Certainly not the news that we want to be reporting, but actressMichelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles onBuffy the Vampire SlayerandGossip Girl, has died at the age of 39. While no cause of death has been determined, Trachtenberg posted a series of posts recently that sparked concerns among her fans.
Per The New York Post, Trachtenberg’s death was confirmed by police sources who stated that she was found at 8:00 AM on Wednesday by her mother at a luxury apartment complex in New York. Trachtenberg’s death is currently not being investigated as suspicious, with some reports suggesting the actress recently underwent a liver transplant. Others have expressed concern over Trachtenberg’s health in recent months based on her social media presence.
Michelle Trachtenberg Also Accuses Joss Whedon of Inappropriate Behavior on Buffy Set
The 35-year old actress played the sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy when she was a teenager.
Trachtenberg counts 800,000 followers on Instagram, where some fans were troubled by recent photos of the actress and left presumptuous comments questioning her weight and whether she was struggling with drug abuse. In response to some of these comments, Trachtenberg stated, “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.” It seemed that many fans were posting out of concern for Trachtenberg’s health and not necessarily criticizing her appearance. Some fans pointed to her hair being thinner and her eyes appearing to have a yellow color to them.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Career Was Filled With Beloved Roles
Trachtenberg was born on August 18, 2025, in New York City and began her career in 1998 in a Wisk detergent commercial before making an appearance inthe second season ofLaw & Order. She rose to fame with the younger set playing Nona F. Mecklenberg on the cult-classic Nickelodeon seriesThe Adventures of Pete & Pete. She played the role from 1994 to 1996, during which she pulled double duty, playing Lily Montgomery on the ABC soap operaAll My Children. Trachtenberg stayed within the Nickelodeon family for her first film role in 1996’sHarriet the Spy, which grossed $26.6 million on a $12 million budget.
It was in 2000 that Trachtenberg scored what may be considered her most prominent role, as Dawn Summers, in the hit seriesBuffy the Vampire Slayer, which reunited her with Sarah Michelle Gellar following their time onAll My Childrentogether. Trachtenberg remained onBuffyuntil the show ended in 2003. The following year, she starred in the comedyEurotrip, which has gone on to become a cult classic since its release. Trachtenberg’s other film credits includeInspector Gadget,Ice Princess,and17 Again, among others.
Trachtenberg stayed busy in film and TV over the years with roles in 2006’sBlack Christmasremake and The CW’sGossip Girl, where she played the scene-stealing Georgina Sparks. The character proved so popular that she returned for a multiple-episode arc during the show’s second season and would return again during Seasons 3, 4, 5 and the sixth and final season. Trachtenberg also reprised herGossip Girlrole in the second and final season of the short-lived revival on Max. The actress' memorable television roles include guest spots onWeeds,Criminal MindsandLaw & Order: Criminal Intent.
