Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and EuroTrip, passed away on February 26, 2025, aged 39.
According to police sources, Trachtenberg was found dead in her apartment, though her death is not being investigated as suspicious.
Several media outlets are reporting Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant and could have been experiencing complications. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of her death.
Trachtenberg began acting at age three, starring in TV commercials before gaining recognition on The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994–1996).
Her breakthrough role came in 2000 as Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, earning her multiple award nominations.
She later starred in films like Ice Princess (2005) and Black Christmas (2006) and became a fan favourite as the scheming Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl (2007–2012).
Beyond acting, she hosted the Discovery Kids series Truth or Scare and later ventured into producing, working on projects like the Tubi true crime series Meet, Marry, Murder (2021).
Born in New York City in 1985, Trachtenberg was raised in Brooklyn before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. She remained active in the industry until her passing, with recent credits including a return to Gossip Girl in 2022 and a voice role in Harriet the Spy (2023).
Tributes from fellow co-stars have streamed in.
Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, wrote an emotional tribute on her Instagram Story.
“She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. 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.”
Alyson Hannigan, Trachtenberg’s co-star on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” took to Instagram to pay tribute to the late actress.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
Another Buffy alum, James Marsters penned a heartfelt Facebook post.
“My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.”
