Michelle Trachtenberg, ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actress, dead at 39
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg has died, sources told The Post Wednesday. She was 39.
The “Harriet the Spy” star was found dead Wednesday morning after going into cardiac arrest in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle, The Post confirmed.
The New York Police Department said she was “unconscious and unresponsive” when officers and paramedics arrived. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
Per sources, Trachtenberg’s mother discovered her daughter’s body around 8 a.m. local time at One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxury apartment complex in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood.
The actress died from natural causes, sources added, but her official cause of death has yet to be revealed. We also learned she recently underwent a liver transplant. It is believed her body may have rejected the liver transplant, which she received within the last year, according to sources.
Michelle Trachtenberg has died. She was 39.
The beloved TV star’s body was removed from her Manhattan apartment Wednesday and taken to a funeral home. Peter Gerber
Sources also told The Post that Trachtenberg’s death is not being investigated as suspicious. The New York coroner’s office added to Page Six, “There is no information available on this case at this time.”
Trachtenberg’s rep, Gary Mantoosh, told The Post Wednesday, “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss.”
Trachtenberg, who was also known for her roles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” sparked concerns about her health last year when she posted photos with a drastically different appearance.
The beloved TV star defended her looks, however, telling her “haters,” “Explain to me how I look sick.”
Trachtenberg was known for her breakout role in “Harriet the Spy.”
She also starred in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Trachtenberg, seen here with Penn Badgley in “Gossip Girl,” starred in the hit teen drama from 2008 to 2012. GC Images
She added at the time, “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”
Trachtenberg also wrote in response to the feedback on Instagram, “I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
However, several fans pointed out that they were not trying to criticize the actress’s appearance but were more so concerned because she looked gaunt, her hair was thinner and her eyeballs had a yellow tint.
Trachtenberg also landed roles in teen comedies like “EuroTrip.”
In January 2024, Trachtenberg began to spark public concern over her changed appearance.
The former child star’s final social media post was a throwback photo of herself in a green dress that she shared on Instagram a week ago. She captioned it, “I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell.”
On Feb. 12, she also posted a more current selfie and wrote alongside of it, “Eye of the Tiger.” The snap marks the last known photo of Trachtenberg before her tragic death.
Trachtenberg had been in a relationship with talent agent Jay Cohen. In March 2024, she wrote via Instagram, “Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me.” It appears they were not married.
Cohen did not immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.
Trachtenberg denied that she had any medical issues and said she was “happy and healthy.”
Trachtenberg died after going into cardiac arrest. We were told she recently underwent a liver transplant.
Trachtenberg was born in New York City and began her acting career at the ripe age of 3.
Her first TV series was on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” from 1991 to 1996. Her first big break came when she starred as the titular character in 1996’s “Harriet the Spy.”
She also went on to have lead roles in films like “EuroTrip,” “Ice Princess” and “17 Again.”
