Michelle Trachtenberg, Star of Buffy and Gossip Girl, Dies at 39

Author: Stella Mar 28,2025

Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl," has passed away at the age of 39, as reported by The Post. According to police sources, her death is not being treated as suspicious.

ABC News reported that Trachtenberg was found deceased by her mother on Wednesday in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle. It was noted that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and might have been dealing with complications from the procedure.

Authorities believe that Trachtenberg died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is scheduled to officially determine the cause and manner of her death.

Michelle Trachtenberg in November 2023. Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images.

Trachtenberg's acting career began at the age of nine when she appeared on the 1990s Nickelodeon show "The Adventures of Pete and Pete." She made her film debut in 1996 with "Harriet the Spy." Her notable roles include playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar's character Buffy, in the teen drama "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" from 2000 to 2003. She also starred as Jenny in the 2004 teen comedy "EuroTrip" and as Casey Carlyle in the 2005 teen sports comedy-drama "Ice Princess."

In more recent years, Trachtenberg portrayed Georgina Sparks in the teen drama series "Gossip Girl," which aired from 2007 to 2012. She reprised this role in the second season of HBO Max's sequel series.

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