The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress renowned for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, who passed away at the age of 39.
She was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment on February 26, 2025. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected, and the cause of death remains undetermined following the family's request to forgo an autopsy.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who portrayed Buffy Summers alongside Trachtenberg's Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Gellar posted a series of photos accompanied by the message: "Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you."
Blake Lively, Trachtenberg's co-star from Gossip Girl, also expressed her sorrow. Lively described Trachtenberg as "electricity," recalling how "she was big and bold and distinctly herself."
Sharing a photo of herself and Michelle on Instagram Stories, Blake wrote, “This is the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.
"She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.
"And she always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.”
Michelle Trachtenberg began her acting career as a child, gaining prominence with roles in Harriet the Spy and later as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
She continued to captivate audiences with her portrayal of Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.
Her sudden passing has left a void in the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues alike mourning the loss of a talented actress and cherished friend.