Michelle Trachtenberg
Acting
1985-10-11 · New York City, New York, USA
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.
Filmography
Spyral
2024 · Movie
Unicorn Boy
2023 · Movie
Meet, Marry, Murder
2021 · Series
Gossip Girl
2021 · Series
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
2021 · Series
Human Kind Of
2018 · Series
Sister Cities
2016 · Movie
The Christmas Gift
2015 · Movie
Guidance
2015 · Series
The Scribbler
2014 · Movie
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
2014 · Series
Killing Kennedy
2013 · Movie
Sleepy Hollow
2013 · Series
Hollywood Game Night
2013 · Series
Sexy Evil Genius
2013 · Movie
Love Bites
2011 · Series
Take Me Home Tonight
2011 · Movie
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection
2010 · Movie
Teenage Paparazzo
2010 · Movie
DC Showcase: Jonah Hex
2010 · Movie
Cop Out
2010 · Movie
Mercy
2009 · Series
NCIS: Los Angeles
2009 · Series
The Super Hero Squad Show
2009 · Series
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009 · Series
17 Again
2009 · Movie
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
2009 · Series
Against the Current
2009 · Movie
The Circuit
2008 · Movie
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight
2008 · Movie
Gossip Girl
2007 · Series
May All Your Christmases Be Black
2007 · Movie
Black Christmas
2006 · Movie
Beautiful Ohio
2006 · Movie
The Hills
2006 · Series
Criminal Minds
2005 · Series
Weeds
2005 · Series
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
2005 · Movie
Mysterious Skin
2005 · Movie
Ice Princess
2005 · Movie
Robot Chicken
2005 · Series
House
2004 · Series
EuroTrip
2004 · Movie
Best Week Ever
2004 · Series
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
2004 · Series
Punk'd
2003 · Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · Series
Truth or Scare
2001 · Series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001 · Series
Six Feet Under
2001 · Series
A Father's Choice
2000 · Movie
Can't Be Heaven
1999 · Movie
Inspector Gadget
1999 · Movie
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
1998 · Movie
The Wonderful World of Disney
1997 · Series
Meego
1997 · Series
The View
1997 · Series
Figure It Out
1997 · Series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
1997 · Series
A Holiday for Love
1996 · Movie
Blue's Clues
1996 · Series
Harriet the Spy
1996 · Movie
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996 · Series
Space Cases
1996 · Series
MADtv
1995 · Series
Melissa
1995 · Movie
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
1993 · Series
Dave's World
1993 · Series
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993 · Series
Clarissa Explains It All
1991 · Series
Law & Order
1990 · Series
Reading Rainbow
1983 · Series
The Hill
Movie