Michelle Trachtenberg, ‘Buffy,’ ‘Gossip Girl’ Star, Dies at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress who rose to fame as a child star in “Harriet the Spy” and went on to become a familiar face on hit television shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has died at the age of 39, The Associated Press reports.

Police responded to a 911 call at around 8 a.m. at a luxury apartment building in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. Upon arrival, officers found Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive,” according to an NYPD statement. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected, and the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death.

Trachtenberg’s career began at a young age. She first gained recognition playing Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1994 to 1996. Her breakthrough role came in 1996 when she starred as the titular character in the film adaptation of “Harriet the Spy.” She also starred in “Inspector Gadget” alongside Matthew Broderick.

Later, she joined the cast of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 2000, portraying Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy, until 2003. In 2021, Trachtenberg publicly thanked Gellar for speaking out against Joss Whedon following allegations of abuse against the showrunner, alluding to “his not appropriate behavior” she experienced as a teenage actor.

Beyond “Buffy,” Trachtenberg enjoyed a successful career in both television and film. In 2001, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for hosting Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.” She had recurring roles on “Six Feet Under,” “Weeds,” and “Gossip Girl,” where she played the scheming and popular villain Georgina Sparks. Her portrayal of Georgina earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination in 2012.

Trachtenberg reprised her role as Georgina Sparks in the 2021 “Gossip Girl” revival, making guest appearances.

Following news of her death, Blake Lively, Trachtenberg’s “Gossip Girl” co-star, paid tribute on Instagram, calling her “a deeply sensitive and good person.”

“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire,” Lively posted.

Trachtenberg’s film credits include “Ice Princess” (2005), “EuroTrip” (2004), “17 Again” (2009), and “Killing Kennedy” (2013), where she spoke Russian, a language she learned from her mother. She also appeared in “Mysterious Skin” (2004) and “Black Christmas” (2006). More recently, she hosted the true-crime docuseries “Meet, Marry, Murder” on Tubi.