Michelle Trachtenbergis being remembered in a variety of memorial tributes. The actor, who has been working since the age of three, starred in a number of high-profile movies and television series, including the teen sports dramedyIce Princess, the children’s book adaptationHarriet the Spy, and the Nickelodeon seriesThe Adventures of Pete & Pete. She also joined theBuffy the Vampire Slayercastin season 5 as Buffy’s little sister Dawn Summers. Trachtenberg was found dead at the age of 39 on Wednesday morning in her New York City apartment.
Tributes to Michelle Trachtenberg have come pouring infrom across social media in the wake of news of her death. This includes posts from her fans, her friends, and her co-stars onBuffy the Vampire SlayerandIce Princess. See select tribute posts below:
Kim Cattrall, who played rink manager and coach Tina Harwood inIce Princess, called the news “heartbreaking,“saying “RIP Sweet Beauty.”
Melissa Joan Hartshared a clip of her performing with Trachtenberg on an episode of her seriesClarissa Explains It All, saying that"we got along wonderfully"and she was nothing like her bratty character.
Kenan Thompson, who also got his start on Nickelodeon,called Trachtenberg “our first Nick movie star.”
Trachtenberg’sA Holiday for Loveco-starMelissa Gilbertalso shared a tribute, saying"my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so…”
J. August Richards, who played Charles Gunn in theBuffyspinoffAngel, said"What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy…”
Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow onBuffy the Vampire Slayer, shared a gallery of images of the two of them, saying"she brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy."
Chace Crawford, who played Nate Archibald inGossip Girl, shared behind-the-scenes images with Trachtenberg and said that he is"remembering those years with a big smile."
Buffywriter and directorSteven DeKnightexpressed his condolences as well, while remembering Trachtenberg as"always such a ray of sunshine."
Rosie O’Donnell, who played Trachtenberg’s nanny inHarriet the Spy, gave a statement toEntertainment Weekly, saying that"I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped."
Several ofTrachtenberg’sBuffyco-stars have also shared tributes on their Instagram stories. James Marsters (Spike) shared an image of the two of them together, Emma Caulfield (Anya) said “I’m sorry your bright light died so young,” and David Boreanaz (Angel) said “RIP and prayers to her and her family.” See screenshots of those stories below:
Marsters also shared a statementwithPeople, in which he described Trachtenberg as “fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person.” Read his full statement below:
My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her. My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.
Trachtenberg’s formerGossip Girlco-star Blake Lively added her voice to the chorus with a tribute over Instagram (viaEW):
This is the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself. And she always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.
She was a kind person, through and through.
Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.
Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Legacy Spreads Far And Wide
Her Loss Is Felt In Every Corner Of Hollywood
The sheer amount of stars who have already paid tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg in the first few hours since the news broke speaks to the fact that she was both well-respected by her co-stars andhad a major impact across every corner of Hollywood, on both the big and small screens. The projects in which she had the opportunity to connect with co-stars, crews, and audiences are even more numerous than those that are already represented in these memorials, extending far beyondBuffy the Vampire Slayer’s Dawnand other similarly iconic roles.
Once she joined the cast, Trachtenberg continued to play Dawn onBuffyuntil the series ended with season 7.
Her iconic roles extend from her very first credited role as Nona Mecklenberg inThe Adventures of Pete & Peteto her final appearance in a 2023 episode of theGossip Girlreboot, in which shereprised her original role as dastardly socialite Georgina Sparks. Other notable movies and television shows in which she appeared include17 Again, 2006’sBlack Christmas,Weeds,Take Me Home Tonight,House,Mysterious Skin, andEuroTrip.
Michelle Trachtenberg Left A Lasting Mark
Her Tributes Are Far From Over
It seems certain that more and more tributes toMichelle Trachtenbergwill continue to be posted across social media for the foreseeable future and especially over the next week. This will help cement the iconic status of the actor andcontinue the celebration of the tremendous body of workthat she contributed to the industry during her three and a half decades as a performer.
Source: Various (see above),Entertainment Weekly, &People
