NEW YORK, USA — Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress who captivated audiences as a child star in Harriet the Spy before making her mark in television hits like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died at the age of 39, according to the New York City Police Department.
Authorities responded to a 911 call on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, just after 8 a.m. local time and discovered Trachtenberg unconscious and unresponsive inside a Manhattan apartment.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced her deceased at the scene.
“Criminality is not suspected,” the NYPD said in a statement, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
The Medical Examiner’s office will determine the official cause of death.
A law enforcement source told CNN that Trachtenberg had a recent medical issue, and her death appears to be from natural causes.
“The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time,” a representative for Trachtenberg said in a statement.
From Child Star to TV Icon
Trachtenberg first gained recognition in the 1990s through Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete before starring in Harriet the Spy (1996), the network’s first feature film.
The movie, which co-starred Rosie O’Donnell and J. Smith-Cameron, became a cultural touchstone for a generation of young viewers.
In a 2001 interview, Trachtenberg reflected on the impact of the role: “I’m extremely grateful for the experience… People tell me, ‘You inspired my life. You made me become a writer.’ It’s just beautiful.”
O’Donnell described Trachtenberg’s passing as “heartbreaking,” adding, “I loved her very much.”
Other former Nickelodeon stars, including Melissa Joan Hart and Kenan Thompson, also shared their condolences.
In 2000, she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Her character’s introduction in Season 5 was met with mixed reactions, which Trachtenberg later joked about, saying, “Most of the haters don’t have the guts to say things in person.”
James Marsters, her Buffy co-star, paid tribute on Instagram, writing, “We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person.”
A Career of Reinvention
Trachtenberg seamlessly transitioned into adult roles, appearing in the 2004 comedy EuroTrip, the HBO drama Six Feet Under, and Disney’s Ice Princess (2005), where she starred alongside Kim Cattrall.
Cattrall posted a tribute on social media, saying, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Her role as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl marked a career reinvention.
As a recurring antagonist, she delivered some of the show’s most scandalous moments, later reprising the role in HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot.
“It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” she told Seventeen magazine in 2009. “I love the reaction you get.”
Trachtenberg also made guest appearances on House, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Sleepy Hollow.
Remembering Her Legacy
Though it is unclear what she was working on at the time of her death, Trachtenberg was recently active on social media.
Just days before her passing, she shared a post reminiscing about a past red carpet appearance.
“A memory, a magical night in #newyork. I remember feeling like Cinderella,” she wrote. “Wishing everyone an ethereal weekend.”
Her impact on television and film remains undeniable, and her legacy will endure through the performances that captivated audiences across generations.
