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IMDbPro

Michelle Trachtenberg(1985-2025)

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000203
Michelle Trachtenberg
IMDb remembers star Michelle Trachtenberg (1985-2025) by looking back at some of her iconic roles, including "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," 'Harriet the Spy,' "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 'EuroTrip,' and "Gossip Girl."
Play clip0:39
Michelle Trachtenberg Through the Years
25 Videos
99+ Photos
Trachtenberg grew up in Brooklyn and started her acting career young; she began appearing in commercials at the age of 3.

She continued to act and dance through her school years, making regular television appearances from the age of 10. She landed a recurring role in the kids' TV show The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1992) and starred in Harriet the Spy (1996), but it was her role as Buffy's sister Dawn from the fifth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) that really brought her to worldwide attention, and all before she was 18 years old.

More high profile TV and movie work followed.
BornOctober 11, 1985
DiedFebruary 26, 2025(39)
BornOctober 11, 1985
DiedFebruary 26, 2025(39)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000203
  • Awards
    • 5 wins & 10 nominations total

Remembering Michelle Trachtenberg | 1985-2025

Remembering Michelle Trachtenberg | 1985-2025

We celebrate the life and career of Michelle Trachtenberg, star of Harriet the Spy, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and "Gossip Girl."
See the gallery
Production art
Photos

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Known for

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
8.3
TV Series
  • Dawn Summers
Matthew Broderick and Rupert Everett in Inspector Gadget (1999)
Inspector Gadget
4.2
  • Penny
  • 1999
Michelle Trachtenberg in Ice Princess (2005)
Ice Princess
6.1
  • Casey Carlyle
  • 2005
Michelle Trachtenberg, Jessica Boehrs, Jacob Pitts, Travis Wester, and Scott Mechlowicz in EuroTrip (2004)
EuroTrip
6.6
  • Jenny
  • 2004

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress



  • Harriet the Spy (2021)
    Harriet the Spy
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Dr. Wagner (voice)
    • 2023
  • Unicorn Boy (2023)
    Unicorn Boy
    6.5
    • Violet (voice)
    • 2023
  • Gossip Girl (2021)
    Gossip Girl
    5.4
    TV Series
    • Georgina Sparks (as Michelle Tractenberg)
    • 2022–2023
  • Human Kind Of (2018)
    Human Kind Of
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Judy Reilly (voice)
    • 2018
  • Robot Chicken (2005)
    Robot Chicken
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Harriet the Spy
    • Festival Doctor
    • Gummy Bear (voice) ...
    • 2006–2018
  • Alfred Molina, Amy Smart, Michelle Trachtenberg, Troian Bellisario, Tom Everett Scott, Jacki Weaver, and Jess Weixler in Sister Cities (2016)
    Sister Cities
    6.6
    TV Movie
    • Dallas Baxter
    • 2016
  • Michelle Trachtenberg in The Christmas Gift (2015)
    The Christmas Gift
    5.3
    TV Movie
    • Megan Phillips
    • 2015
  • SuperMansion (2015)
    SuperMansion
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Blood Moon (voice)
    • 2015
  • Guidance (2015)
    Guidance
    5.6
    TV Series
    • Anna
    • 2015
  • Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie in Sleepy Hollow (2013)
    Sleepy Hollow
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Abigail Adams
    • 2015
  • Save the Date
    6.3
    TV Movie
    • Hillary
    • 2014
  • Katie Cassidy in The Scribbler (2014)
    The Scribbler
    5.3
    • Alice
    • 2014
  • NCIS: Los Angeles (2009)
    NCIS: Los Angeles
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Lily Lockhart
    • 2013
  • Rob Lowe and Will Rothhaar in Killing Kennedy (2013)
    Killing Kennedy
    6.0
    TV Movie
    • Marina Oswald
    • 2013
  • Sexy Evil Genius (2013)
    Sexy Evil Genius
    5.7
    Video
    • Miranda Prague
    • 2013

Producer



  • Michelle Trachtenberg in Meet, Marry, Murder Hosted by Michelle Trachtenberg (2021)
    Meet, Marry, Murder Hosted by Michelle Trachtenberg
    6.4
    TV Series
    • executive producer
    • 2021
  • Guidance (2015)
    Guidance
    5.6
    TV Series
    • executive producer
    • 2016–2017

Soundtrack



  • Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
    Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    8.3
    TV Series
    • performer: "Dawn's Lament", "What You Feel", "Where Do We Go From Here?"
    • 2001

Videos25

Michelle Trachtenberg Through the Years
Clip 0:39
Michelle Trachtenberg Through the Years
"Knock Knock" from Cop Out
Clip 1:18
"Knock Knock" from Cop Out
"Knock Knock" from Cop Out
Clip 1:18
"Knock Knock" from Cop Out
"Car Thief" from Cop Out
Clip 1:23
"Car Thief" from Cop Out
"Burglar" clip from Cop Out
Clip 1:03
"Burglar" clip from Cop Out
"Dickie Doo" from Cop Out
Clip 1:15
"Dickie Doo" from Cop Out
Ice Princess
Clip 1:02
Ice Princess

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Alternative name
    • Michelle Tractenberg
  • Height
    • 5′ 7½″ (1.71 m)
  • Born
    • October 11, 1985
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • February 26, 2025
    • Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(complications from diabetes mellitus)
  • Children
    • No Children
  • Parents
      Michael Trachtenberg
  • Relatives
    • Irene Trachtenberg(Sibling)
  • Other works
    CD: Starred (as "Dorothy") on The Children's Museum of Los Angeles' "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz - A Centennial Celebration".
  • Publicity listings
    • 5 Interviews
    • 7 Articles
    • 4 Pictorials
    • 23 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Spoke Russian.
  • Quotes
    [on being involved in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) spin-off] I didn't see myself continuing as Dawn because I like to have diversity in my roles. A lot of people are like, "Oh my God! Little Dawn grew up!" And as much as I love you guys, suck it up.
  • Trademarks
      Pale skin

FAQ

Powered by Alexa
  • When did Michelle Trachtenberg die?
    February 26, 2025
  • How did Michelle Trachtenberg die?
    Complications from diabetes mellitus
  • How old was Michelle Trachtenberg when she died?
    39 years old
  • Where did Michelle Trachtenberg die?
    Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
  • When was Michelle Trachtenberg born?
    October 11, 1985

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