- Trachtenberg was an American actress
- She rose to fame as a child actress starring in many roles
- She passed away on 26 February at age 39 in her apartment
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg sadly passed away on 26 February, but that does not mean her legacy does not live on. At only 39 she had so many iconic and memorable roles in TV and film. She starred in two teen cult classic shows, Gossip Girl and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as well as other roles. The actress was reported to have passed away when she was found by her mother in her apartment, news outlets report.
The 39-year-old began her acting career as a child, making her first appearance in a commercial at age three. Her debut television role was in the second season of Law & Order, but her first major long-lasting role was on the Nickelodeon show The Adventures of Pete & Pete. As the nineties went on, she starred in more popular projects and had a successful acting career leading into the 2000s as a teenager.
Read More: Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg Passing Away
Her co-stars have paid tribute, as have many fans who grew up with the actress. She was a staple in 90s and 2000s TV and cinema and her loss is felt by many fans. However, with her passing comes a great reminder of her legacy and acting talent, which she exhibited in many roles. Here are her best roles.
What are Michelle Trachtenberg’s best roles?
This is up for debate. According to IMDB, Trachtenberg has a total of 62 acting credits. How can we nail it down to just a few? Well, we will try.
1. Georgina Sparks – (2007-2012)
Without a doubt, Trachtenberg’s most iconic acting role is her role as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. She played the recurring role from 2007 until 2012. Fans adored the wickedness of Georgina, who joined Gossip Girl in the show’s 15th episode.
What fans loved about Trachtenberg’s portrayal of Georgina was that she was delightfully evil, and was different from the actresses’ previous roles. Take her earlier role as Dawn Summers in Buffy for instance, Dawn is a sweet and naive girl. Although she does grow up in the sixth and seventh seasons, she spends much of Buffy floundering and not knowing her place. However, Georgina knows exactly where her place is and it is to taunt everyone around her.
The role was so iconic that the actress reprised the role for two episodes in the second season of the HBO Gossip Girl reboot. We rest our case.
2. Jenny – Eurotrip (2004)
Instead of a Hot Girl Summer, Jenny had a Eurotrip Summer! Eurotrip is one of the most beloved movies which Trachtenberg starred in. She plays Jenny, the twin sister of Jamie (Travis Wester) who joins the other teens on their European trip.
The reason Jenny is so iconic is because she is one of the first girls to try and break the “Pick Me Girl” stereotype. The teenager doesn’t want to be treated as one of the boys. Honestly, she probably wanted a holiday romance, who can blame her?
Even as a teenager Jenny realizes that she is pretty and starts to gain confidence. Also, have you seen the outfits that she wears? Jenny is one of Trachtenberg’s first characters to have a good style. That silver sequin masterpiece, hello?
3. Casey Carlyle – Ice Princess (2005)
It may be controversial to rank Casey Carlyle above Dawn Summers, but we’re doing it. Casey ranks so high in Trachtenberg’s iconic roles because this was a defining role of her career. Buffy had just finished and it was one of her first roles after the show ended.
Casey subverts the expectation of living a double life. The whole premise of the movie is that she is a ‘nerd’ torn between pleasing her mom who wants her to succeed in academics and her passion for figure skating.
The teenager is aspirational and learns from no experience to figure skate. She is a girl’s girl, and have you seen her outfits? The figure skating ones are stunning.
4. Dawn Summers – Buffy The Vampire Slayer (2000-2003)
Don’t point your pitchforks! Although Dawn is one of Trachtenberg’s most well-known roles, it isn’t her most iconic. Considering Dawn’s characterization, she doesn’t do much in her first season on Buffy. Plus she comes in the fifth season when the dynamics on the show are well-established.
The mention of Buffy having a sister is never made before her introduction. Trachtenberg’s casting was iconic in itself, but a bit misplaced. The actress knew Sarah Michelle Gellar as they met on the soap All My Children. If we are being blunt, Dawn was also very whiny in season five (yes, we know she was a teenager) but Buffy didn’t act like even being a few years older.
Dawn did have character depth though, she became rebellious in season 7 sneaking into The Bronze and training to help Buffy fight The First. Dawn also helped The Scoobies read and study texts, but it wasn’t enough to make her stand out.
Devastatingly, she may’ve had more character development in the Buffy reboot, as Trachtenberg was reportedly “in talks” to return.
6. Harriet – Harriet The Spy (1996)
Harriet in Harriet The Spy would and should be higher on the list, but Trachtenberg has had too many iconic roles. This film alongside Rosie O’Donnell is considered to be one of her breakout roles, meaning it must be included.
One of Trachtenberg’s first movies as a child, her role as Harriet is a heartwarming and charming reminder of nostalgic children’s movies. Not only was Harriet curious but she was smart and strong-willed, a trait which paved the way for her future roles. Harriet is a bit similar to Jenny in Eurotrip with the fact she is stubborn and knows what she wants.
Furthermore, Harriet is also an interesting character, she has a huge problem to solve but instead of crumbling manages to do what she needs to.
Of course, there is also the fact that a young Trachtenberg was such a cute child as well.
6. Magie O’Donnell – 17 Again (2009)
The actress played a smaller role in 2009’s comedy 17 Again. How can this role not be iconic, when Zac Efron is your protagonist? Maggie O’Donnell starts as a textbook rebellious teenage stereotype, she’s dating the wrong boy and is just angsty for no reason.
This role shows the potential of Trachtenberg’s comedic timing. Maggie unknowingly develops a crush on her father who has been transformed into his teenage self. In the modern day, Maggie doesn’t know her father has had a Freaky Friday situation. The conflict in the movie makes for some of the funniest scenes between Trachtenberg and Efron. Is it awkward? Sure. But funny? Undoubtedly.
