News of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death on Wednesday morning sent both fans and her fellow actors into shock. The actress, known for roles on Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more, died at age 39 at her home in New York City, police reported. Her rep confirmed her passing shortly after. While the cause of her death remains unknown, tributes promptly began pouring in online and on social media.
Trachtenberg’s last onscreen appearance was as Georgina Sparks, the beloved villain from Gossip Girl. She reprised the role in the Max reboot in 2022. She previously told Entertainment Tonight, “Georgina is actually my favorite character that I’ve played because she’s such an evil B-I-T-C-H. That was fun.”
Having risen to stardom as a young actor in the late ’90s and 2000s, her breakout role was as the titular young detective in Harriet the Spy. She also starred as Dawn Summers in Buffy and as math prodigy-turned-figure skater Casey Carlyle in Disney’s Ice Princess. With additional roles in films like Inspector Gadget and 17 Again, Trachtenberg has worked with a slew of Hollywood stars, from Sarah Michelle Gellar to Zac Efron to Rosie O’Donnell.
Read the tributes from her friends and former co-stars below.
Blake Lively, who starred as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, shared a touching tribute about Trachtenberg on her Instagram Story.
“This is the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself. And she always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.
“She was a kind person, through and through.
“Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.
“Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Chase Crawford, known for his role as Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, shared a slideshow of Trachtenberg on Instagram.
“Michelle was one of a kind,” he wrote. “I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you ❤️”
Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl, posted a photo of Trachtenberg on his Instagram Story. “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” he wrote. “Sending prayers.”
Kim Cattrall, who starred as Trachtenberg’s onscreen skating coach in Ice Princess, responded to the news on X (formerly Twitter). “This is Heartbreaking. So talented, much too young. RIP Sweet Beauty. xo,” she wrote.
She also shared an Instagram post, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle 💔”
Rosie O’Donnell, who shared the screen with Trachtenberg on Harriet the Spy, gave a statement to Us Weekly. “Heartbreaking,” she wrote. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
This story will be updated.