Michelle Trachtenberg's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg in 1999 (left) and 2020.Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Hollywood has lost a bright star.

On Feb. 26, news broke that former child starMichelle Trachtenberghaddied. The NYPD confirmed to PEOPLE that police responded to a 911 call made from 1 Columbus Place in New York City around 8:00 a.m. “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.”

TheNew York Postwas first to report the news.

As fans andloved ones mournthe loss of Michelle Trachtenberg, look back at her life in photos.

01of 12Michelle Trachtenberg’s ChildhoodMichelle Trachtenberg/InstagramMichelle Christine Trachtenberg was born on Oct. 11, 1985, in New York City to Michael and Lana Trachtenberg. She had an older sister, Irene, and attended middle school in Brooklyn before moving to Sherman Oaks, California, to go to Notre Dame High School.

01of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg’s Childhood

Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

Michelle Christine Trachtenberg was born on Oct. 11, 1985, in New York City to Michael and Lana Trachtenberg. She had an older sister, Irene, and attended middle school in Brooklyn before moving to Sherman Oaks, California, to go to Notre Dame High School.

02of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg Does Commercials as a Child

Michelle Trachtenberg in a Playskool commercial.Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

She began her professional career at an early age, appearing in her first commercial at 3 years old for Wisk detergent. Trachtenberg went on to appear in over 100 commercials before landing her first television role inLaw & Order.

03of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘The Adventures of Pete and Pete’

Danny Tamborelli and Michelle Trachtenberg on the set of ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’.Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

In August 2015, she reminisced about the “show that was way ahead of its time” and its “bad ass guest stars,” includingSteve Buscemi,Debbie HarryandLL Cool J.

“I still have that compass necklace. #funfact,” she revealed onInstagram.

04of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘Harriet the Spy’

Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘Harriet the Spy’.Rafy/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Rafy/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

She leftThe Adventures of Pete & Petein 1996 to play the title role inHarriet the SpyoppositeRosie O’Donnell. The comedy film was her feature film debut, portraying a sixth-grader who wants to be a writer and spy.

Reflecting on the film in 2015, she recalled how the pants she wore in the film “were already too short” amid her growth spurt, but they “made it work.”

Also in 2015, she shared a look back at a behind-the-scenes moment with O’Donnell.

05of 12Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’Online USA/GettyIn 2000, she joined the hit supernatural dramaBuffy the Vampire Slayerfor its fifth season, starring as the younger sister ofSarah Michelle Gellar’s title character. She was close with her on-screen sister, posting a throwback photo in 2023 of the duo from Trachtenberg’s “sweet 16th” birthday.When former castmateCharisma Carpenteralleged in 2021 that creatorJoss Whedoncreated a toxic work environment, Trachtenbergsupported Gellar’s statementabout standing with“all survivors of abuse.”(Whedon has addressed the claims but denied abuse.)Resharing Gellar’s poston her own account, Trachtenberg wrote, “I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman….To repost this. Because. This must. Be known. As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior….very. Not. Appropriate. So now. People know. What Joss. Did.”

05of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

Online USA/Getty

In 2000, she joined the hit supernatural dramaBuffy the Vampire Slayerfor its fifth season, starring as the younger sister ofSarah Michelle Gellar’s title character. She was close with her on-screen sister, posting a throwback photo in 2023 of the duo from Trachtenberg’s “sweet 16th” birthday.

When former castmateCharisma Carpenteralleged in 2021 that creatorJoss Whedoncreated a toxic work environment, Trachtenbergsupported Gellar’s statementabout standing with“all survivors of abuse.”(Whedon has addressed the claims but denied abuse.)

Resharing Gellar’s poston her own account, Trachtenberg wrote, “I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman….To repost this. Because. This must. Be known. As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior….very. Not. Appropriate. So now. People know. What Joss. Did.”

06of 12’EuroTrip’SGranitz/WireImageIn 2004 Trachtenberg starred in teen comedyEuroTrip,alongside Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, Jessica Boehrs,Matt Damonand Kristin Kreuk, and it marked a departure from her child star image.One bikini scene in particular was meant to help her shed that “little sister” reputation. “It was a little stressful. It was the first time that I’ve ever taken off that much clothing — on screen, I mean. But it was such a funny situation,” she toldEntertainment Weeklyback in 2004.In 2015, she shared a cute throwback from the premiere, featuringKelly Osbourne. “#tbtto the premiere of#Eurotrip, twelve years ago when I was 18, and my girl@kellyosbournecame to surprise me and watch this crazy movie,” she wrote.“I don’t know what’s more shocking to me, the fact that I’m smiling or that I’m wearing a color other than black. 😳” she joked.

06of 12

‘EuroTrip’

SGranitz/WireImage

In 2004 Trachtenberg starred in teen comedyEuroTrip,alongside Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, Jessica Boehrs,Matt Damonand Kristin Kreuk, and it marked a departure from her child star image.

One bikini scene in particular was meant to help her shed that “little sister” reputation. “It was a little stressful. It was the first time that I’ve ever taken off that much clothing — on screen, I mean. But it was such a funny situation,” she toldEntertainment Weeklyback in 2004.

