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