Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress who’s career spans from kids programming to horror movies to TV to teen comedies and more, passed away at age 39 today.
Trachtenberg was found dead Wednesday in a New York City apartment according to ABC News. She started her career as a child, appearing in commercials at age 3. She got her big break with the kids TV show The Adventures of Pete & Pete and then starred in Harriet The Spy in 1996. The world finally knew who she was due to her breakout role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Buffy’s sister Dawn. That was all before she turned 18.
From there she starred in films like EuroTrip, Black Christmas, 17 Again, Take Me Home Tonight, and was in the hit show Gossip Girl. She hadn’t been in much in recent years, but was in the revival of Gossip Girl in 2022.
Her career is defined by two sections, one for kids programming as a kid, and one for more adults and teens. She was instantly recognizable in whatever role she took and immediately drew attention from the 90s generation of kids that grew up watching her on Nickelodeon or wherever else.
According to ABC News, she recently underwent a liver transplant and may have been experiencing complications. Trachtenberg is believed to have died from natural causes and foul play is not suspected.
Join us in celebrating Michelle’s life and career.
RIP
Source: ABC News
