Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who is best known for roles in Harriet The Spy, Gossip Girl, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and more, has died. Trachtenberg was a child star and got her start by participating in granular parts until she got her breakout role as Dawn, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Trachtenberg was 39.
According to reports, the cause of death for Trachtenberg has not been released however, the actress recently underwent a liver transplant and may have been experiencing complications a source tells ABC News.
The actress was found dead on Wednesday (Feb. 26) in her New York City apartment. Her mother was the one who discovered her body at 8 a.m. EST. While an autopsy has yet to be performed, coroners do not expect any foul play to result in the death of the actress.
Celebrities pay tribute to the death of Michelle Trachtenberg
Several costars and fans of Trachtenberg used social media to send their condolences and pay their respect to the late actress. Sex in the City’s Kim Cattrall shared a tribute to Trachtenberg who they played alongside each other in the film Ice Princess.
“This is Heartbreaking. [heartbreak emoji] So talented, much too young,” Cattrall commented under Variety’s post on X. “RIP Sweet Beauty. xo.”
This is Heartbreaking.
So talented, much too young.
RIP Sweet Beauty. xo— Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall) February 26, 2025
Cattral followed up on Instagram sharing a post of the two of them from a scene in Ice Princess.
“Rest in peace my sweet angel,” Cattral captioned the photo.
Ed Westwick, who portrayed Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, also spoke to PEOPLE about the passing of Trachtenberg. The actress was in 29 episodes throughout the original run of Gossip Girl from 2007-2012 and then reprised her role as Georgina Sparks in the sequel of the show which ran on Max from 2021-2023.
“‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Michelle but I remember a talented, sharp, funny and warm soul,” he shared. “Thinking of her and the family. So sad.’”
He also shared a photo of Trachtenberg on his Instagram Stories.
“So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers,” he wrote along with a prayer hands and white heart emoji.
Melissa Joan-Hart worked with Trachtenberg on one of her earlier roles in her career on the 90s sitcom Clarissa Explains It All.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg!! So young, so talented and so sweet!” she wrote on Instagram sharing a scene with a young Trachtenberg. “Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll.”
She continued, “I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”
Rosie O’Donnell played alongside Trachtenberg in Harriet The Spy spoke to Us Weekly about the passing of her former costar.
“Heartbreaking,” O’Donnell said. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
While O’Donnell didn’t go into specifics, last year, Trachtenberg shut down rumors about her physical appearance as fans suspected she got cosmetic surgery done.
“Fun fact. This is my face,” she wrote. “Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.”
In another post, the actress wrote, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
The post Celebs pen tributes over sudden passing of Michelle Trachtenberg appeared first on ClutchPoints.
