ACTRESS Michelle Trachtenberg who rose to fame from the age of 10 was found dead in her New York apartment on February 26, 2025.
Fans and celebrities have flocked to the internet to pay tribute as they mourn the loss of one of Hollywood’s stars. Here’s what we know.
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Who was Michelle Trachtenburg?
Michelle Trachtenberg was an American actress best known for her teen role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Born on October 11, 1985, Michelle began her career in TV commercials at age of three.
The child star was born to Jewish parents in New York City.
She was raised with her older sister Irene in Brooklyn where she attended the Bay Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Bullying
Although Michelle found fame from a young age, finding friends wasn’t so easy.
The Gossip Girl star had been open in interviews about her school years and how she was a victim of bullying.
On her Instagram where she gained over one million followers, she has shared posts her experience.
In a post she shared on February 13, 2020, she said: “The kids were cruel. There is no need to harp on the past,” she said.
“But I still have scars from being thrown down stairs and slammed into lockers head first.”
“I write this to every child, teen, person, out there who is bullied. You are something. Do not put your value in someone else. Not letting them win, is your win.”
Death
After having starred in many acting roles, Michelle was found dead in her New York apartment by her mother on February 26, 2025 at the age of 39.
The star actress was pronounced dead at the scene after Michelle was found “unconscious and unresponsive.”
Michelle Trachtenberg is understood to have endured a secret health battle in the months before she was found dead, which included her having a liver transplant operation.
The medical procedure took place towards the end of 2024, and Michelle is believed to have been experiencing complications from it.
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Citing law enforcement sources, TMZ reported that her body may have even rejected the new liver.
The cause of the stars death is still unclear as of February 27, 2025.
Her family’s representatives confirmed her death in a statement.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss,” it said.
Authorities said her death was not being treated as suspicious.
“Criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing,” the NYPD said in a statement.
Co-stars paid tribute to her online, describing her as a “fiercely intelligent” person who “cared deeply” about her work.
Career
Michelle’s has an impressive filmography that spans from her early years right up to her last days.
A source revealed there were even plans to reprise her character Dawn Summers in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival before her shock death.
A source told the Daily Mail: “Michelle Trachtenberg was in talks to return to Buffy the reboot and she was incredibly hopeful about it”.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s most memorable film and TV appearances
Adventures of Pete & Pete
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Michelle made her television debut in her first credited role on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
The series was a Nickelodeon show that ran for three seasons from 1993 to 1996.
She was eight-years-old when she began playing the role of Nona Mecklenberg between 1994 and 1996.
There was speculation around why the show was cancelled, but producers say it folded primarily due to declining ratings and changes in the network’s programming strategy.
Harriet the Spy
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The children’s book by Louise Fitzhugh was reimagined in a 1996 film adaptation called Harriet the Spy.
The film stars Michelle who plays the lead role of a tween spy but on her travels learns a hard lesson after her friends find her secret notebook.
On July 10, 2022 Michelle posted a tribute to the film, sharing her fond memories of it and even her favourite line in the script.
She said: “Time flies….Harriet the Spy opened in theaters 26 years ago today.
“The first day of filming was my 10th birthday.
“One of my favorite quotes from the movie said by Golly also known as @rosie‘You know what? You’re an individual, and that makes people nervous. And it’s gonna keep making people nervous for the rest of your life‘, she said.”
Meego
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Many Millennials will remember this American science fiction sitcom television series that ran for six episodes in 1997, on the CBS television network.
Meego saw a bunch of aliens become befriended by some children who convince their recently-widowed father to hire him as their nanny.
Michelle played the role of Maggie Parker who found the friendly aliens after their spaceship crashed on Earth.
The children’s TV series was pulled after it failed to keep up with direct competition faced from another popular TV show called Boy Meets World, that aired at the same time on TGIF.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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Michelle found further success on the popular drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003).
She played the role of Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the show’s vampire slayer.
The role won her another Young Artist Award and earned her three Saturn Award nominations.
Euro Trip
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Michelle played the role of Jenny in the 2004 film, Euro Trip.
While the movie didn’t please everyone when it was released, Michelle turned out to be the most successful actor from the cast.
Gossip Girl
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Playing the role of Georgina Sparks, Gossip Girl is considered one of Michelle’s most memorable on-screen appearances.
The series was broadcast on CW from September 19, 2007, to December 17, 2012, spanning six seasons and 121 episodes.
As the cast aged and the show’s storyline became less relevant, Gossip Girl ended after season six.
Gossip Girl was revived in 2021 to 2023 and Michelle appeared again as the much-loved Georgina for two episodes.
Ice Princess
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Ice Princess was one of the late actress’ most notable roles in 2005.
Michelle starred alongside actress Kim Cattrall in this film that follows her coming of age story.
She played the role of Casey Carlyle who decides to follow her childhood dreams of becoming an ice skater.
On Wednesday February 26, 2025, Kim Cattrall shared a tribute to Michelle on her Instagram post.
She said: “Rest in peace sweet Michelle,” alongside a photo of her and Michelle from the film Ice Princess.
Other popular TV shows and Films Michelle Trachtenberg appeared in include:
- Clarissa Explains It All (1993)
- Inspector Gadget (1999)
- Black Christmas (2006)
- The Circuit (2008)
- 17 Again (2009)
- Mercy (2009-2010)
- Killing Kennedy (2013)
- Guidance (2015)
- Human Kind of (2018)
Tributes to Michelle Trachtenberg
Friends and former co-stars of Trachtenberg’s were quick to post tributes on social media honoring the actress.
David Boreanaz, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a photo of the actress on his Instagram story, commenting, “So very sad…horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick posted a photo on his Instagram story of the actress when she played Georgina Sparks. He wrote, “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in 2005 film Ice Princess, wrote, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, also said the news was “heartbreaking.”
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said, according to People.
James Marsters, another co-star on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on Instagram to honor the late actress. “My heart is heavy today,” he wrote.
“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.”
Fellow Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson posted a farewell message to the actress and reminded others to check in on their friends.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!” he wrote.
Melissa Joan Hart, Trachtenberg’s Clarissa Explains it All co-star, said she was “heartbroken” over her death alongside a clip of the show.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” she said. “So young, so talented and so sweet!”
“I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”
Content shared from www.the-sun.com.