Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has passed away at the age of 39, according to reports from US media outlets.
Police responded to an emergency call around 8:00 AM local time (1300 GMT) on Wednesday and found the actress unconscious and unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment, The New York Times reported. Emergency medical workers pronounced her dead at the scene, though no official cause of death has been disclosed. Authorities stated that foul play is not suspected.
ABC News, citing anonymous sources, reported that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have experienced complications related to the procedure.
Born in New York, Trachtenberg began her career as a child star, earning early recognition for playing the lead role in the 1996 film “Harriet the Spy,” where she starred alongside Rosie O’Donnell. She also appeared in Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete.”
Her breakthrough role came in the cult-favorite television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” where she portrayed Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s titular character. She was part of the series from 2000 to 2003.
Following her success on “Buffy,” Trachtenberg gained further popularity with her role as Georgina Sparks, a cunning socialite in the hit drama “Gossip Girl,” which aired from 2008 to 2012. She shared the screen with stars such as Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, and Leighton Meester.
Her film credits include “EuroTrip,” “17 Again,” and “The Scribbler.” She also made appearances in TV series like “Weeds” and “Mercy,” and had a cameo in the 2022 “Gossip Girl” reboot, marking her final acting credit.
Fans and colleagues from the entertainment industry have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the actress, remembering her contributions to television and film.
Sources By Agencies
