Michelle Trachtenberg, widely known for her stand-out roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead in New York aged 39.
The actor, who rose to prominence in the early 2000s, was found ‘unresponsive’ in a New York apartment.
According to a NYPD statement, police responded to a 911 call around 8am local time at a luxury residential tower. When officers arrived, they “observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive.”
She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
No foul play was suspected, with police confirming the New York Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of her death.
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The daughter of Jewish immigrants, Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age of three in commercials before starring in the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
At the age of 10, Michelle made her big break with her role in hit movie Harriet the Spy.
Multiple Hollywood stars have taken to social media to mourn the loss of the actor. ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ co-star David Boreanaz, also known for his roles in Angel and Bones, labelled her passing as “horrible news.” Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Trachtenberg in the 1996 film “A Holiday for Love,” wrote on Instagram; “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so.”
During her career, Michelle was nominated for multiple awards. In 2012, she received a nomination for TV villain at the Teen Choice Awards for her recurring role as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. She also received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2001 for hosting Discovery’s “Truth or Scare.”
Michelle recently returned to her role as Georgina Sparks for a number of guest appearances in the 2021 Gossip Girl revival.
In a statement, Michelle’s representative, Gary Mantoosh said “the family requests privacy for their loss.”