Michelle Trachtenberg Dies: 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer,' 'EuroTrip' & 'Gossip Girl' Actress Was 39

[rogerballard]

Source: Deadline

Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress beloved by millennials for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Disney’s Ice Princess, Gossip Girl and more, has died at the age of 39, according to multiple reports from the likes of the New York Post and ABC News.

Per ABC News’ police sources, Trachtenberg was discovered by her mother at her New York City apartment shortly after 8 a.m. local time. She was said to have recently had a liver transplant.

Born in New York City on October 11, 1985, Trachtenberg was a lifelong actor who made her television debut in commercials at just three years old before landing a recurring role as Lily Montgomery on the long-running soap opera All My Children. She gained further recognition while starring in Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her role in Discovery children’s series Truth or Scare before landing her breakout feature lead as Harriet M. Welsch in the 1996 Paramount film Harriet the Spy, based on the classic children’s novel.

Read more: https://deadline.com/2025/02/michelle-trachtenberg-dead-gossip-girl-buffy-1236302469/

[Dr. Shepper]

1. So sad and hard to believe.

RIP

[maxsolomon]

2. She'd just had a Liver Transplant.

That's very sad. 39 is far too young.

[genxlib]

3. Heartbreaking

Too Young. Really enjoyed her in Buffy.

[LudwigPastorius]

4. Sounds like she may have had hepatitis.

RIP, Michelle.

[progressoid]

9. I just read cardiac arrest and then I read natural causes.

recently underwent a liver transplant and died of natural causes, according to the sources.

[FoggyLake]

5. So sad

RIP beautiful girl

[artemisia1]

6. What a shame. It's hard to believe that "Buffy" is over a quarter century old. Joss Whedon (director) apparently

sexually harassed Michelle and bullied the rest of staff.

[JoseBalow]

7. My first thought was an overdose, or maybe suicide

I hadn't heard about her health issues until someone mentioned them in this thread. Either way, 39 years old is sadly too young.

[SWBTATTReg]

8. Oh my gosh, so terribly sad, I liked the Vampire Slayer show a lot too.

[cstanleytech]

10. Damn!! Gotta wonder why the need for a transplant at such a young age.

[TexasBushwhacker]

14. I wondered that too

I know a friend of mine needs one because of damage from Hepatitis C. She's unlikely to qualify though, because her health is lousy aside from the liver damage.

[mcar]

11. So young

[Meowmee]

12. Terrible 🕯

[area51]

13. RIP