A Look Back at Michelle Trachtenberg’s Most Iconic Movie and TV Roles

Michelle Trachtenberg passed away suddenly on February 26 at the age of 39. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but the actor’s passing has left fans reminiscing about her lasting impact on television and film. Trachtenberg was a staple of early 2000s pop culture, best known for her scene-stealing roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, and more TV shows and movies. 

Trachtenberg first captured audiences’ hearts in her breakout role as Harriet in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. From there, Trachtenberg cemented her name in the entertainment industry and went on to play Dawn Summers, Buffy’s younger sister, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She found herself to be quite successful in Hollywood throughout her twenties. 

Trachtenberg’s career was filled with diverse and memorable roles. The actor's work resonated with fans who grew up watching her on screen, making her sudden passing all the more heartbreaking. As Hollywood and her devoted followers pay tribute to her talent and impact, her legacy in film and television will undoubtedly live on.

To honor her life and legacy, L’OFFICIEL looks back at some of Trachtenberg’s most iconic movie and TV roles.

Harriet the Spy (1996)

In Trachtenberg's early acting days, she got the lead role in Nickelodeon's Harriet the Spy. Armed with her trusty journal, sixth grader Harriet documents everything around her—tracking suspicious activity and jotting down candid observations about everyone she knows. But when her private notebook falls into the wrong hands, Harriet’s unfiltered thoughts are exposed, turning her classmates—and even her best friends—against her.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Trachtenberg joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer in its fifth season as Dawn Summers, Buffy’s younger sister—though her introduction came with a supernatural twist. Initially absent from the show’s earlier seasons, Dawn was revealed to be a mystical Key disguised as Buffy’s sibling, with implanted memories that made her feel like she had always been part of the Summers family. While the character was divisive among fans, her arc added an emotional layer to Buffy, and Trachtenberg’s performance made Dawn a memorable part of the show’s legacy.

Ice Princess (2005)

In Disney's Ice Princess (2005), the actor starred as Casey Carlyle, a high school student with a passion for physics who unexpectedly discovers a hidden talent for figure skating. While working on a science project analyzing the mechanics of skating, Casey finds herself drawn to the ice. Trachtenberg brought determination to the role, making Casey’s transformation from a bookish outsider to a competitive skater both inspiring and relatable. The film became a beloved coming-of-age film, solidifying Trachtenberg as a leading star of the 2000s.

Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

In Gossip Girl, Michelle Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks, the ultimate troublemaker of Manhattan’s elite. Georgina quickly became one of the show’s most infamous villains, known for her manipulative schemes. Whether tormenting Serena van der Woodsen with their wild past or later reinventing herself, Georgina’s unpredictability made her a fan favorite.

17 Again (2009)

In 17 Again (2009), Michelle Trachtenberg plays Maggie O’Donnell, the teenage daughter of Mike O’Donnell (played by Matthew Perry as an adult and Zac Efron as his younger self). Maggie is caught in a complicated situation when her dad, magically transformed into a 17-year-old, enrolls at her high school and witnesses her relationship struggles firsthand.