Wed Feb 26 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Beloved Actress Michelle Trachtenberg Dies at 39
**New York, NY** – Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, *Harriet the Spy*, and *Gossip Girl*, has died at the age of 39. Police confirmed her death, discovered by her mother in a New York apartment, though the cause of death is currently unknown and is not being treated as suspicious. Sources indicate Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant.
Trachtenberg, a child actor who began her career at age three, enjoyed a prolific career spanning decades. Her breakout role came in the 1996 film *Harriet the Spy*, alongside Rosie O’Donnell, who paid tribute, calling the news “heartbreaking” and expressing her wish she could have helped Trachtenberg in her struggles of recent years.
Other notable roles included Dawn Summers in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, Georgina Sparks in *Gossip Girl*, and appearances in films such as *EuroTrip*, *Mysterious Skin*, and *Ice Princess*. Her *Gossip Girl* co-star, Ed Westwick, also shared a message of mourning on social media.
Trachtenberg’s career showcased her versatility, from child roles to complex adult characters. She expressed particular pride in her work on *Mysterious Skin* and described Georgina Sparks as her favorite role. While her last major film role was in 2014’s *The Scribbler*, an unreleased drama titled *Spyral*, focusing on mental illness, is expected to be released posthumously. The entertainment industry mourns the loss of this talented and memorable actress.
First Piper 