The creators and cast of “Gossip Girl” are paying tribute to actor Michelle Trachtenberg, who was found dead on Feb. 26 at the age of 39.
Police confirmed Trachtenberg’s death after responding to a 911 call in New York City. Authorities found a woman, later identified as Trachtenberg, unconscious and unresponsive. There is an ongoing investigation and a medical examiner will determine cause of death.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a representative for the actor said in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg began her career as a child star, leading the 1996 Nickelodeon film “Harriet the Spy” before landing the role of Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” She appeared as Buffy’s little sister on the series in Season Five in 2000 and continued to star on the show until its seventh and final season in 2002.
She then starred in the 2005 film “Ice Princess” and had guest arcs on shows like “House” and “Six Feet Under.” In 2008, she was cast as the duplicitous Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl,” one of her most recognizable roles.
Georgina first pops up in Season One and continues to make appearances in every season of the beloved CW series. When Vanity Fair celebrated the show’s 10th anniversary in 2017, Trachtenberg spoke to the publication about the show’s success and its passionate viewers.
She recalled fans attempting to “pet (her) hair” when she arrived on set. “I opened up my trailer door to see, literally, on my first day, I think 40 paparazzi. That’s when I was like, ‘OK I need my own bodyguard.’”
Trachtenberg portrayed the character for 28 episodes and also reprised the role for the recent “Gossip Girl” reboot.
Following news of her death, the show’s creators, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, mourned Trachtenberg in a joint statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented,” they said.
“Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family,” the statement continued.
“Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford penned a heartfelt tribute to Trachtenberg on Instagram.
He uploaded a series of funny selfies the two had snapped together.
“Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it,” he praised. “She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile.”
He added, “Just a terrible loss. Love you.”
Schwartz commented on the post, “Well said. Love these photos.”
Former co-star Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass in the original teen drama, also expressed his condolences.
@edwestwick via Instagram
He shared a photo of Trachtenberg on “Gossip Girl” to his Instagram story and wrote, “So sad to hear of the passing of @MichelleTrachtenberg sending prayers.”
On Trachtenberg’s last Instagram post, which was shared a week before her death, fans mourned the late actor.
“She was my childhood. Harriet the spy was one of my absolute favourites,” one Instagram user wrote.
“We will miss our ice princess,” another wrote.
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Olivia Munn is looking forward to her future.
Nearly one year after sharing her luminal B breast cancer diagnosis, the "Newsroom" alum found a moment to reflect on her health journey.
“I’d like to propose a toast to good health,” Munn said as she took the stage during the TIME Women of the Year gala on Feb. 25. “A toast to healthy days.”
Munn — who shares children Malcolm, 3, and Méi, 5 months, with husband John Mulaney — went on to detail an experience the couple recently had with their youngest child, noting after their daughter was suffering from “discomfort” and stomach pain, the actress’ intuition led her to make a dietary change.
“It’s one of my most proud moments as a mother ever, but I was sitting with her this past Friday giving her a bottle and she just sighed this perfect little baby sigh and her belly was soft and she was smiling and she was healthy, and then I realized that I’d felt pretty good all day too,” Munn noted about switching her baby’s formula. “I have years to go in my cancer treatment, but on that Friday my joints didn’t ache, and I wasn’t too hot or too cold from going into a surgical menopause, and my brain fog had cleared, at least for that day anyway.”
Olivia Munn and John Mulaney have welcomed their second child! The couple took to Instagram Sunday to announce the birth of their daughter, Méi June Mulaney, who was born via surrogate on Sept. 14.
READ Olivia Munn Says a Therapist Encouraged Her to Stay in Past Toxic Relationship
"As I held my daughter, I was so grateful that I was healthy enough to see every minute of it all,” the "Office Christmas Party" star added. “Each day brings with it its own problems, and my hope is that you’ll all be healthy enough to enjoy them.”
Munn shared that she was diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer in March 2024. As a result, the actress underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction, a hysterectomy to remove her uterus and fallopian tubes and oophorectomy to remove her ovaries.
In October, Munn proudly showed off her surgery scars in a campaign for SKIMS and spoke candidly about embracing her empowering new body.
"In the middle of this latest SKIMS bra campaign shoot, I decided I was done being insecure about my mastectomy scars," Munn wrote on Instagram alongside images of herself posing topless. "Every mark life has left behind on my body is proof of how hard I fought. I hope other women who have been self-conscious about their scars see these photos and feel all the love I'm sending."
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