Former child star and beloved millennial actor Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” was found dead at her New York City home, police said Wednesday.
She was 39.
Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. at 1 Columbus Place, where “officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” according to an NYPD statement.
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. There is no foul play suspected and the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death, police said.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” according to a statement by the actor’s representative. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg appeared in 66 episodes of “Buffy” playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar between 2000 and 2003.
“Michelle touched a generation of television fans throughout her career, including in her unforgettable role as the independent and strong-willed Dawn Summers in ‘Buffy,’ ” according to a statement on Wednesday from 20th Century Fox Television, which produced “Buffy.”
“She brought depth, heart, and authenticity to every performance and will be remembered for her remarkable talent. Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends — she will be deeply missed. “
The beloved early 2000s show could be headed for a reboot.
Trachtenberg said she was always grateful for that role, writing to Gellar via social media in 2019: “You slayed too much to ever be anyone but Buffy. I’m happy to have been the chosen sister to your iconic role.”
The actor was also a fan favorite on 28 episodes of “Gossip Girl,” between 2008 and 2012, playing Georgina Sparks, a complicated frenemy to virtually all the show’s characters.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented,” according to a joint statement of “Gossip Girl” creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.
“Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
The conniving, manipulative Sparks stood in stark contrast to the role many younger millennials and older Gen Z movie fans know Trachtenberg for, from the 2005 movie “Ice Princess.”
In that teen classic, Trachtenberg played likable math prodigy Casey Carlyle, who uses her smarts to become an aspiring figure skater.
Kim Cattrall, who played rink owner and figure skater Tina Harwood in “Ice Princess,” posted a picture of herself and Trachtenberg from that movie.
Cattrall called Trachtenberg’s passing “heartbreaking” and added: “So talented, much too young. RIP Sweet Beauty.”
Trachtenberg’s first big break into Hollywood came in 1996, starring in the big screen adaptation of “Harriet the Spy.”
Trachtenberg took to social media in recent months to tell fans she was OK despite concerns that she appeared frail.
She sarcastically responded to one commenter: “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38.”
Her “Harriet the Spy” co-star Rosie O’Donnell also appeared to allude to Trachtenberg’s health in a statement, saying she “loved her very much.”
“She struggled the last few years,” according to O’Donnell. “I wish I could have helped.”
Trachtenberg was just 5 when she got her union card in 1990, according to the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
“We are saddened to learn of Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing,” SAG-AFTRA said.
Melissa Joan Hart, another child star of the era, posted a video clip of her and a very young Trachtenberg from the former’s “Clarissa Explains It All.” Trachtenberg played a difficult babysitting client, but Hart said her younger peer was totally opposite in real life.
“I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare,” Hart wrote. “But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”
