Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress known for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” passed away at age 39.
Trachtenberg died early Wednesday at her East 40th Street apartment in Manhattan, and police are not investigating foul play, according to USA Today.
Trachtenberg’s death comes over a year after her “17 Again” co-star Matthew Perry passed away, which reportedly had a significant impact on her.
We lost both Michelle Trachtenberg and Matthew Perry who played father and daughter in “17 Again”. 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/qvSoFvNG4O
— Natasha 🤎 (@NaturallyTashh) February 26, 2025
Perry was “devastated” by her death and had long feared she would die young, especially after her liver transplant this summer, according to sources close to her.
‘Michelle was very shaken when Matthew died because she had not expected it. Despite the fact that he was troubled and struggled to stay sober, she simply did not expect it to happen, according to the source.
According to an insider who spoke with the Daily Mail, “Matthew’s death was on her mind frequently,” and she feared she might be next.
Trachtenberg underwent surgery for liver problems, and she appeared to be concerned about the risks.
“So, when she went in for liver surgery, she worried that she would be next. She had expressed her fear of dying after signing all those “in the event that you die” papers at the hospital, which freaked everyone out.
Although one-year survival rates vary, the Mayo Clinic estimates that approximately 7% of liver transplant recipients die within a year.
In November, she made her final public appearance at a celebration honoring designer Christian Siriano in LA. Fans recently expressed concern about her health after she shared gaunt-looking photos on social media.
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Michelle Trachtenberg Career
Trachtenberg rose to prominence in the late 90s and early 2000s as a teen actress, playing Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Her role as Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl” established her Hollywood credentials.
Following her death, fans and actors paid tribute to her contributions to television and impact on coworkers. Sarah Michelle Gellar, her co-star in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” also paid tribute to Trachtenberg, recalling fond memories of the two together.
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Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, but no foul play is suspected.