Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died at the age of 39.
Michelle Trachtenberg Dies: What’s the cause of death?
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that she was found unresponsive at her Manhattan residence in One Columbus Place, a luxury apartment complex near Central Park.
Authorities say Trachtenberg was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders, and her death is not considered suspicious. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.
According to sources, Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant, though it is unclear whether this played a role in her passing.
Michelle Trachtenberg biography
Born on 11 October 1985, in New York City, Michelle Christine Trachtenberg began acting at the age of three, appearing in over 100 commercials before landing television roles.
She gained early recognition as Nona F. Mecklenberg on The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994–1996) and as Lily Montgomery on the soap opera All My Children.
Her breakthrough came in 1996 when she starred in Harriet the Spy, followed by a lead role in Meego (1997), which earned her a Young Artist Award.
However, she became widely known for playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003).
Trachtenberg went on to star in several major projects, including:
- EuroTrip (2004)
- Ice Princess (2005)
- Mysterious Skin (2004)
- Black Christmas (2006)
She later gained a new generation of fans through her recurring role as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl (2008–2012) and starred in NBC’s medical drama Mercy (2009–2010).
In recent years, she worked behind the scenes as an executive producer for the true crime series Meet, Marry, Murder (2021) on Tubi.
Reactions to Michelle Trachtenberg’s death
News of Trachtenberg’s passing has sent shockwaves across Hollywood and among her fans.
Here are some of the tributes and reactions we picked:
