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Actor Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her starring roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and many more, has died at the age of 39.
Trachtenberg, who starred in a myriad of 90s and 2000s TV shows and movies, was reportedly found dead in her New York City apartment near Central Park.
Her cause of death is not yet known, though police are not treating it as suspicious, sources told the New York Post.
The actor’s untimely death has sent shockwaves among millennials, who grew up watching her in several iconic titles, including the 2005 sports movie Ice Princess, the 1996 family comedy Harriet the Spy and the 2009 Zac Efron-led comedy fantasy 17 Again.
Trachtenberg’s former co-stars, including Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) and Rosie O’Donnell (Harriet the Spy), have reacted to the “heartbreaking” news of her passing.
Rosie O’Donnell claims Trachtenberg ‘struggled’ before her death
Rosie O’Donnell, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in the 1996 family comedy Harriet the Spy, has shared a statement with US Weekly.
Calling Trachtenberg’s death “heartbreaking,” O’Donnell said: “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish could have helped.”
Trachtenberg was only 10 years old when she starred in Harriet the Spy. Her role as the titular school-age wannabe spy marked her movie acting debut.
O’Donnell portrayed Ole Golly, Harriet’s whimsical nanny.
Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick ‘saddened’ by death of former co-star
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick has reacted to the news of her untimely passing.
Westwick, 37, who starred as Chuck Bass in the seminal teen drama, shared an old picture of Trachtenberg in costume as her Gossip Girl character Georgina Sparks to his Instagram Story.
“So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers [praying hands and white heart emoji],” he wrote.
Inga Parkel26 February 2025 19:22
Michelle Trachtenberg sparked health concerns last year
In January 2024, Michelle Trachtenberg posted a selfie on Instagram, prompting widespread concern among fans about her health.
“These kids….now adults getting our roots/hair done! Love this girl,” she wrote in the caption of the post, alongside a picture of her and Spy Kids star Alexa PenaVega at the salon.
Afterward, the comment section was bombarded with users questioning her appearance. “Michelle you look sick. Are you okay?” one asked.
“Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment,” she responded at the time.
In a later post, she assured fans that she was “happy and healthy.”
‘Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realise I’m not 14. I’m 38,’ actor wrote on Instagram
Inga Parkel26 February 2025 19:07
Michelle Trachtenberg’s latest Instagram activity before her death
In the weeks leading up to her death, Trachtenberg reminisced about some of her favorite red carpet looks on Instagram.
Her final post — made a week before her death — was an old photo of her at the 2013 premiere of National Geographic Channel’s Killing Kennedy, in which she starred as Marina Oswald.
“I wanted to look like naughty,” she wrote in the caption.
Michelle Trachtenberg cause of death
The NYPD has confirmed the Gossip Girl star was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her New York City Wednesday morning by police and pronounced dead by EMS workers.
Trachtenberg’s cause of death is not yet known, though police are not treating it as suspicious.
According to the New York Post, Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant.
Inga Parkel26 February 2025 18:22
Michelle Trachtenberg dead: Ice Princess and Gossip Girl actor was 39
Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg has died at 39-years-old, according to reports.
News of the actor’s death broke on Wednesday. She was known for various movie and television appearances throughout the 90s and early 2000s.
According to police sources who spoke to The New York Post, Trachtenberg’s cause of death is not currently known, but is not being investigated as suspicious.
The actor’s cause of death is not yet known
Inga Parkel26 February 2025 18:10