Buffy the Vampire SlayerCast Remembers 'Howlingly Funny' Michelle Trachtenberg After Her Death at 39: 'Too Young'

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Buffy’ cast members Emma Caulfield, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, James Marsters, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg at the UPN sessions of the Television Critics Association summer press tour.Photo:Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

OnBuffyshe joined the cast in season 5 as Dawn Summers, the kid sister toSarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy Summers. Her addition to the cast so late in the series had a magical explanation as she was actually a mystical “key” put into a human body and sent to the Slayer for protection against the evil god named Glory (Clare Kramer). At the end of season 5, Buffy sacrificed herself to save Dawn.

Trachtenberg stayed on the show as a core cast member until it ended with season 7 in 2003.

Michelle Trachtenberg, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kristine Sutherland as Dawn, Buffy and Joyce Summers on ‘Buffy.'.Richard Cartwright/UPN/Courtesy Everett

Richard Cartwright/UPN/Courtesy Everett

James Marsters, who played the vampire Spike on the show and shared many scenes with Trachtenberg, shared a statement to PEOPLE in the wake of her death.

“My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul,” Marsters said. “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.”

Marsters, 62, added, “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.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who took on the titular role inBuffy, paid tribute to Trachtenberg with a carousel ofphotosfrom their time together on the show.

“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you,” Gellar, 47, wrote to Trachtenberg, quoting fromthe season 5 finale episode ofBuffyin which Buffy sacrifices herself for Dawn. “The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.” She added “💔💔💔🗝️” to the end of the caption.

David Boreanaz— who played the vampire Angel, a main love interest of Buffy — was one of the first cast members to react to the news online, writing on his Instagram Story, “So very sad …horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”

David Boreanaz reacts to Michelle Trachtenberg’s death.David Borenaz/Instagram

David Borenaz/Instagram

Alyson Hannigan— who starred as Willow Rosenberg — remembered her late costar in a touching tribute onInstagram.

Amber Benson, who portrayed Tara Maclay on the series, remembered Trachtenberg as “the sweetest kid” in a touchingsocial media tribute.

“She brought such joy and light to theBuffyset,” she added. “The world is less bright without her in it.”

Emma Caulfield, who played the role of former demon Anya Jenkins, also posted a tribute on herInstagram Stories, writing: “I’m so sorry your bright light died so young. Our Buffy family lost a little sister today… Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved.”

Clare Kramer, who played the villainous Glory,added, “Peace out little one.✌️🧿⚡️💔 A talented & kind soul gone way too soon!💧You’re free to fly now… 🕊️”

J. August Richards, who appeared as Charles Gunn in the spinoffAngel,wrote, “Just heard about the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg… So young… My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy… Rest In Peace, dear one…❤️🙏🏾”

20th Television, the studio producingthe newBuffyreboot, also reacted to the news in a statement to PEOPLE. “Michelle touched a generation of television fans throughout her career, including in her unforgettable role as the independent and strong-willed Dawn Summers inBuffy. 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,” they said.

Emma Caulfield reacts to Michelle Trachtenberg’s death.Emma Caulfield/Instagram; Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

Emma Caulfield/Instagram; Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

Eliza Dushku, who played Faith, called Trachtenberg “so young” and a “sweet soul” in a post on her Instagram Stories on Feb. 27. “So heartbreaking. May you rest, in peace, little slayer sis,” she wrote. “Holding MT’s family + friends in our 🤍 ’s.”

Amber Rose Tamblyn, who guest starred onBuffy, also paid tribute with a lengthy post on her Instagram Stories and recalled how “friendly” Trachtenberg was. “Like so many in our peer group at that time, we had an unspoken shared specific pain and a shared specific experience from growing up in the entertainment business—before social media and self branding, at the height [of] early aughts paparazzi mayhem, when young women’s bodies and ambitions were expected to stay as small as possible.”

Tamblyn continued, “Dear sweet Michelle, I will always remember you as a great talent, with eyes that pierced through the bulls—, always to the heart of any matter or any scene.”

Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase, admitted she “did not know Michelle as well as some” of her costars, “but it is never easy to see someone so young, bright, beautiful, and full of promise pass away” in an Instagrampost.

“I extend my deepest condolences to those who knew her better than I did—those who had the pleasure of working with her, those who loved her with all their might, her family, and her partner, whom I never met,” Carpenter, 54, wrote.

“I would be remiss not to acknowledge the undeniable impact she has had on the lives of her fans worldwide. She will live on through her performances and her love of storytelling forever. Rest easy, Michelle. 🕊️

From left: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seth Green, Michelle Trachtenberg and Nicolas Brendon from the show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ at Paley Television Festival in 2008.Neilson Barnard/Getty

Neilson Barnard/Getty

TheNYPD confirmed the newsof Trachtenberg’s death to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Feb. 26, sharing that following a 911 call, Trachtenberg was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her Manhattan apartment around 8 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.

“Criminality is not suspected,” the NYPD added. “The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.”

Trachtenberg remained close with many of herBuffycostars through the years, including Gellar, whom she frequently reunited with. In January, she posted a throwback photo to Instagram with her on-screen sister.

“Slay all day! Always loved this twinning photo of us! #buffy #dawn 🤪 #sister #womancrushwednesday @sarahmgellar 💙💙💋” Trachtenbergcaptioned the post.

Michelle Trachtenberg and Sarah Michelle Gellar on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'.Photo 12 / Alamy Stock Photo

Photo 12 / Alamy Stock Photo

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In addition toBuffy the Vampire Slayer,Trachtenberg was best known for her roles as Georgina Sparks onGossip Girl,Harriet M. Welsch in 1996’sHarriet the Spy,Jenny inEurotrip,Casey Carlyle inIce Princess,and Maggie O’Donnell in17 Again.

Trachtenberg’s last credited role was in 2023, reprising Georgina Sparks on Max’sGossip Girlreboot.

source: people.com