Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has passed away.
The actress, who first shot to fame as a three-year-old on Nickelodeon, was just 39 years old.
According to an NYPD statement, police responded to a 911 call at 8.00am local time about an unresponsive woman at a residence in Manhattan.
When officers arrived, they found the actor unconscious and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The statement adds: “Criminality is not suspected. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Tributes have already began to pour in for the actress, with her Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick saying in an Instagram post: “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Michelle Trachtenberg has reportedly passed away (Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
Fans have also been flooding social media with their condolences, as one said: “Completely shocking and heartbreaking. Grew up watching Michelle Trachtenberg. She was truly talented. May she rest in peace.”
Another added: “Rest in peace Michelle Trachtenberg. Thank you for the childhood memories. Fly high.”
A third wrote: “A terrible loss for all of those who grew up watching her on TV and Film. May she rest in peace and may God gives strength to her family and friends.”
And a fourth commented: “Michelle Trachtenberg was a legend. RIP.”
Trachtenberg, from New York, began her career in the entertainment industry when she was just a toddler and went on to score a host of huge roles in her adult life.
Kicking off by starring in more than 100 commercials, she soon bagged her first TV role and earned a spot in the second season of Law & Order.
This was followed by her gig on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete, spanning from 1994 until 1996 and securing her spot as a promising child star.
The late star seen alongside Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl (Warner Bros. Television)
With credits including Harriet the Spy, Inspector Gadget, Can’t Be Heaven, EuroTrip and Ice Princess, Trachtenberg also firmly made her mark on the film world too.
One of her most memorable roles came in 2000, when she starred in the hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn Summers.
Trachtenberg also earned an army of fans following her memorable stint on Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks and the actress became renowned across the globe for her acting prowess.
Music fans may also remember that she appeared in Fall Out Boy’s video for ‘This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race’ as well as in Ringside’s video for ‘Tired of Being Sorry’, which Joaquin Phoenix directed.
Trachtenberg also starred in the 2009 film 17 Again alongside Zac Efron, as well as enjoying roles in Cop Out, The Scribbler and Criminal Minds.
She appeared to take a step back from the spot light in recent years, with her last role being in the short-lived revival series of Gossip Girl in 2021.
The series was later cancelled by HBO in January 2023.
Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has posted a tribute to late co-star Michelle Trachtenberg following her death today (26 February).
Trachtenberg was best known for TV roles such as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, as well as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The actress’ untimely death was reported by The New York Post, who report that police sources said that she was found dead at a New York home on Wednesday morning, with her death not being treated as suspicious.
Westwick, best known for playing Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl alongside Trachtenberg, has now taken to Instagram to pay tribute to the star, who was just 39.
The pair starred in the 2000s’ TV drama (The CW)
Writing on his story, the British actor said: “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers,” accompanied with a prayer emoji and a white heart.
The White Gold star posted the heartfelt message along with a photo of Trachtenberg playing Georgina in the popular TV series.
Police sources told ABC News that she was found around 8am by her mother.
Sources also told the news publication that the actress recently underwent a liver transplant.
However, she is believed to have died of natural causes with no foul play involved.
Results of an autopsy carried out by the medical examiner’s office will determine the exact cause of death.
While she may be remembered for her time on TV, the actress was also part of a Fall Out Boy music video, as well as a Ringside music video, which was directed by Joaquin Phoenix.
In terms of films, Trachtenberg starred opposite Zac Efron in 17 Again, while also having roles in Cop Out and The Scribbler.
Trachtenberg was away from the spotlight for a number of years, with her last acting credit coming in the revival series of of Gossip Girl, back in 2021.
The actor posted a tribute message to his former co-star (Instagram/edwestwick)
Fans have already taken to social media to send their condolences, as one wrote: “Completely shocking and heartbreaking. Grew up watching Michelle Trachtenberg. She was truly talented. May she rest in peace.”
Another said: “Rest in peace Michelle Trachtenberg. Thank you for the childhood memories. Fly high.”
A third added: “A terrible loss for all of those who grew up watching her on TV and Film. May she rest in peace and may God gives strength to her family and friends.”
