Star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl passes away at 39.

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who became famous as a child star in the 1990s and 2000s, sadly passed away at the age of 39. Early Wednesday morning, police in Manhattan responded to an emergency call and found her unconscious and unresponsive. Unfortunately, she was declared dead at the scene.

Michelle is best remembered for her role as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy, in the beloved TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” As an adult, she played the role of Georgina Sparks, a manipulative socialite, in the popular series “Gossip Girl,” which aired from 2007 to 2012. Her film career began with her debut in “Harriet the Spy” in 1996, and she also starred in several productions on Nickelodeon.

Representatives for Michelle’s family confirmed her death, expressing their deep sadness and asking for privacy during this difficult time. Authorities stated that there are no suspicions of foul play regarding her death, and the medical examiner will determine the exact cause. The police are continuing their investigation.

Michelle began her acting journey at just nine years old in the Nickelodeon series “The Adventures of Pete & Pete.” In the early 2000s, she received multiple nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award, for her performance in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Apart from her TV roles, she starred in various films like “EuroTrip,” “Ice Princess,” “Killing Kennedy,” and “Sister Cities.”

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, who acted alongside Michelle in “Harriet the Spy,” shared her heartbreak over Michelle’s passing, expressing how much she cared for her and lamenting the challenges Michelle faced in recent years. Many of Michelle’s former castmates also took to social media to pay tribute. Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass on “Gossip Girl,” posted a picture of Michelle as Georgina Sparks, expressing his sadness and sending prayers. David Boreanaz, another actor from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” shared similar feelings on Instagram, saying he was devastated by the news.

James Marsters, another cast member from “Buffy,” praised Michelle, describing her as “fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and very talented.” He sadly noted that she passed away much too young, leaving behind many who loved her.

Michelle initially appeared in “Gossip Girl” in 2008 and made a return to the character in two episodes of the show’s reboot on HBO Max in 2023. Her last major role was in 2021, where she hosted a true-crime docuseries titled “Meet, Marry, Murder,” available on the streaming platform Tubi.

In 2021, Michelle made headlines when she accused the creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Joss Whedon, of inappropriate behavior on set. This came after her co-star Charisma Carpenter spoke out about her traumatic experiences with Whedon.

Overall, the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg has left her fans, friends, and family in sorrow, remembering her not just for her work on screen but also for the joy she brought to many during her life.