Actress Michelle Trachtenberg Passes Away at 39
FILE PHOTO: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg poses at the party for the launch of the Blackberry Torch in Los Angeles August 11, 2010. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
The Celebrity Beat…
Michelle Trachtenberg, celebrated for her prominent roles in popular television shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has tragically passed away at the age of 39. She was discovered unresponsive in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle early Wednesday morning, according to reports from local law enforcement.
Sources detailed to ABC News that Trachtenberg’s mother was the one who found her shortly after 8 a.m. It is reported that the actress had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have encountered related health complications. Authorities believe her death to be of natural causes, and foul play is not suspected at this time. An autopsy is set to be performed by the medical examiner’s office to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding her death.
Born and raised in New York City, Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, gaining fame through various Nickelodeon projects, including “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and the film “Harriet the Spy.”
Her career skyrocketed when she landed the role of Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” appearing alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar from 2000 to 2003. This role garnered her a nomination for the Teen Choice Award in 2001 for choice TV sidekick, marking a significant milestone in her early career.
In addition to her work on “Buffy,” Trachtenberg was known for her role as Georgina Sparks on the hit series “Gossip Girl” from 2008 to 2012. She also made a memorable appearance in Fall Out Boy’s music video for their popular track “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” released in 2007.
Throughout her career, she appeared in various television series, including “Mercy” and “Weeds,” as well as a recent cameo in the HBO “Gossip Girl” reboot in 2022. In film, her credits include notable titles such as “EuroTrip,” “17 Again,” and “The Scribbler.”
The entertainment world mourns the loss of a talented actress who left an indelible mark on both television and film.
SOURCE: ABC News
