Michelle Trachtenberg, TV and Film Actress, Passes at 39

NEW YORK — Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her transition from a child star to an actress in popular millennial TV series such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has passed away at the age of 39. Officers were dispatched to a luxury apartment tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen following a 911 call around 8 a.m., where they discovered Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive.” Emergency responders declared her dead at the scene. The police reported no suspicious activity and the cause of death is being investigated by the New York Medical Examiner.

“Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time,” expressed Gary Mantoosh, Trachtenberg’s representative, in a statement released on Wednesday.

Trachtenberg’s acting journey began at the tender age of 8, when she portrayed Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1994 to 1996. Her career highlights included starring in film adaptations such as “Harriet the Spy” and “Inspector Gadget” alongside Matthew Broderick. “Michelle comes off as genuine because she really is a genuine kid. Everyone can identify with her,” remarked Debby Beece, then president of Nickelodeon Movies in 1996.

She became a household name in 2000 when she joined “Buffy” as Dawn Summers, playing the younger sister of the titular character portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a role she held until 2003. Trachtenberg expressed support for Gellar when she spoke against “Buffy” showrunner Joss Whedon in 2021 amid abuse allegations, revealing her own experiences of “his not appropriate behavior” during her teenage years in a heartfelt social media post.

Her talents were recognized with a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2001 for hosting Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.” Trachtenberg further showcased her versatility with recurring roles on acclaimed series such as “Six Feet Under,” “Weeds,” and as Georgina Sparks, a sly antagonist, on “Gossip Girl.” This fan-favorite role earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination in 2012 in the TV villain category. “It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” she shared with Seventeen magazine in 2009, adding, “I love the reaction you get.”

In 2021, Trachtenberg delighted fans by reprising her role for guest appearances in the “Gossip Girl” revival. Firmly cemented in millennial culture, she appeared in Fall Out Boy’s music video “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” alongside Seth Green.

The entertainment industry expressed their sorrow on social media, mourning the actress who gracefully transitioned from a child star to a beloved adult actress. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star David Boreanaz shared on Instagram, “so very sad… horrible news.” Melissa Gilbert, who worked with Trachtenberg in the 1996 “A Holiday for Love,” wrote, “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so.”

Trachtenberg’s filmography extended to other memorable roles, including playing the protagonist in 2005’s “Ice Princess,” where she portrayed a figure skater with a talent for math. Her role in the 2004 comedy “EuroTrip,” the co-starring part in 2009’s “17 Again” with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann, and a chilling portrayal in “Criminal Minds” were highlights of her diverse career.

She also appeared in the 2013 film “Killing Kennedy,” where she was cast as the spouse of Lee Harvey Oswald, showcasing her multilingual capabilities by delivering 80% of her lines in Russian, a language she learned from her mother. Other notable credits include roles in “Mysterious Skin” (2004), “Black Christmas” (2006), and leading in the NBC medical series “Mercy” (2009–2010) alongside Taylor Schilling. More recently, she ventured into hosting the true-crime docuseries “Meet, Marry, Murder” on Tubi.