Michelle Trachtenberg, Gossip Girl and Buffy Actress, Died Aged 39
- Staff Writer
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who first gained fame as a child star in the 1990s and early 2000s, has passed away at the age of 39.
Manhattan authorities responded to an emergency call on Wednesday morning, where they discovered Trachtenberg unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Best known for her portrayal of Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Trachtenberg later captivated audiences as the cunning Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, which aired from 2007 to 2012.
Her career began with a breakout role in Harriet the Spy (1996), followed by appearances in several Nickelodeon productions, solidifying her status as a beloved young actress.
Trachtenberg's passing was confirmed by her family's representatives in an official statement.
"It is with profound sadness that we confirm Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family asks for privacy as they grieve this tremendous loss," the statement read.
Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected. "Criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing," the NYPD confirmed.
Trachtenberg’s acting career began at just nine years old when she appeared in The Adventures of Pete & Pete on Nickelodeon. By the early 2000s, she had earned several acting nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Her film career included roles in EuroTrip, Ice Princess, Killing Kennedy, and Sister Cities.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, who worked alongside Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, called her passing “heartbreaking.”
"I loved her very much. She struggled in recent years. I wish I could have helped," O’Donnell expressed.
Her former Gossip Girl co-star, Ed Westwick, shared a heartfelt message alongside an image of Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks. “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers,” he wrote.
David Boreanaz, her Buffy the Vampire Slayer castmate, also took to Instagram, saying, “So very sad. Horrible news.”
James Marsters, another Buffy alum, described her as “fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a deeply talented person.” He added, “She left us far too soon, and so many people who loved her are mourning this loss.”
Trachtenberg first appeared in Gossip Girl in 2008 and reprised her role for two episodes in HBO Max’s 2023 reboot. Her last major television appearance came in 2021, when she hosted the true-crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder on Tubi.
In 2021, she also made headlines when she accused Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon of inappropriate behaviour on set, following similar allegations from her co-star Charisma Carpenter.
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