Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, has passed away. The actress, known for her breakthrough performance in Nickelodeon’s Harriet the Spy and subsequent roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, was reportedly discovered deceased in her New York City apartment by her mother on Wednesday, shortly after 8 a.m. local time.
This news follows Trachtenberg’s recent liver transplant and potential related health issues. In recent months, she had shared concerning Instagram posts depicting significant weight loss. Her death is believed to be from natural causes, with no suspicion of foul play.
Born in New York, Trachtenberg gained prominence as a child actor in Harriet and the Nickelodeon sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She also made appearances in popular children’s programs like Clarissa Explains It All, Blues Clues, and Reading Rainbow, as well as adult dramas such as Law & Order and All My Children.
From 2000 to 2003, she played Dawn, Buffy’s younger sister (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her performance earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for TV Sidekick. In 2021, she joined others in speaking out. She stated that he was not allowed to be alone in a room with her and described his behavior as “Not. Appropriate.”
After Buffy, Trachtenberg secured a notable role in the original Gossip Girl, later returning as Georgina Sparks in the 2021 HBO Max reboot. This would be her final acting credit.