On 26 February, it was announced that Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer starMichelle Trachtenberg had died at the age of 39. The cause of her death has not been confirmed, but it is not being treated as suspicious.
Police in Manhattan said they responded to an emergency call on Wednesday morning and found Trachtenberg 'unconscious and unresponsive'. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trachtenberg was nine years old when she first started acting in the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete, but her breakout role was in Harriet the Spy in 1996. She later became known for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer's younger sister Dawn Summers, and the Gossip Girl socialite Georgina Sparks.
Several of her famous friends and former co-stars have paid tribute to her following the news of her death. Blake Lively, a Gossip Girl co-star, said she was 'blindsided' to hear of Trachtenberg's death.
'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,' she wrote on social media. 'The real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear.'
US comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, said her death was 'heartbreaking'. 'I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.'
Another Gossip Girl co-star Taylor Momsen wrote, 'When I met this girl 17 years ago I knew we’d be friends... she was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as fuck and filled with fire. She was simply awesome. I’ll miss our late night calls.
'You were a true friend to me which is a rarity in this world and I can’t believe I won’t hear your voice again... I hope you’re f*cking up heaven for both of us.'
Josh Safran, a writer and producer on the hit teen drama, said it was 'an honour and joy to write for Michelle for so many years', as she had a 'clear voice' as an actor.
'You heard her as you typed,' he wrote. 'You knew she'd make each line rougher, more real, much funnier - and that made the writing better.'
Apparently the actress had recently undergone a liver transplant, though this was not confirmed by her personally, and in January she responded to internet trolls who accused her of 'looking ill'. 'Fun fact. This is my face,' she captioned a post. 'Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.' In a third post she added, 'I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.'
James Marsters, who worked with Trachtenberg on Buffy the Vampire, shared a picture with her on Instagram and wrote, 'My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was 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.'
Emma Caulfield, who starred as Anya Jenkins in the supernatural drama, echoed his sentiment and said the cast had 'lost a little sister' in a post shared to her Instagram story where she referred to the actress as 'Mish Mish'. 'I’m so sorry your bright light died so young. Our Buffy family lost a little sister today.'
Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Ice Princess, shared a photo of them together on set on Instagram and wrote, 'Rest in peace sweet Michelle' with a heart emoji.
While Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, posted the news on his Instagram story with the caption, 'So sad to here of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg, sending prayers.'
Earlier this month, Trachtenberg's Buffy co-star Sara Michelle Gellar announced in a social media post that she is 'on the path' to reviving the show, alongside a team of 'four unbelievably talented women'.
Tratchenberg's impact in pop culture, particularly for millennial women who grew up watching her on their favourite teen shows, cannot be overstated. As well as her former co-stars and colleagues, there has been in influx of tributes from fans too.
Internet personality Tefi Pessoa shared a statement on Instagram where she recalled seeing Harriet the Spy in theatres 'like millions and millions of little girls' and became 'obsessed' over Harriet. 'She was bold, an observer, a kid who told the truth even when it got her into trouble. Every movie I watched had polished and perfect little girls who wanted to be seen for being pretty and likeable rather than real. Harriet was so real to me.
'Michelle brought Harriet to life. And because of her, so many of us felt like we could be Harriet too. Her loss is devastating, but her legacy – especially through Harriet the Spy for me – will keep inspiring the kids.'
Another fan paid tribute on X by posting, 'You might’ve known her from Buffy and Gossip Girl, but I always knew Michelle Trachtenberg as Nona F. Mecklenberg from The Adventures of Pete and Pete as a little girl, there was no one i wanted to be more than Nona, the weirdest kid and most loyal friend around. RIP.'
'Michelle Trachtenberg thank you for giving us one of the most iconic female characters of all times,' read another social media post. 'Gossip Girl would've been nothing without you.'
Actor and writer Emmy Potter agrees. 'The death of Michelle Trachtenberg, a generational touchstone star for us Millennials, is hitting me like a ton of bricks right now. Unbelievably sad. 39 is way, way, way too young,' she wrote on X. Adding, 'HARRIET THE SPY? Foundational text for a lot of us! One of THE great onscreen kid performances. Period. That was because of Michelle.'