Michelle Trachtenberg, Beloved Star of ‘Harriet the Spy’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ Dies at 39
Michelle Trachtenberg, who captured hearts as a child star in Harriet the Spy and later wowed audiences in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has tragically passed away at the age of 39. She was found unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment near Columbus Circle on the morning of February 26. Emergency responders arrived shortly after 8:00 AM and sadly pronounced her dead at the scene.
.jpg_pvBuZr?tr=w-631,cr-0.0.631.1022&config=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)
Authorities confirmed that no foul play was suspected. In respect of the family’s religious wishes, no autopsy was performed, but toxicology tests later revealed that Trachtenberg died from natural causes, specifically complications related to diabetes mellitus.
Born and raised in New York City, Trachtenberg’s career took off at just three years old with TV commercials, eventually leading to a recurring role on All My Children. Her breakout came with Nickelodeon’s first feature film, Harriet the Spy, where her portrayal of Harriet M. Welsch earned widespread acclaim. She often credited co-star Rosie O’Donnell as a key supporter during those formative years.
Trachtenberg quickly became a fixture of 1990s Nickelodeon, charming audiences with her quirky spirit and natural comedic timing in shows like The Adventures of Pete & Pete and hosting Truth or Scare, which earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination.
In 2000, she stepped into the role of Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, embracing both the love and the criticism that came with playing Buffy’s younger, often angsty sister. She tackled the scrutiny with humor and resilience, once quipping, “Hi, were you a teenager?” when addressing fan complaints about her character.
Beyond Buffy, she starred in cult classics like EuroTrip and Ice Princess, the latter alongside Kim Cattrall, who fondly remembered her, posting, “Rest in peace, sweet Michelle.” Her unforgettable turn as the chaotic Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl solidified her status as a scene-stealer, earning her a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Villain in 2012. She even reprised the role in the 2023 reboot.
Throughout her career, Trachtenberg made appearances on House, Weeds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, and lent her voice to Robot Chicken. She remained active and connected with fans on social media, often sharing nostalgic memories. In one of her last posts, she reflected on a red carpet moment in New York, writing, “I remember feeling like Cinderella. Wishing everyone an ethereal weekend.”
Tributes from friends and co-stars poured in after her passing. James Marsters, her Buffy co-star, shared, “My heart is heavy today. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and incredibly talented.” Rosie O’Donnell, who had a special bond with Michelle, called her death “heartbreaking.”
Michelle Trachtenberg’s vibrant spirit, immense talent, and enduring legacy will be deeply missed. Our hearts remain with her family, friends, and fans during this incredibly difficult time.