Michelle Trachtenberg
Born: 1985-10-11 in New York City, New York, USA
Died: 2025-02-26
Known For: Acting
Biography
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
2024
- Spyral as Michelle Cody White (voice)
2023
- Unicorn Boy as Violet (voice)
2021
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune as Self - Contestant
- Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks
- Meet, Marry, Murder as Self - Host
2018
- Human Kind Of as Judy (voice)
2016
- Sister Cities as Dallas Baxter
2015
- Guidance as Anna
- The Christmas Gift as Megan
2014
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as Voice Over (voice)
- The Scribbler as Alice
2013
- Sleepy Hollow as Abigail Adams
- Hollywood Game Night as Self
- Sexy Evil Genius as Miranda Prague
- Killing Kennedy as Marina Oswald
2011
- Love Bites as Jodie
- Take Me Home Tonight as Ashley
2010
- Cop Out as Ava
- Teenage Paparazzo as Self (uncredited)
- DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection as Bar Girl (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
- DC Showcase: Jonah Hex as Bar Girl (voice)
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- NCIS: Los Angeles as Lily Lockhart
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as Self
- The Super Hero Squad Show as Valkyrie
- 17 Again as Maggie O'Donnell
- Mercy as Chloe Payne
- Against the Current as Suzanne
2008
- Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight as Tika (voice)
- The Circuit as Kylie Shines
2007
- Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks
- May All Your Christmases Be Black as Self
2006
- The Hills as Self
- Black Christmas as Melissa Kitt
- Beautiful Ohio as Sandra
2005
- Criminal Minds as Diane Turner
- Robot Chicken as Gummy Bear / Wife / Woman (voice)
- Weeds as Emma Karlin
- Ice Princess as Casey Carlyle
- Mysterious Skin as Wendy Peterson
- The Dive from Clausen's Pier as Carrie Beal
2004
- House as Melinda Bardach
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest as Self
- Best Week Ever
- EuroTrip as Jenny
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- Punk'd as Self
2001
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Lisa Willow Tyler
- Six Feet Under as Celeste
- Truth or Scare as Self - Host
2000
- A Father's Choice as Kelly McClain
1999
- Inspector Gadget as Penny
- Can't Be Heaven as Julie
1998
- Richie Rich's Christmas Wish as Gloria
1997
- The View as Self
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers
- The Wonderful World of Disney
- Figure It Out as Self
- Meego as Maggie Parker
1996
- Blue's Clues
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self - Guest
- Space Cases
- Harriet the Spy as Harriet
- A Holiday for Love as Noelle Murphy
1993
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- Dave's World as Angela
- The Adventures of Pete & Pete as Nona Mecklenberg
1991
- Clarissa Explains It All as Elsie Soaperstein
1990
- Law & Order as Dinah Driscoll (uncredited)
1983
- Reading Rainbow as Self - Narrator (voice)