Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress greatest identified for her roles as Daybreak Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Georgina Sparks on Gossip Lady, has died. She was 39.
Trachtenberg was discovered unresponsive in her New York Metropolis condo early Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the NYPD informed Yahoo Leisure. Authorities mentioned her dying just isn’t believed to be suspicious, and the reason for dying is pending an official post-mortem report. Sources informed ABC Information the actress not too long ago underwent a liver transplant and will have been experiencing problems.
A baby star who seamlessly transitioned into extra mature roles, Trachtenberg first gained recognition within the Nineteen Nineties on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete, earlier than touchdown the lead function in Harriet the Spy (1996). She turned a family title on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the place she performed Daybreak Summers, the youthful sister of Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar).
Final month, Trachtenberg mirrored on her time co-starring with Gellar, sharing a photograph of them collectively on Instagram with the caption: “Slay all day! At all times cherished this twinning photograph of us!”
In 2008, Trachtenberg took on the function of Georgina Sparks, a crafty socialite on Gossip Lady. The character shortly turned one of many present’s most infamous scene-stealers, incomes her a Teen Alternative Award nomination for Alternative TV Villain in 2012. As she informed Seventeen in 2009, taking part in an “evil” individual like Georgina is “much more enjoyable than taking part in the nice lady.”
A New York Metropolis native, Trachtenberg additionally starred in a wide range of movies, together with the raunchy teen comedy EuroTrip (2004), the ice skating drama Ice Princess (2005) and 17 Once more (2009), alongside Zac Efron.
Right here’s a have a look at a few of Trachtenberg’s most notable roles and the place to observe them.
Gossip Lady (2008–2012, 2023)
Leighton Meester and Trachtenberg in Gossip Lady. (Giovanni Rufino/The CW/Courtesy Everett Assortment)
Trachtenberg performed a scheming troublemaker in Manhattan’s elite circles. She first appeared in Season 1 as Serena van der Woodsen’s unpredictable former good friend and later turned one of many present’s most infamous villains. Georgina’s dramatic twists stored followers hooked for a number of seasons. In 2023, Trachtenberg reprised the function in two episodes of Max’s Gossip Lady reboot.
The place to observe: Streaming on Max and Netflix. In the stores on Amazon and different VOD platforms.
Stream on Max
Stream on Netflix
Harriet the Spy (1996)
Trachtenberg performed an 11-year-old aspiring journalist in Harriet the Spy. (Everrett Assortment)
Within the film based mostly on the beloved youngsters’s e book by Louise Fitzhugh, Trachtenberg performs an 11-year-old aspiring journalist in New York Metropolis who secretly paperwork the world round her — till her non-public pocket book falls into the incorrect fingers. The movie was a defining second that marked Trachtenberg as a rising star.
The place to observe: Streaming free on Pluto. In the stores or lease on Amazon and different VOD platforms.
Stream on Pluto
Purchase or lease on Amazon
EuroTrip (2004)
Trachtenberg, left, alongside Scott Mechlowicz and Jacob Pitts in Eurotrip. (DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Assortment)
Within the movie that noticed her transition from a toddler star to a extra grownup function, Trachtenberg performed Jenny, a witty and adventurous traveler who embarks on a chaotic journey throughout Europe together with her mates. The movie turned a cult favourite.
The place to observe: Streaming on Xfinity Stream. In the stores or lease on Amazon and different VOD platforms.
Stream on Xfinity
Purchase or lease on Amazon
Ice Princess (2005)
Trachtenberg as an ice skating star in Ice Princess. (Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Assortment)
Trachtenberg starred as Casey Carlyle, a superb scholar who applies her scientific information to mastering the game of aggressive determine skating. A heartwarming coming-of-age story, the movie is a favourite amongst followers of inspirational sports activities dramas.
The place to observe: Streaming on Disney+ and Xfinity Stream. In the stores or lease on Amazon and different VOD platforms.
Stream on Disney+
Purchase or lease on Amazon
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003)
Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (twentieth Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Assortment)
Launched in Season 5, Trachtenberg performed Buffy’s youthful sister Daybreak, whose arrival was shrouded in thriller as she was revealed to be a mystical key remodeled into human kind. Trachtenberg’s character grew from a susceptible newcomer into an important member of the Scooby gang.
The place to observe: Streaming on Hulu (and on Disney+ for the bundle subscribers), and free on Tubi. In the stores or lease on Amazon and different VOD platforms.
Stream on Hulu
Stream free on Tubi
