Michelle Trachtenberg, Beloved 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Actress, Dies at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ice Princess, and Gossip Girl, has died. She was 39.

Trachtenberg's journey in the entertainment industry began at an incredibly young age. She first appeared in television commercials when she was three years old, but her first major television role came when she was cast as Lily Montgomery in the long-running soap opera All My Children. Her breakout moment arrived with Harriet the Spy (1996), a film adaptation of the beloved children's novel. Playing the lead role of Harriet M. Welsch, Trachtenberg's performance resonated with young audiences. She continued to build on this success with a recurring role on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work on the Discovery Channel children's series Truth or Scare.

Trachtenberg's most iconic role came in 2000 when she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar's titular character. Her portrayal of Dawn quickly became a fan favorite, making her a significant part of the cult fantasy series' legacy.

Following her Buffy years, Trachtenberg expanded her filmography with notable roles in a variety of genres. She starred in the 2004 comedy EuroTrip, as well as starring in the 2005 Disney film, Ice Princess as Casey Carlyle, a bookish teenager who discovers a passion for figure skating. In 2008, she returned to television with Gossip Girl, playing the devious and unpredictable Georgina Sparks. She also starred alongside Zac Efron and Matthew Perry in the 2009 Warner Bros. comedy 17 Again as the daughter of Perry's character.

Throughout her career, Trachtenberg continued to work steadily in television, making guest appearances in popular shows such as House, Weeds, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Sleepy Hollow. She also explored voice acting, lending her talents to animated projects like Robot Chicken. Most recently, she reprised her role as Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl sequel series on Max in 2023, delighting longtime fans with her return.

According to news sources, Trachtenberg was found in her New York City apartment by her mother early in the morning. Reports indicate that she had recently undergone a liver transplant, though further details surrounding her passing have yet to be fully disclosed.