Celebrities
Taylor Momsen honored the memory of her late Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg on what would have been her 41st birthday. Trachtenberg died in Manhattan on February 26, 2025, at the age of 39. She died from complications related to diabetes.
Taylor Momsen remembers Michelle Trachtenberg on her 41st birthday
In an October 11 Instagram post, Momsen shared a selfie of Trachtenberg and penned a caption in memory of the late actress. The 33-year-old wrote, “Happy birthday angel, I will always love and miss you @michelletrachtenberg.”
The post prompted an outpouring of messages from fans and friends in the comments for Trachtenberg, who gained recognition for her roles in Harriet the Spy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer before starring in Gossip Girl. One of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars, Sarah Michelle Gellar, wrote, “Love you, friend.” A fan wrote, “When she died, everyone talked about it, and now no one does anymore. Thank you, @taylormomsen, for being genuine amid so much superficiality; we all miss someone in one way or another. What a beautiful tribute you paid to her.”
Trachtenberg began her career on Nickelodeon during the 1990s. She gained early recognition for playing a role in The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She later starred in Nickelodeon’s first feature film, Harriet the Spy, released in 1996. She appeared alongside Rosie O’Donnell in the movie. In 2000, Trachtenberg took on the role of Dawn Summers in the WB series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her character was the younger sister of Buffy Summers, played by Michelle Gellar.
The role became another notable credit in her acting career. Trachtenberg then went on to appear in a variety of film and television projects. Among her credits were the teen comedy EuroTrip, the drama series Six Feet Under, and the Disney movie Ice Princess.