Michelle Trachtenberg, born on Oct. 11, 1985, was a Manhattan-born actress who started her career on Nickelodeon at only three years old. Trachtenberg went on to make a name for herself in movies and shows like ‘Harriet the Spy,’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ and more. On Feb. 26, 2025, she was found dead in her apartment. She was 39. Take a look back at her life and career on and off the screen.

275620 05: Talk show host Rosie O''Donnell embraces Michelle Trachtenberg at the premiere of "Harriet the Spy" July 9, 1996 in New York City. The film is based on the best-selling young people's novel about an eleven year-old girl who spies on her parents, neighbors and friends, detailing their comings and goings in her secret journal. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Liaison)
Evan Agostini/Liaison via Getty Images

Talk show host Rosie O’Donnell embraces Michelle Trachtenberg at the premiere of “Harriet the Spy” on July 9, 1996, in New York City. The film is based on the best-selling young people’s novel about an eleven-year-old girl who spies on her parents, neighbors and friends, detailing their comings and goings in her secret journal.

07/29/96 Rosie O''Donell and Michelle Trachtenberg star in the first Nickolodeon movie "Harriet the Spy"
Getty Images

Rosie O’Donnell and Michelle Trachtenberg star in the first Nickelodeon movie, “Harriet the Spy,” circa 1996.

Jim Carrey and Michelle Trachtenberg during 1997 Kid's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic, Inc

Jim Carrey and Michelle Trachtenberg pose during the 1997 Kid’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. on April 19, 1997.

Michelle Trachtenberg (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
SGranitz/WireImage

Michelle Trachtenberg poses at the world premiere of “Toy Story 2” on Nov. 13, 1999, at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

370100 10: Michelle Tractenberg as Dawn stars in 20th Century Fox's "Buffy The Vampire Slayer Year 5." (Photo by Online USA)
Online USA

Michelle Trachtenberg, as Dawn, stars in 20th Century Fox’s “Buffy The Vampire Slayer Year 5” circa 2000.

380823 03: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg arrives for the Seventh Annual Dream Halloween to Benefit Children Affected by AIDS foundation October 28, 2000 in Santa Monica, CA. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Newsmakers)
Frederick M. Brown/Newsmakers

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg arrives for the Seventh Annual Dream Halloween to Benefit Children Affected by AIDS Foundation on Oct. 28, 2000, in Santa Monica, Calif.

386763 14: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 2nd Annual Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards March 17, 2001 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Newsmakers)
Vince Bucci/Newsmakers

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 2nd Annual Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards on March 17, 2001, in Los Angeles, Calif.

397609 01: Actress Michelle Trachtenburg waves during the 70th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade November 25, 2001 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenburg waves during the 70th Anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade on Nov. 25, 2001, in Los Angeles, Calif.

James Marsters, Dean Valentine, Nicholas Brendon, Michelle Trachtenberg and Amber Benson at a screening of "Once More With Feeling", the musical episode of "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" at the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. Friday, November 2, 2001. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

(L-R) James Marsters, Dean Valentine, Nicholas Brendon, Michelle Trachtenberg and Amber Benson pose at a screening of “Once More With Feeling,” the musical episode of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” at the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday, Nov. 2, 2001.

Frankie Muniz and Michelle Trachtenburg at the Teen Choice Awards 2002 held at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca., August 4, 2002. (photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images/Fox)
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Frankie Muniz and Michelle Trachtenberg at the Teen Choice Awards 2002 held at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on Aug. 4, 2002.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 20: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, October 20, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 20, 2003, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

FILE - Actor Michelle Trachtenberg, left, who portrays Dawn, Buffy's sister Emmy, playfully spears series producer-creator Joss Whedon, during the taping of the final episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in Santa Monica, Calif., April 16, 2003. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Damian Dovarganes/AP

Actor Michelle Trachtenberg, left, who portrays Dawn, Buffy’s sister Emmy, playfully spears series producer-creator Joss Whedon, during the taping of the final episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 16, 2003.

NEW YORK - MAY 21: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg arrives at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall May 21, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Peter Kramer/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg arrives at the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall on May 21, 2004, in New York City.

PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 28: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg of the film "Mysterious Skin" poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival January 28, 2005 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, of the film “Mysterious Skin,” poses for portraits during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 28, 2005, in Park City, Utah.

PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 28: Director Gregg Araki and actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the party for "Mysterious Skin" at the Aquafina Lounge at the Gateway Office Business Center during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival on January 28, 2005 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Director Gregg Araki and actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the party for “Mysterious Skin” at the Aquafina Lounge at the Gateway Office Business Center during the 2005 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 28, 2005, in Park City, Utah.

