Born in New York City in 1985, Trachtenberg started her acting career at just the age of three, appearing in commercials. She played Nona Mecklenberg on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete in 1994-96, and Lily Montgomery on the soap opera All My Children. She made her breakthrough in the successful movies Harriet the Spy (1996) and Inspector Gadget (1999). She picked up additional notable roles in the film EuroTrip (2004) and Mysterious Skin (2004) as well as recurring roles on Six Feet Under and Gossip Girl.
Trachtenberg's most notable genre role was playing Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She joined the show in the first episode of its fifth season in 2000 and remained on the show until its conclusion in 2003. Dawn is introduced as the sister of protagonist Buffy Summers, which is interesting because Buffy is repeatedly noted to be an only child in the first four seasons and Dawn is not mentioned, nor appears. The mystery of where Dawn came from, and why Buffy and her friends act as if she's been around all along, becomes a major plot point for the series. Trachtenberg's arrival on the show was controversial with fans, but after the storyline played out, she had a warmer reception from the fanbase. Trachtenberg noted making the show was hard work and she clashed with showrunner Joss Whedon; according to several actors' claims, his bullying behaviour meant he was not allowed to be alone with Trachtenberg on set, something he later disputed. Trachtenberg credited other actors with having her back, especially Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy).
Tragically, Trachtenberg's passing comes a few weeks after it was confirmed a new iteration of Buffy was in development with Gellar attached, leading to speculation that Trachtenberg might be able to reprise her role as Dawn.
During her later years, Trachtenberg mostly switched to guest roles on TV shows, as well as appearing in the Gossip Girl revival in 2022-23. Trachtenberg also experienced health complications, undergoing a liver transplant in 2024.
Co-stars including Ed Westwick, Rosie O'Donnell, Kim Cattrall, James Marsters, David Boreanaz, Kenan Thompson, Shawn Ashmore and Melissa Gilbert have paid tribute to her. Likely more tributes will be made in the coming days.
Trachtenberg was a gifted actress at a young age, and made her role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer work under difficult circumstances. She passed away at far too young an age, and will be missed.
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