And a fourth commented: “Michelle Trachtenberg was a legend. RIP.”
More to follow.
Elf and Big Bang Theory star Bob Newhart has died aged 94.
The comedian’s publicist, Jerry Digney, announced his death this morning (18 July), explaining it comes ‘after a series of short illnesses’.
An absolute legend of comedy, Newhart was well-known for his deadpan delivery among his many TV and film appearances.
As well as having his variety show, The Bob Newhart Show, the American star of course played Papa Elf in Elf alongside Will Ferrell.
Newhart later won an Emmy Award for his recurring guest-star role in The Big Bang Theory. As fans will know, he played Sheldon’s hero, Arthur Jeffries – you know, Professor Proton the former kids’ TV show host.
Papa Elf will always be an iconic character. (Warner Bros.)
But before he began the star we knew and loved, he was actually an accountant.
“Somehow there’s a connection between numbers and music and comedy. I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s there,” he previously said in an interview with a college business professor.
“I know it’s a case of 2 and 2 equals 5 in terms of a comedian. You take this fact and you take that fact and then you come up with this ludicrous fact.”
Newhart also made appearances in Horrible Bosses, Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons and Young Sheldon.
A three-year-old girl has died following a serious collision between a tram and a van in Manchester City Centre.
According to local police, the incident took place earlier today when a tram collided with a white Mercedes-Benz van near the St Peter’s Square stop on Mosley Street. The tram had been heading from Victoria towards Manchester Airport.
It’s understood the girl had been walking nearby when the collision occurred.
“Emergency services are responding to reports of a collision involving a tram and a van in Manchester city centre,” Greater Manchester Police said (via MEN).
“A three-year-old girl was taken to hospital and has sadly passed away from her injuries.
The incident occurred near St Peter’s Square (Google Street View)
The statement added: “No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said that the collision occurred at 09.56am this morning.
“All of our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” a spokesperson added (via BBC).
A statement from TfGM on X added that there will be a ‘there will be a lengthy closure of surrounding streets’ near the crash location.
A police cordon is currently in place, with TfGM confirming that all trams between St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens are currently suspended.
The tram service is also reporting severe delays on all lines, tickets and passes are currently being accepted on buses through the city centre and on Northern Rail services from Ashton and Manchester Airport to the centre.
Further updates on public transport in the city can be found here.
Actor Warwick Davis’ wife Samantha has sadly died at the age of 53.
The Harry Potter star has paid tribute to his late wife, who passed away on 24 March, saying her presence in his life was like a ‘super-power’.
He said in a statement to the BBC: “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.”
The pair met in 1988 on the set of Willow, tying the knot three years later.
Instagram/@warwickadavis)
They share a daughter called Annabelle and a son called Harrison, while their eldest son Lloyd died when he was just nine days old in 1990.
Davis said Samantha – or ‘Sammy’, as she was known to him – was his ‘most trusted confidant’ and ‘an ardent supporter’ of everything he did in my career’.
“She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes,” he continued, adding: “With her by my side, I was sure I could achieve anything, it was like having a super-power.
“Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series.”
He also said there would be ‘no Idiot Abroad Series 3′, as his wife had been the one to persuade comedian Ricky Gervais to send him off with Karl Pilkington for the popular travel series.
Their children Harrison and Annabelle have also shared a statement about their mum, remarking on ‘her love and happiness’ that ‘carried’ them through their whole lives.
“Mum is our best friend and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers,” they added.
Instagram/@warwickadavis)
Like her famous husband, Samantha featured in a number of TV series and films during her career, including as a goblin in 2010’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and 80s children’s show Through the Dragon’s Eye.
Alongside Warwick, in 2012 she also co-founded the charity Little People UK, which works to help people with dwarfism, and their families.
“She was passionate about helping people, without judgment. She had time for everyone and a genuine listening ear,” Warwick said.
Disney, which has become home to the Willow TV series that was a sequel to Warwick and Samantha’s film, said the late star was a ‘beloved member of the UK film and TV community.
It said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with the Davis family during this difficult time.”
