Michelle Trachtenberg, star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and Harriet the Spy, has tragically passed away, aged 39. The actor was found dead by her mother at her Manhattan home in the early morning of Wednesday, February 26.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a representative stated.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) additionally confirmed via a press release that Trachtenberg was pronounced dead after being found “unconscious and unresponsive”. The television and film star had recently undergone a liver transplant, and NYPD sources report that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The New York City medical examiner will confirm the cause of death at a later stage.
Fans and colleagues have taken to social media to pay their respects, with tributes pouring in for the Ice Princess star.
Glee actor and friend Chris Colfer relayed, “Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew. I’m so lucky I got to be her friend.”
View this post on Instagram
Fellow child star Mara Wilson shared, “My heart is breaking for my childhood friend. Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle.”
Sex and The City star Kim Cattrall, who played alongside Michelle in Ice Princess, wrote, “This is Heartbreaking. So talented, much too young. RIP Sweet Beauty. Xo.”
View this post on Instagram
Trachtenberg, who broke onto the scene with the release of the 1996 comedy Harriet the Spy, had various roles throughout her life.
Reaching a wide audience playing Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 to 2003, she went on to play iconic roles like Georgina in Gossip Girl in both its original run and the 2023 reboot. Trachtenberg also starred in teen favourites like 17 Again with Zac Efron and the late Matthew Perry, Ice Princess with Kim Cattral and 2004 horror Black Christmas.
Michelle was reportedly in talks to star in the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, having originally played the little sister of the titular character Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Alyson Hannigan, who played lesbian wiccan icon Willow Rosenberg, released a statement on her co-star’s passing, stating: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Rest in power, Michelle Trachtenberg.
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.