Michelle Trachtenberg
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 11, 1985
- Died
- February 26, 2025 (aged 39)
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Michelle Christine Trachtenberg (October 11, 1985 – February 26, 2025) was an American actress who achieved widespread recognition as both a child star and a prominent television and film performer. Beginning her career at the age of three in television commercials, she landed her first major credited television role in Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994–1996) and transitioned to the big screen with the title role in the 1996 family comedy Harriet the Spy. Trachtenberg rose to international prominence as a teenager and young adult through iconic television and film projects. She is best known for portraying Dawn Summers in the fantasy drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003) and playing the memorable villain Georgina Sparks on the CW teen drama series Gossip Girl (2008–2012). Her diverse film credits also include the comedies EuroTrip (2004) and 17 Again (2009), as well as the Disney ice skating film Ice Princess (2005). On February 26, 2025, Trachtenberg was found dead at the age of 39 in her New York City apartment. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner later announced that she died from natural causes resulting from complications of diabetes mellitus.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
The Hill
Movie · as Maggie Rogers
Spyral
Movie · as Michelle Cody White (voice)
Unicorn Boy
Movie · as Violet (voice)
Meet, Marry, Murder
TV · as Self - Host · 13 eps
Gossip Girl
TV · as Georgina Sparks · 2 eps
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
TV · as Self - Contestant · 1 ep
Human Kind Of
TV · as Judy (voice) · 21 eps
Sister Cities
Movie · as Dallas Baxter
The Christmas Gift
Movie · as Megan
Guidance
TV · as Anna · 30 eps
The Scribbler
Movie · as Alice
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
TV · as Voice Over (voice) · 1 ep
Sexy Evil Genius
Movie · as Miranda Prague
Killing Kennedy
Movie · as Marina Oswald
Hollywood Game Night
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Sleepy Hollow
TV · as Abigail Adams · 1 ep
Take Me Home Tonight
Movie · as Ashley
Love Bites
TV · as Jodie · 3 eps
Teenage Paparazzo
Movie · as Self (uncredited)
Cop Out
Movie · as Ava
DC Showcase: Jonah Hex
Movie · as Bar Girl (voice)
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection
Movie · as Bar Girl (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
Against the Current
Movie · as Suzanne
17 Again
Movie · as Maggie O'Donnell
Mercy
TV · as Chloe Payne · 22 eps
The Super Hero Squad Show
TV · as Valkyrie (voice) · 52 eps
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV · as Self - Guest · 1 ep
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
TV · as Self · 1 ep
NCIS: Los Angeles
TV · as Lily Lockhart · 1 ep
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Movie · as Tika (voice)
The Circuit
Movie · as Kylie Shines
May All Your Christmases Be Black
Movie · as Self
Gossip Girl
TV · as Georgina Sparks · 28 eps
Black Christmas
Movie · as Melissa Kitt
Beautiful Ohio
Movie · as Sandra
The Hills
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Mysterious Skin
Movie · as Wendy Peterson
Ice Princess
Movie · as Casey Carlyle
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
Movie · as Carrie Beal
Weeds
TV · as Emma Karlin · 5 eps
Criminal Minds
TV · as Diane Turner · 2 eps
Robot Chicken
TV · as Gummy Bear / Wife / Woman (voice) · 1 ep
EuroTrip
Movie · as Jenny
House
TV · as Melinda Bardach · 1 ep
Best Week Ever
TV · 3 eps
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Punk'd
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Buffy's Back: The E! Original Special
Movie · as Self
Six Feet Under
TV · as Celeste · 4 eps
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
TV · as Lisa Willow Tyler · 1 ep
Truth or Scare
TV · as Self - Host · 20 eps
A Father's Choice
Movie · as Kelly McClain
Inspector Gadget
Movie · as Penny
Can't Be Heaven
Movie · as Julie
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
Movie · as Gloria
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TV · as Dawn Summers · 66 eps
The View
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Meego
TV · as Maggie Parker · 13 eps
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV · 1 ep
Figure It Out
TV · as Self · 2 eps
Harriet the Spy
Movie · as Harriet
A Holiday for Love
Movie · as Noelle Murphy
Blue's Clues
TV · 1 ep
Space Cases
TV · 1 ep
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
TV · as Self - Guest · 1 ep
Melissa
Movie · as Lena
MADtv
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV · as Self - Guest · 1 ep
Dave's World
TV · as Angela · 1 ep
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
TV · as Nona Mecklenberg · 14 eps
Clarissa Explains It All
TV · as Elsie Soaperstein · 1 ep
Law & Order
TV · as Dinah Driscoll (uncredited) · 1 ep
Reading Rainbow
TV · as Self - Narrator (voice) · 1 ep