NEW YORK - MARCH 15: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actress Michelle Trachtenberg appears onstage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios March 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Scott Gries/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg appears onstage during MTV’s Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on March 15, 2005, in New York City.

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg (L) and actress Kim Cattrall attend a special screening of HBO & Kim Cattrall's Documentary "Sexual Intelligence" on October 18, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg (L) and actress Kim Cattrall attend a special screening of HBO & Kim Cattrall’s Documentary “Sexual Intelligence” on Oct. 18, 2005, in New York City.

CULVER CITY, CA - DECEMBER 10: Singer Kelly Osbourne (L) and actress Michelle Trachtenberg attend Playstation BANDtogether, a benefit presented by Sony Computer Enterainment America and the Bruce Willis Foundation held at Smashbox Studios on December 10, 2005 in Culver City, California. PlayStation BANDtogether is a music and gaming festival, intended to raise money and awareness for Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, and to support ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Sony)
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Singer Kelly Osbourne (L) and actress Michelle Trachtenberg attend Playstation BANDtogether, a benefit presented by Sony Computer Enterainment America and the Bruce Willis Foundation held at Smashbox Studios on Dec. 10, 2005, in Culver City, Calif.

PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: (L-R) Actors Justin Kirk, Elizabeth Reaser, Michelle Trachtenberg, and director Peter Callahan attend the party for the screening of "Against The Current" held at Village at the Lift during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

(L-R) Actors Justin Kirk, Elizabeth Reaser, Michelle Trachtenberg, and director Peter Callahan attend the party for the screening of “Against The Current” held at Village at the Lift during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 18, 2009, in Park City, Utah.

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Actress Kristen Bell, actress Michelle Trachtenberg, actress Jessica Stroup, Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton attend the Jill Stuart Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Astor Hall at the New York Public Library on February 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for IMG)
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

(L-R) Actress Kristen Bell, actress Michelle Trachtenberg, actress Jessica Stroup, Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton attend the Jill Stuart Fall 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Astor Hall at the New York Public Library on Feb. 16, 2009, in New York City.

HOLLYWOOD - APRIL 14: (L-R) Actors Michelle Trachtenberg, Zac Efron, Leslie Mann and Matthew Perry arrive at the premiere of Warner Bros. "17 Again" held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 14, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

(L-R) Actors Michelle Trachtenberg, Zac Efron, Leslie Mann and Matthew Perry arrive at the premiere of Warner Bros. “17 Again” held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on April 14, 2009, in Hollywood, Calif.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the the "I Participate" launch with EIF and U.S. Mayors, Celebrities and Volunteers in New York City's Times Square to encourage Americans to volunteer at Duffy Square on September 10, 2009 in New York City. EIF, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, launches "I Participate," a multi-year campaign mobilizing the entertainment community to boost volunteerism. Centerpiece is a week-long television event, October 19th to 25th, when shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and other broadcast networks will spotlight service. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Entertainment Industry Foundation)
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg attends the the “I Participate” launch with EIF and U.S. Mayors, Celebrities and Volunteers in New York City’s Times Square to encourage Americans to volunteer at Duffy Square on Sept. 10, 2009 in New York City. EIF, the Entertainment Industry Foundation, launches “I Participate,” a multi-year campaign mobilizing the entertainment community to boost volunteerism. The centerpiece is a week-long television event, October 19th to 25th, when shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and other broadcast networks will spotlight the service.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Michelle Tractenberg attends Heidi Klum's 12th annual Halloween party at the PH-D Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown on October 31, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Michelle Tractenberg attends Heidi Klum’s 12th annual Halloween party at the PH-D Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown on Oct. 31, 2011, in New York City.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 31: Actors Alfred Molina and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the after party for the premiere of Lifetime's "Sister Cities" on August 31, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Actors Alfred Molina and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the after party for the premiere of Lifetime’s “Sister Cities” on Aug. 31, 2016, in Hollywood, Calif.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Michelle Trachtenberg attends Casamigos Halloween Party on October 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos Tequila)
Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg attends Casamigos Halloween Party on Oct. 27, 2017, in Los Angeles, Calif.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb, Neuro Drinks and Walmart on February 09, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF)
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg attends the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb, Neuro Drinks and Walmart on Feb. 09, 2020, in West Hollywood, Calif.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: Michelle Trachtenberg attends the Cadillac Oscar Week Celebration at Chateau Marmont on February 6, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Cadillac)
Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg attends the Cadillac Oscar Week Celebration at Chateau Marmont on Feb. 6, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Michelle Trachtenberg attends The Art Of Elysium's 13th Annual Celebration - Heaven at Hollywood Palladium on January 04, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg attends The Art Of Elysium’s 13th Annual Celebration – Heaven at Hollywood Palladium on Jan. 04, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif.

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