Michelle Trachtenberg, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' star, dead at 39

American actor Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died at the age of 39, BBC reported.

New York police confirmed they responded to an emergency call in Manhattan on Wednesday morning and found Trachtenberg "unconscious and unresponsive". She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have said her death is not being treated as suspicious. "Criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing," the NYPD said in a statement.

Trachtenberg's family confirmed her passing in a statement, saying: "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss."

The actor first rose to prominence as a child actor, appearing in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy and several Nickelodeon productions, including The Adventures of Pete & Pete at age nine.

Her breakthrough role came in 2000 when she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the titular character. The role earned her critical recognition, and she was nominated for several acting awards, including a Daytime Emmy.

She later starred in films such as EuroTrip, Ice Princess, Killing Kennedy, and Sister Cities. However, she became widely recognised by a new generation of television audiences for her role as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, a character she first portrayed in 2008. She reprised the role briefly in HBO Max's 2023 reboot.

Her last major acting role was in 2021 as the host of the true-crime docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder, which aired on the digital streaming platform Tubi.

Tributes pour in

Many of Trachtenberg's former co-stars have paid tribute to the late actor, remembering her talent, warmth, and dedication to her craft.

Blake Lively, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Gossip Girl, said she gave her all to everything she did.

"She laughed the fullest at someone's joke... she cared deeply about her work, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself," Lively said. "The real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear."

David Boreanaz, who played Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, described the news as "so very sad" and "horrible".

James Marsters, who portrayed Spike in the series, remembered Trachtenberg as "fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person".

"She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her," he said.

Alyson Hannigan, another Buffy castmate, posted a series of photos on social media, saying that Trachtenberg "brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy".

US comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, described her passing as "heartbreaking".

"I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped," O'Donnell said.

In 2021, Trachtenberg publicly accused Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon of inappropriate behaviour on set. This came after her co-star Charisma Carpenter alleged mistreatment by Whedon, stating she had been left traumatised due to his actions.

Outside of acting, Trachtenberg largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, focusing on occasional television work. Her passing has left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a performer who made a lasting impression on both television and film.