**Michelle Trachtenberg: Beloved Actress from Buffy and Gossip Girl Passes Away at 39**

**Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her iconic roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl', has tragically died at the age of 39. As tributes pour in, her impact on television and film remains evident.**

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who gained fame as a prominent child star during the 1990s and early 2000s, has died at the age of 39. Emergency responders in Manhattan found her "unconscious and unresponsive" after receiving a call, and she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter.

Trachtenberg was widely recognized for her portrayal of Dawn Summers, Buffy’s younger sister, in the cult classic series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', as well as for her role as the cunning socialite Georgina Sparks in 'Gossip Girl'. She began her career in acting at just nine years old, starring in the Nickelodeon series 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete' before making her film debut in 'Harriet the Spy' in 1996.

Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news through a statement, requesting privacy during this difficult time. They emphasized that her passing is not being treated as suspicious, and the NYPD reported that criminality is not suspected. The medical examiner is set to determine the official cause of death.

Co-stars have taken to social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to her legacy. Blake Lively, who shared the screen with Trachtenberg in 'Gossip Girl', reflected on her friend's deep commitment to her craft and her vibrant personality. "She was fiercely loyal to her friends and big and bold and distinctly herself," Lively shared.

Rosie O'Donnell, who worked alongside Trachtenberg in 'Harriet the Spy', expressed her heartbreak, describing the late actress as someone she "loved very much." Meanwhile, Josh Safran, a writer from 'Gossip Girl', praised Trachtenberg for her unique voice as an actress, noting that her presence made his writing more impactful.

Other former co-stars, including James Marsters and Alyson Hannigan, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Trachtenberg's intelligence, humor, and the warmth she brought to every set she worked on.

Having last appeared in the HBO Max reboot of 'Gossip Girl' in 2023, Trachtenberg's final prominent role was as the host of 'Meet, Marry, Murder', a true-crime docuseries released in 2021. Notably, in the same year, she made allegations against 'Buffy' creator Joss Whedon regarding inappropriate behavior during production. Whedon has denied the accusations.

As the entertainment world mourns the loss of Michelle Trachtenberg, her legacy lives on in the characters she so beautifully portrayed and the lives she touched along the way.