Michelle Trachtenberg is 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 dramedy Ice Princess, the children’s book adaptation Harriet the Spy, and the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She also joined the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast in 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 in from across social media in the wake of news of her death. This includes posts from her fans, her friends, and her co-stars on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ice Princess. See select tribute posts below:
Kim Cattrall, who played rink manager and coach Tina Harwood in Ice Princess, called the news “heartbreaking,” saying “RIP Sweet Beauty.“
Melissa Joan Hart shared a clip of her performing with Trachtenberg on an episode of her series Clarissa 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’s A Holiday for Love co-star Melissa Gilbert also 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 the Buffy spinoff Angel, said “What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy…“
Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow on Buffy 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 in Gossip Girl, shared behind-the-scenes images with Trachtenberg and said that he is “remembering those years with a big smile.”
Buffy writer and director Steven DeKnight expressed his condolences as well, while remembering Trachtenberg as “always such a ray of sunshine.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who played Trachtenberg’s nanny in Harriet the Spy, gave a statement to Entertainment Weekly, saying that “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.“
Several of Trachtenberg’s Buffy co-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 statement with People, 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.
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 and had 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 beyond Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Dawn and other similarly iconic roles.
Once she joined the cast, Trachtenberg continued to play Dawn on Buffy until the series ended with season 7.
Her iconic roles extend from her very first credited role as Nona Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete to her final appearance in a 2023 episode of the Gossip Girl reboot, in which she reprised her original role as dastardly socialite Georgina Sparks. Other notable movies and television shows in which she appeared include 17 Again, 2006’s Black Christmas, Weeds, Take Me Home Tonight, House, Mysterious Skin, and EuroTrip.
Michelle Trachtenberg Left A Lasting Mark
Her Tributes Are Far From Over
It seems certain that more and more tributes to Michelle Trachtenberg will 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 and continue the celebration of the tremendous body of work that she contributed to the industry during her three and a half decades as a performer.
Source: Various (see above), Entertainment Weekly, & People