R.I.P., Michelle Trachtenberg: Buffy and Gossip Girl Vets React to Former Co-Star’s Tragic Death
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer family is reacting to the actress’ shocking death at age 39.
Trachtenberg — who, in addition to playing Sarah Michelle Gellar’s kid sis on Buffy, memorably portrayed Gossip Girl‘s Georgina Sparks — was found dead on Wednesday in a New York City apartment near Columbus Circle.
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Per ABC News, Trachtenberg’s death is not believed to be suspicious; she recently underwent a liver transplant and may have experienced complications.
Trachtenberg’s memorable Buffy debut came with the Season 5 premiere, when the cult hit mysteriously posited that Buffy had had a younger sister all along. It was eventually revealed that Dawn was “the key” delivered to Buffy by Monks trying to stop Glory (who was a god). Dawn had been created from Buffy, and Buffy and her friends were given memories to make them think she’d always been in their lives.
Trachtenberg went on to appear in every episode of the supernatural drama’s final three seasons.
Upon Buffy‘s conclusion, Trachtenberg went on to appear in Six Feet Under, six seasons of Gossip Girl, NBC’s Mercy medical drama, Weeds and Max’s short-lived Gossip Girl reboot (reprising her role as Georgina), as well as do numerous one-off guest spots.
“Michelle touched a generation of television fans throughout her career, including in her unforgettable role as the independent and strong-willed Dawn Summers in Buffy,” a rep for 20th Television, the studio behind the iconic series, said in a statement. “She brought depth, heart, and authenticity to every performance and will be remembered for her remarkable talent. Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends — she will be deeply missed.”
Scroll down to read the remembrances pouring in from Trachtenberg’s former co-stars.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Quoting Buffy Summers’ words to Dawn in the show’s Season 5 finale, Gellar put the following caption on an Instagram carousel of photos honoring Trachtenberg: “’Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.’”
David Boreanaz
In an Instagram story, Boreanaz, who played Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its subsequent spinoff Angel, wrote, “So very sad… horrible news. R.I.P. and prayers to her and her family.”
Emma Caulfield
“I’m so sorry your bright light died so young,” Caulfield, who played Anya on Buffy, lamented on Instagram. “Our Buffy family lost a little sister today. Rest in peace, lovely Mish Mish. You were loved.”
James Marsters
“My heart is heavy today,” Marsters, AKA Spike on Buffy and Angel, wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Alyson Hannigan
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing,” Buffy star Hannigan (AKA Willow) shared on Instagram. “She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
Clare Kramer
Kramer, who played Glory on Buffy, memorialized her former co-star on Instagram, writing: “Peace out little one.????????,A talented & kind soul gone way too soon!??You’re free to fly now… ???”
Blake Lively
“She was electricity,” Lively said of her former Gossip Girl co-star on Instagram. “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200 percent. 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.” (Read Lively’s full remembrance here.)
Chace Crawford
Crawford, who played Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl, shared photos with Trachtenberg on Instagram along with the caption: “Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic… remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you.”
Ed Westwick
“So sad to hear of the passing of [Michelle Trachtenberg],” Westwick, who played Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl opposite Trachtenberg’s Georgina, wrote in an Instagram story. “Sending prayers.”
Rosie O’Donnell
Trachtenberg’s co-star in 1996’s Harriet the Spy, O’Donnell called the actress’ death “heartbreaking,” adding “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
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