In 2015, she shared a cute throwback from the premiere, featuringKelly Osbourne. “#tbtto the premiere of#Eurotrip, twelve years ago when I was 18, and my girl@kellyosbournecame to surprise me and watch this crazy movie,” she wrote.

“I don’t know what’s more shocking to me, the fact that I’m smiling or that I’m wearing a color other than black. 😳” she joked.

07of 12’Gossip Girl’Giovanni Rufino / The CWTrachtenberg entered her villain era when she snagged the role of the conniving, manipulative and never-to-be-trusted Georgina Sparks on The CW’sGossipGirl.She first appeared on the show in the season 3 finale and would become a recurring character until the show’s end in 2012.

07of 12

‘Gossip Girl’

Giovanni Rufino / The CW

Trachtenberg entered her villain era when she snagged the role of the conniving, manipulative and never-to-be-trusted Georgina Sparks on The CW’sGossipGirl.She first appeared on the show in the season 3 finale and would become a recurring character until the show’s end in 2012.

08of 12'17 Again’Offspring Ent/Kobal/ShutterstockOn the silver screen, Trachtenberg showcased her comedy chops alongsideZac EfronandMatthew Perryin 2009’s17 Again.“I really only do what I feel I can do the most in. I pick characters that I feel I can bring something to,” she saidwhile at the film’s premiere. “I’d never want to play anything that I don’t think I can make more exciting, so this was a fool-proof situation to walk into. It was great.”

08of 12

‘17 Again’

Offspring Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

On the silver screen, Trachtenberg showcased her comedy chops alongsideZac EfronandMatthew Perryin 2009’s17 Again.“I really only do what I feel I can do the most in. I pick characters that I feel I can bring something to,” she saidwhile at the film’s premiere. “I’d never want to play anything that I don’t think I can make more exciting, so this was a fool-proof situation to walk into. It was great.”

09of 12Michelle Trachtenberg on the Social SceneJamie McCarthy/WireImageA true New Yorker, Trachtenberg enjoyed the fashion and party scene the Big Apple had to offer — sans all the drama herGossip Girlcharacter often brought to the table, of course. The actress was often spotted sitting front row with pals at fashion shows for brands such as Rebecca Taylor, Badgley Mischka,Rebecca Minkoffand more.

09of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg on the Social Scene

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

A true New Yorker, Trachtenberg enjoyed the fashion and party scene the Big Apple had to offer — sans all the drama herGossip Girlcharacter often brought to the table, of course. The actress was often spotted sitting front row with pals at fashion shows for brands such as Rebecca Taylor, Badgley Mischka,Rebecca Minkoffand more.

10of 12Relationships in the Public EyeMichelle Trachtenberg/InstagramWith an acting career that spanned more than two decades, it’s normal that Trachtenberg would find love in other entertainers. One of her more high-profile relationships was withFall Out Boy’sPete Wentzwhom she dated back in 2006. She was alsopreviously linkedtoJosh Grobanin 2011 and though the pair never confirmed their relationship, tweets from 2014 showed they were on good terms.Before her death, Trachtenberg was in a long-term relationship with talent agentJay Cohen, whom she’d been seeing since 2020.

10of 12

Relationships in the Public Eye

With an acting career that spanned more than two decades, it’s normal that Trachtenberg would find love in other entertainers. One of her more high-profile relationships was withFall Out Boy’sPete Wentzwhom she dated back in 2006. She was alsopreviously linkedtoJosh Grobanin 2011 and though the pair never confirmed their relationship, tweets from 2014 showed they were on good terms.

Before her death, Trachtenberg was in a long-term relationship with talent agentJay Cohen, whom she’d been seeing since 2020.

11of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg’s Final Days

Michelle Trachtenberg in January 2025.Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

In recent years, it appears theBuffyalum found joy in posting throwback photos, snapping selfies and her adorable catMister Martini.

In 2024, the actressclapped backat people who had been speculating about her appearance.

“Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar,” the actress captioned one of her selfies.

12of 12Michelle Trachtenberg Dies at 39Michelle Trachtenberg in January 2020.Randy Shropshire/GettyOn Feb. 26,The New York Postwas first to report that Michelle Trachtenberg had died. Police responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City around 8:00 a.m. and “upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,”  the NYPD confirmed to PEOPLE. “EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased.Criminality is not suspected.“Trachtenberg’s last credited role was in 2023, once again playing Georgina Sparks on Max’sGossip Girlreboot.

12of 12

Michelle Trachtenberg Dies at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg in January 2020.Randy Shropshire/Getty

Randy Shropshire/Getty

On Feb. 26,The New York Postwas first to report that Michelle Trachtenberg had died. Police responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City around 8:00 a.m. and “upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,”  the NYPD confirmed to PEOPLE. “EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased.Criminality is not suspected.”

Trachtenberg’s last credited role was in 2023, once again playing Georgina Sparks on Max’sGossip Girlreboot.

source: people.com