Michelle Trachtenberg, the Jewish actress best known for playing Dawn Summers in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Georgina Sparks in “Gossip Girl,” has died. The news was first reported by the New York Post, whose sources said that the 39-year-old was found dead this morning in her midtown Manhattan apartment. She was apparently recovering from a liver transplant at the time of her death, though a cause of death is unknown at this time.
May her memory be for a blessing.
Michelle Trachtenberg was born in New York City on Oct. 11, 1985 to Jewish immigrants from Germany and Russia. (The Jerusalem Post reported in 2013 that at least one set of her grandparents resided in Israel.) She grew up in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, nearby the Russian and Jewish enclave of Brighton Beach, before moving to Los Angeles at age 12 to pursue acting. While she didn’t speak too publicly about her Jewish identity, Michelle did share a photo of herself on social media celebrating Hanukkah in 2016. Following Oct. 7, 2023, she has also posted photos of herself wearing a Star of David, as well as a photo of a Mickey Mouse Hanukkah backpack with the caption “Please stop hatred towards the innocent.” She also seemed to connect with the Russian-Jewish heritage of her family, having grown up speaking Russian to communicate with her maternal grandparents.
Michelle began her career as a child actor, first in a 1991 episode of “Law & Order” and then in Nickelodeon shows like “Clarissa Explains It All” and the “Adventures of Pete & Pete.” Her first big break came at 10 years old when she was cast in the lead role in the 1996 movie “Harriet the Spy.” From there, Michelle found success in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” as well as the 2004 cult classic film “EuroTrip” and the 2005 Disney Channel original movie “Ice Princess.” Most recently, she had reprised her role of Georgina Sparks in the 2022 “Gossip Girl” reboot on Max and in the 2024 movie “Spyral.”
Though not too many celebrities have shared their tributes to Michelle yet, fellow Jewish child actor Mara Wilson shared a crushing sentiment on Instagram. “My heart is breaking for my childhood friend,” she said. “Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle.”
We wish refuah shleimah, a complete healing, to her family and loved ones. And thank you, Michelle, for filling so many of our childhoods with joy and Jewish representation.
