Michelle Trachtenberg, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Gossip Girl’ actress, dead at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, who appeared in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died. She was 39.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away," the actress's publicist Gary Mantoosh told Yahoo Entertainment. "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment on Feb. 26. A spokesperson for the NYPD told Yahoo that police responded to a 911 call at the high-rise building at 8:01 a.m.

"Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive," the spokesperson said. "EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased."

Trachtenberg's death is not believed to be suspicious, police said. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and an investigation is ongoing.

ABC News reported that Trachtenberg's mother discovered her in the apartment. The outlet said that Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and that it is possible there were complications.

Trachtenberg shared an Instagram post as recently as Feb. 18, with a throwback image.

Born in New York City, Trachtenberg started acting at age 3, and her first major TV role was on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete in 1994. She went on to star in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy.

Trachtenberg broke through as a young actor playing the sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawn Summers, from 2000 to 2003. In 2004, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for her role in Truth or Scare. She later landed the role of Georgina Sparks on the CW’s Gossip Girl, which ran from 2007 to 2012. She appeared in the HBO Max reboot in 2022 and 2023.

Her later work also included hosting the Tubi true crime television series Meet, Marry, Murder in 2021.

Many of Trachtenberg's former co-stars have paid tribute to her after the news broke.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar shared a carousel of photos with her TV sibling and real-life friend through the years. The quote she used was a take on dialogue from the show's "The Gift" episode. Gellar wrote, “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”

Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen to Trachtenberg's villainess bad girl on Gossip Girl, shared a photo of the day they met. "She was electricity," Lively wrote. "You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself... The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle."

Lively also noted that Trachtenberg had a signature caramel-scented lip gloss that she wore because "she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lip gloss because she cared about the sweet details."

Chace Crawford, who played Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, honored Trachtenberg in an Instagram post: "Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you."

Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wrote in an Instagram post, "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."

Jessica Szohr, Gossip Girl's Vanessa Abrams, said Trachtenberg was a person who "bursts onto the scene with energy that instantly brings a smile to your face. She’s not only a true professional, but she’s also the perfect antidote to anyone who takes life a bit too seriously. Her kindness and outrageous sense of humor create an atmosphere of joy, both on set and beyond. We shared countless laughs during filming, over the phone, and at various events. Her captivating stories are so entertaining that you can’t help but want to hear more! She’s truly one of a kind."

Emma Caulfield, who played Anya on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a tribute to Trachtenberg on her Instagram Stories, writing, "I'm so sorry your bright light died so young. Our Buffy family lost a little sister today ... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."

Clare Kramer, who played Glory on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wrote in an Instagram post, "Peace out little one. A talented & kind soul gone way too soon! You’re free to fly now…"

Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass, wrote on Instagram Stories, “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers."

David Boreanaz, who played Angel on Buffy, wrote on Instagram Stories, “So very sad …horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”

Buffy's James Marsters, who played Spike, told People, "My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."

Rosie O'Donnell, who co-starred in Harriet the Spy, called the news "heartbreaking" in a statement to the same outlet. "I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped."

Kim Cattrall, who appeared in Ice Princess (2005) with Trachtenberg, also called the loss "heartbreaking" in a post on X. "So talented, much too young. RIP Sweet Beauty."

She later shared a photo of them from their movie on Instagram.

Melissa Gilbert, who played Trachtenberg's mother in the 1996 TV movie A Holiday for Love, wrote on Instagram, "Oh Michy…and we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so."

Kenan Thompson, a fellow former Nickelodeon child star, posted a video of a sketch they did at the 1999 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, and wrote: "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! ???? Check on your people!!!"

Additional reporting by Neia Balao.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated Trachtenberg's age when she acted on The Adventures of Pete & Pete.