Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," has died, according to the New York Post. She was 39.
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Trachtenberg was found at 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a luxury apartment building on Central Park South in New York City. Authorities said her death is not being investigated as suspicious.
In recent months, Trachtenberg posted troubling images on Instagram, where she had 800,000 followers. She appeared frail and gaunt, leading some fans to express concern about her weight loss or suggest she might be using drugs.
In response, the actress assured fans last January that she was "happy and healthy" and had never undergone plastic surgery.
Born on Oct. 11, 1985, in New York City, Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age of nine. Her first credited role came on the 1990s Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete and Pete," where she played the quirky Nona F. Mecklenberg.
Trachtenberg Makes Allegations
She went on to star in a series of family-friendly films and TV shows. That included her 1996 film debut as the title character in "Harriet the Spy." As an adult, Trachtenberg shifted to more mature roles, including her portrayal of Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy, in the hit TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She also played the manipulative Georgina Sparks on "Gossip Girl," which aired for six seasons.
In 2021, Trachtenberg made bombshell allegations against "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon, claiming he was physically abusive on set, as written by the Post. She said a rule was put in place to prevent him from being alone with her during filming. Trachtenberg shared these accusations in a cryptic Instagram post, drawing attention from both fans and industry peers.
On her 39th birthday last October, Trachtenberg posted a glamorous photo on Instagram with the caption, "39 and I'm feeling fiiiiiine," which received more than 32,000 likes and offered a glimpse into her spirit, despite news of her challenges in recent months.
Her death has shocked many in the entertainment world, as tributes from fans and colleagues continue to pour in.
