Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away at the age of 39. The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star was found dead in her New York City apartment at One Columbus Place on Wednesday morning. According to reports from ABC News, her mother discovered her body just after 8 a.m.
Who Was Michelle Trachtenberg
Born on October 11, 1985, in New York City, she began her acting career at a young age and achieved significant success in both television and film. She started her acting journey at a very young age of three years and started appearing in commercials. Her early television roles included Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and a recurring role on “All My Children.” In 1996, she starred as the titular character in “Harriet the Spy,” marking her breakthrough in film.
In 2000, Trachtenberg joined the cast of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the protagonist. Her portrayal earned her critical acclaim and a Young Artist Award. She continued to expand her filmography with roles in “EuroTrip” (2004), “Ice Princess” (2005), and “17 Again” (2009). From 2008 to 2012, she captivated audiences as Georgina Sparks in the popular series “Gossip Girl,” a role she reprised in the 2022 reboot.
Possible Medical Complications
Reports indicate that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant, and while the cause of her death has yet to be confirmed, medical experts suspect potential complications from the procedure. Although her passing is believed to be from natural causes, an official autopsy is still pending. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected at this time.
Gossip Girl Co-Stars React
The entertainment industry has been left in shock, with many of Trachtenberg’s former co-stars and friends expressing their grief on social media. Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, posted a story and wrote “So sad to hear the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg.. sending prayers.” Blake Lively and Chace Crawford also shared their condolences, reminiscing about their time working together. Fans of the actress have flooded social media with messages of love and support, sharing memorable moments from her career.
