TV and movie star Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died on Wednesday. She was 39.
The New York Police Department confirmed to The New York Times that officers responded to a 911 call in the morning and discovered the young star unresponsive in a Manhattan apartment.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” Police said. “Criminality is not suspected.”
Emergency workers who responded to the call pronounced her dead at the scene.
Trachtenberg — who reportedly recently underwent a liver transplant — is believed to have died from natural causes, according to sources.
Michelle Trachtenberg dead at 39 — former ‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘Harriet the Spy’ star shared troubling posts https://t.co/mEMOXRRkNQ pic.twitter.com/8iOba8VrfA
— New York Post (@nypost) February 26, 2025
Her death is not being investigated as suspicious and a specific cause will be determined by the medical examiner.
Trachtenberg made headlines a year ago when she hit back at critics who expressed concern for the actress’ health, claiming she looked ill in pictures she posted, Page Six noted.
“Explain to me how I look sick,” the actress replied to one commenter. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
“I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy,” she added in another post. “Check yourself haters.”
The young star first got her big break when she landed the role of Harriet in the 1996 kids movie “Harriet the Spy,” alongside Rosie O’Donnell as her nanny, Ole Golly.
She also is known for her work in the other films like the 2005 children’s movie “Ice Princess” and the 2009 romantic comedy “17 Again,” which starred Zac Efron and Matthew Perry.
Following news of her death, tributes to her surfaced on social media.
O’Donnell — who previously worked with Trachtenberg — released a statement sharing regret that she wished she could’ve helped Michelle, without explaining further.
“Heartbreaking. I loved her very much,” O’Donnell wrote. “She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
The director of “Harriet the Spy,” Bronwen Hughes, said that, “Michelle was like a lightning bolt of a casting discovery. She had fire, she had spark, she had truth, and she had Harriet’s conviction, like her sense of self.”
“No one else came in the room like that,” she added. “So she had that acting gene that you can’t really teach. It’s innate, which is not something you find very often.”
Related: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ ‘Charmed’ Actress Shannen Doherty Dead At 53
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TV and movie star Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in “Gossip Girl” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died on Wednesday. She was 39.
The New York Police Department confirmed to The New York Times that officers responded to a 911 call in the morning and discovered the young star unresponsive in a Manhattan apartment.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” Police said. “Criminality is not suspected.”
Emergency workers who responded to the call pronounced her dead at the scene.
Trachtenberg — who reportedly recently underwent a liver transplant — is believed to have died from natural causes, according to sources.
Michelle Trachtenberg dead at 39 — former ‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘Harriet the Spy’ star shared troubling posts https://t.co/mEMOXRRkNQ pic.twitter.com/8iOba8VrfA
— New York Post (@nypost) February 26, 2025
Her death is not being investigated as suspicious and a specific cause will be determined by the medical examiner.
Trachtenberg made headlines a year ago when she hit back at critics who expressed concern for the actress’ health, claiming she looked ill in pictures she posted, Page Six noted.
“Explain to me how I look sick,” the actress replied to one commenter. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
“I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy,” she added in another post. “Check yourself haters.”
The young star first got her big break when she landed the role of Harriet in the 1996 kids movie “Harriet the Spy,” alongside Rosie O’Donnell as her nanny, Ole Golly.
She also is known for her work in the other films like the 2005 children’s movie “Ice Princess” and the 2009 romantic comedy “17 Again,” which starred Zac Efron and Matthew Perry.
Following news of her death, tributes to her surfaced on social media.
O’Donnell — who previously worked with Trachtenberg — released a statement sharing regret that she wished she could’ve helped Michelle, without explaining further.
“Heartbreaking. I loved her very much,” O’Donnell wrote. “She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
The director of “Harriet the Spy,” Bronwen Hughes, said that, “Michelle was like a lightning bolt of a casting discovery. She had fire, she had spark, she had truth, and she had Harriet’s conviction, like her sense of self.”
“No one else came in the room like that,” she added. “So she had that acting gene that you can’t really teach. It’s innate, which is not something you find very often.”
Related: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ ‘Charmed’ Actress Shannen Doherty Dead At 53
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