age of three, working in commercials before making her first TV appearance in Law and Order at just six years old. Her first movie lead came five years later when she was cast in Nickelodeon’s Harriet the Spy, for which she won a Young Artist Award.

Dawn, Buffy’s sister, was the surprise of season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it went on to become one of the most well-known roles of her career. She shone in the musical episode, where she showed off her extensive ballet training. Trachtenberg did not have the best time on set. In 2021, she came forward, along with Charisma Carpenter, to highlight the toxic behaviour of Joss Whedon. However, she remained close with many of the cast, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, stating in an interview:

“I've known Sarah for, oh my god, 30 years. Something to that effect, just shy. And I rubbed her belly at her baby shower when Miss Charlotte was in there”.

RELATED:

Featured

Why Remake 'Harry Potter'? The Pros And Cons Of This Decision

But Trachtenberg refused to be defined by one character and continued to land movie roles, including the comedy hit Eurotrip, Disney ice skating film Ice Princess, as well as Zac Efron’s 17 Again.

Then, in 2008, she was cast as what she said was the most fun character of her career. The snarky Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. Michelle Trachtenberg felt she had thrown off the sweet and innocent typecast and finally had a chance to show her versatility.

Co-star Blake Lively posted a tribute on social media, "She laughed the fullest at someone's joke... she cared deeply about her work, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself."

Michelle Trachtenberg also made an appearance in the video for Fall Out Boy’s This Aint A Scene, It’s An Arms Race along with Seth Green. She had writing aspirations for the next stage of her career and had joined the Writer’s Guild of America before she had unfortunately fallen ill and required major surgery.

Michelle Trachtenberg was well-liked among her peers and had talent that would have only thrived if it had not been cut short. She will be sorely missed.