Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Georgina in 'Gossip Girl', dead at 39

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg has died at the age of 39. The actress was found unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment on Wednesday morning. Police confirmed that she was pronounced dead at the scene, with no signs of foul play, Page Six reports.

In a statement shared with People, NYPD confirmed,

"Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected."

Michelle was best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, among others. She recently underwent a liver transplant and is believed to have died of natural causes. However, an official cause of death is yet to be determined by the medical examiner.

The news of her passing has left fans and colleagues mourning.

A look into Michelle Trachtenberg's career

Born on October 11, 1985, in New York City, Michelle Trachtenberg started her career early. By the age of 3, she was appearing in television commercials, and by 9, she had secured a role as Nona Mecklenberg on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

Her breakthrough came in 1996 when she played the title character in Harriet the Spy. This role is believed to be the role that introduced her to a wider audience. It made her one of the most known child stars of the time.

Michelle Trachtenberg later joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2000 as Dawn Summers. She was the younger sister of the titular character. She played the role until the show’s conclusion in 2003. Her portrayal of Dawn brought her a Teen Choice Award nomination.

In 2008, Michelle Trachtenberg took on Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. Many fans consider it one of her most beloved roles. She appeared throughout the series' original run and later reprised the role in HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot in 2022.

Michelle also appeared in films such as EuroTrip (2004), Ice Princess (2005), and 17 Again (2009).

Public concerns about her health struggles

In the months leading up to her passing, Michelle Trachtenberg’s social media presence sparked concern among fans. She had posted several photos on Instagram where she reportedly appeared thinner, which led to enthusiasts speculating about her health.

Some followers commented on her appearance, questioning whether she was facing medical issues. In response, she made an Instagram post, where she mentioned,

"I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters."

As the news of her death broke, fans weighed in on the Instagram post to express their thoughts. Here’s what some of them had to share:

"You are such a beautiful, beautiful soul, stunning. Rest in peace," wished a fan.

"My daughter loved this girl, she grew up watching her shows, so young so talented my condolences to the family," shared another.

"You fur babies will miss you so much," added a third.

Per reports, her family released a brief statement confirming her death and requesting privacy.

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