(Gray News) – Tributes are pouring in for actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who died Wednesday at age 39.
Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. at a 51-story luxury apartment tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood where officers found Trachtenberg “unconscious and unresponsive,” according to an NYPD statement.
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected, and the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death, police said.
Trachtenberg was well-known for her roles in hit shows like “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” as well as films like 1996’s “Harriet the Spy” and Disney’s 2005 hit “Ice Princess.”
She also appeared in the 2004 teen sex comedy “EuroTrip” and co-starred with Zac Efron and Leslie Mann in 2009’s “17 Again.”
Fellow actors are mourning their friend and costar with tributes on social media.
Kim Cattrall, who played Trachtenberg’s figure skating coach in “Ice Princess,” shared a photo of the two on the film’s set, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle,” followed by a broken heart emoji.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” costar James Marsters wrote a heartfelt tribute on Instagram:
“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. My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who starred alongside a 10-year-old Trachtenberg in “Harriet the Spy,” said in a statement to US Weekly that the death is “heartbreaking.”
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” O’Donnell’s statement to US Weekly said.
Further context to that statement wasn’t provided, and officials have not announced a cause of death.
“Saturday Night Live” comedian Keenan Thompson shared the screen on Nickelodeon with Trachtenberg as children. Alongside an old video clip from the network, he wrote in an Instagram post, “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!”
Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.