Michelle Trachtenberg
Known for: Acting
Michelle Christine Trachtenberg (October 11, 1985 – February 26, 2025) was an American actress who achieved widespread recognition as both a child star and a prominent television and film performer. Beginning her career at the age of three in television commercials, she landed her first major credited television role in Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994–1996) and transitioned to the big screen with the title role in the 1996 family comedy Harriet the Spy. Trachtenberg rose to international prominence as a teenager and young adult through iconic television and film projects. She is best known for portraying Dawn Summers in the fantasy drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003) and playing the memorable villain Georgina Sparks on the CW teen drama series Gossip Girl (2008–2012). Her diverse film credits also include the comedies EuroTrip (2004) and 17 Again (2009), as well as the Disney ice skating film Ice Princess (2005). On February 26, 2025, Trachtenberg was found dead at the age of 39 in her New York City apartment. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner later announced that she died from natural causes resulting from complications of diabetes mellitus.
Filmography
Series
House
Melinda Bardach
2004
Series
Criminal Minds
Diane Turner
2005
Series
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
Series
Law & Order
Dinah Driscoll (uncredited)
1990
Series
The View
Self
1997
Series
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self
2003
Series
NCIS: Los Angeles
Lily Lockhart
2009
Series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Lisa Willow Tyler
2001
Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Voice Over (voice)
2014
Series
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
Series
Gossip Girl
Georgina Sparks
2007
Series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Dawn Summers
1997
Series
Robot Chicken
Gummy Bear / Wife / Woman (voice)
2005
Series
Weeds
Emma Karlin
2005
Series
Six Feet Under
Celeste
2001
Series
Sleepy Hollow
Abigail Adams
2013
Series
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Self
2009
Series
Blue's Clues
1996
Series
Punk'd
Self
2003
Series
Reading Rainbow
Self - Narrator (voice)
1983
Series
The Wonderful World of Disney
1997
Series
Best Week Ever
2004
Series
The Super Hero Squad Show
Valkyrie (voice)
2009
Series
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Self - Contestant
2021
Series
Dave's World
Angela
1993
Series
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
Self
2004
Series
The Hills
Self
2006
Series
The Adventures of Pete & Pete
Nona Mecklenberg
1993
Series
Figure It Out
Self
1997
Series
Hollywood Game Night
Self
2013
Series
Gossip Girl
Georgina Sparks
2021
Series
Clarissa Explains It All
Elsie Soaperstein
1991
Series
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Self - Guest
1996
Film
EuroTrip
Jenny
2004
Series
Guidance
Anna
2015
Film
17 Again
Maggie O'Donnell
2009
Series
Mercy
Chloe Payne
2009
Film
Mysterious Skin
Wendy Peterson
2005
Series
Space Cases
1996
Series
Love Bites
Jodie
2011
Film
Inspector Gadget
Penny
1999
Film
Cop Out
Ava
2010
Film
Ice Princess
Casey Carlyle
2005
Film
Black Christmas
Melissa Kitt
2006
Series
MADtv
Self
1995
Film
Take Me Home Tonight
Ashley
2011
Meego
Maggie Parker
1997
Film
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish
Gloria
1998
Series
Human Kind Of
Judy (voice)
2018
Film
Harriet the Spy
Harriet
1996
Film
The Scribbler
Alice
2014
Film
Teenage Paparazzo
Self (uncredited)
2010
Series
Meet, Marry, Murder
Self - Host
2021
Film
DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection
Bar Girl (segment "Jonah Hex") (voice)
2010
Series
Truth or Scare
Self - Host
2001
Film
DC Showcase: Jonah Hex
Bar Girl (voice)
2010
Film
Killing Kennedy
Marina Oswald
2013
Film
Sister Cities
Dallas Baxter
2016
Film
Can't Be Heaven
Julie
1999
Film
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Tika (voice)
2008
Film
Unicorn Boy
Violet (voice)
2023
Film
A Holiday for Love
Noelle Murphy
1996
Film
A Father's Choice
Kelly McClain
2000
Film
The Christmas Gift
Megan
2015
Film
Against the Current
Suzanne
2009
Film
The Circuit
Kylie Shines
2008
Film
Sexy Evil Genius
Miranda Prague
2013
Film
Beautiful Ohio
Sandra
2006
Film
The Hill
Maggie Rogers
Film
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
Carrie Beal
2005
Film
May All Your Christmases Be Black
Self
2007
Film
Buffy's Back: The E! Original Special
Self
2001
Film
Melissa
Lena
1995
Film
Spyral
Michelle Cody White (voice)
2024