Actress Michelle Trachtenberg was just 39 when she was found dead on Feb. 26 in New York City, but she had been working as an actress for almost her entire life. Trachtenberg began her career in a Wisk detergent commercial when she was just 3, and moved on to become a child actress in Nickelodeon and other productions before launching into major movies and television shows. Many of her fans grew up watching the actress, and her death, which has been ruled “undetermined” but said not to be suspicious, has touched many people deeply. Even Britain’s Princess Eugenie, who once lived in New York and was a friend of Trachtenberg, shared her sorrow at the loss.
“Goodbye special friend. You are so loved and missed,” the princess wrote of Trachtenberg in an Instagram story. “Thank you for so many memories of laughter and fun. You were so thoughtful and generous and soooo funny.”
Here’s how you can watch some of Trachtenberg’s most memorable performances.
Harriet the Spy
Trachtenberg was just 11 when she starred in the 1996 film version of Harriet the Spy, the beloved 1964 novel by Louise Fitzhugh, playing child spy Harriet M. Welsch. The movie is available on numerous streaming services, including Apple TV, Hoopla, Pluto TV, and Prime Video.
Michelle Trachtenberg, age 11, poses with Rosie O’Donnell, her Harriet the Spy co-star in this 1996 photo.
Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
Buffy, The Vampire Slayer was already a hit when Trachtenberg joined the cast in its fifth season in 2000, playing Buffy’s younger sister, Dawn. Her plot is complicated — the character suddenly shows up in the series, but the characters act as if she has always been there. The reason is thorny and complex, and Trachtenberg becomes a vital part of the show. You can watch Buffy, The Vampire Slayer on Apple TV, Hulu and Tubi.
Dean Valentine, Michelle Trachtenberg, Joss Whedon and Gary Newman are shown at the 2001 screening of Once More With Feeling, the acclaimed musical episode of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.
17 Again
Trachtenberg played the teen daughter of Matthew Perry’s character in the 2009 comedy-drama 17 Again. Watching that movie now is doubly emotional, since Perry, known to many for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, died in 2023 at age 54. You can watch 17 Again on Apple TV, and Prime Video,Â
Gossip Girl
Trachtenberg played villainous character Georgina Sparks in the juicy teen drama Gossip Girl, which ran from 2007 to 2012. The actress loved playing the role, telling Entertainment Tonight in 2021 that Georgina was her favorite character of all her many roles. She returned to play the character in two episodes when the show was rebooted in 2022. You can watch Gossip Girl on Netflix, Max and Tubi.
Fall Out Boy video
Trachtenberg, along with other celebrities, makes a cameo appearance in the 2006 Fall Out Boy video of “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s An Arms Race. The actress shows up in the funeral scene for bassist Pete Wentz. The video can be watched on the band’s official YouTube channel. Look for her around 2:59 of the video, clutching the arm of actor Seth Green, who starred with her in Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. Trachtenberg and Wentz briefly dated in 2006.