Renowned actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her significant roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” was found deceased in her Manhattan, New York, apartment on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Her mother found her body at approximately 8 a.m., as reported by police.
Beginning her acting career in her early childhood, Trachtenberg gained recognition through her performances in well-known films and TV series, including “Harriet the Spy,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Gossip Girl.” Her passing has elicited a flood of tributes from colleagues and friends in the world of entertainment.
The New York Chief Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death as “undetermined” and the family refused an autopsy. Sources close to Trachtenberg suggest that she may have succumbed to complications from a recent liver transplant, as per ABC affiliate KFSN. Criminal activity is not suspected by authorities.
Forensic vehicles and a government van were observed outside Trachtenberg’s high-end Manhattan apartment building near Central Park on Wednesday. Trachtenberg was last publicly seen the previous Thursday, dining with friends at Sartiano’s, an Italian eatery in New York City.
In the days leading up to her death, Trachtenberg was active on social media, posting selfies and nostalgic photos which caused concern among her fans. Her final post included a selfie with the caption “the warmth before the storm,” which elicited anxious comments from followers about her appearance and general health.
A representative of Trachtenberg confirmed her death but did not provide further details regarding the circumstances.
Trachtenberg was born in New York City in 1985. In a 2005 interview with Radio Free, she stated that her father Michael had migrated from Germany, while her mother Lana was from Russia. She split her childhood between New York and Los Angeles, California, living with her mother and sister Irene in Tarzana, a suburb of Los Angeles, while her father resided in Brooklyn, New York.
At the age of three, Trachtenberg started her career, first appearing on Nickelodeon before securing roles that would shape her career. She played Nona Mecklenberg in “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” before landing the title role in the 1996 film “Harriet the Spy.” Her significant breakthrough came when she was cast as Dawn Summers, the younger sibling of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Later, Trachtenberg gained recognition for her portrayal of the scheming socialite Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl” from 2008 to 2012, a role she reprised in the show’s reboot in 2022-2023. Over her career, which spanned more than 62 movies and TV shows, she also featured in films such as “EuroTrip,” “Ice Princess,” and “17 Again.”
Trachtenberg’s sudden passing has stirred expressions of grief from friends and former co-stars. Rosie O’Donnell, who collaborated with Trachtenberg on “Harriet the Spy,” paid a heartfelt tribute. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” O’Donnell said, according to People.
Kim Cattrall, who co-starred with Trachtenberg in the 2005 film “Ice Princess,” posted a photo of them together on set with the caption, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Ed Westwick, who portrayed Chuck Bass on “Gossip Girl,” shared a photograph of Trachtenberg from her time on the show, expressing his sadness and offering prayers. David Boreanaz, who co-starred with Trachtenberg in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” posted on Instagram, “So very sad […] horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
James Marsters, who played Spike in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” described Trachtenberg as “fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person” who passed away “much too young.” “Gossip Girl” creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage hailed her depiction of Georgina Sparks as an “iconic fan-favorite” and remembered her as a “delight to have on set.”
Kenan Thompson, a fellow Nickelodeon star, posted a farewell message, saying, “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!”
Melissa Joan Hart, who worked with Trachtenberg on “Clarissa Explains It All,” conveyed her sorrow over the actress’s death, describing her as “so young, so talented and so sweet!”
In a 2020 interview with Collider, Trachtenberg spoke about the challenges of breaking into the entertainment industry as a first-generation American. “My mom wasn’t even familiar with how to go on auditions and push your daughter here,” she said. Trachtenberg had an early love for acting, and as a child, “my mom would have to beg me to go on playdates because I would want to go on auditions.”
In that same interview, Trachtenberg spoke of her ongoing passion for her craft. “I love what I do. As long as I have that feeling, then I’m gonna stick to it,” she stated. “As long as I’m lucky enough to get projects and keep working, I will always be grateful for it.”
Trachtenberg received several award nominations for her performances throughout her career, including Teen Choice Award nominations for both “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl.” She was also nominated for a Young Artist Award and a Saturn Award for her work on “Buffy.”
In recent years, Trachtenberg had been less visible on screen but kept in touch with fans through social media. Last year, she addressed concerns about her appearance, reassuring followers that she was “happy and healthy.”
According to a 2020 report by Us Weekly, Trachtenberg had been dating her talent agent, Jay Cohen. In 2023, Cohen posted a photograph of the actress on Valentine’s Day, although the status of their relationship at the time of her death is unknown.
The news of Trachtenberg’s death has resonated deeply among millennials who grew up watching her performances in iconic TV shows and films from the 90s and 2000s. Her varied roles and striking performances have made a significant impact on the entertainment industry and her dedicated fan base.
