NEW YORK — At the age of 39, Michelle Trachtenberg, a former child star celebrated for her role in the 1996 film “Harriet the Spy” and subsequent appearances in popular TV shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has passed away.
Authorities responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. at a high-end apartment building located in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. Upon arrival, they discovered Trachtenberg unconscious and unresponsive, as per the NYPD statement.
Emergency medical personnel declared her dead at the scene. The police indicated no foul play was suspected, and the New York Medical Examiner is currently investigating the cause of her death.
Gary Mantoosh, speaking on behalf of Trachtenberg’s family, expressed the family’s desire for privacy during their time of loss.
Trachtenberg began her journey in the entertainment industry at the tender age of 8 by portraying Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1994 to 1996 before moving on to major roles in “Harriet the Spy” and “Inspector Gadget” alongside Matthew Broderick.
“Michelle is relatable because she genuinely is,” commented Debby Beece, president of Nickelodeon Movies, back in 1996.
Her role in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 2000 as Dawn Summers showcased her versatility as she played the younger sister of the protagonist. She remained in this role until 2003.
In 2021, Trachtenberg supported Sarah Michelle Gellar in speaking out against “Buffy” creator Joss Whedon after allegations of misconduct surfaced. Trachtenberg mentioned experiencing inappropriate behavior during her time as a teen actor.
In addition to her celebrated roles, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2001 for her hosting role in Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.” Trachtenberg later portrayed notable characters on “Six Feet Under,” “Weeds,” and “Gossip Girl,” in which she excelled as villain Georgina Sparks, a role that earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination.
She revisited her “Gossip Girl” roots for a couple of guest appearances in the 2021 reboot of the series. Blake Lively, her co-star, paid tribute to Trachtenberg via social media, honoring her intrinsic kindness and talent.
Highlighting her millennial influence, Trachtenberg appeared in Fall Out Boy’s music video for “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” featuring fellow actor Seth Green.
Hollywood celebrities joined in mourning her loss, with David Boreanaz of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” calling the news heartbreaking. Melissa Gilbert, a co-star in the 1996 film “A Holiday for Love,” expressed her sorrow for the actress’s family and all who cherished her.
Rosie O’Donnell, who co-starred in “Harriet the Spy,” described Trachtenberg’s passing as devastating, recognizing the struggles she faced in her last years. Glee’s Chris Colfer reminisced about her kindness and supportive nature.
Her filmography also includes “Ice Princess” in 2005, where she portrayed a math whiz and aspiring skater, and the 2004 comedy “EuroTrip.” She took part in “17 Again” with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann in 2009 and played more intense roles such as a stalker on “Criminal Minds.”
In the 2013 film “Killing Kennedy,” she notably performed many of her lines in Russian, a language she learned from her mother.
Additional credits on her varied resume include roles in “Mysterious Skin” (2004), “Black Christmas” (2006), and starring in the medical drama “Mercy” from 2009 to 2010. More recently, she brought her talents to hosting the true-crime series “Meet, Marry, Murder” on Tubi.
