Despite sharing the same surname, Michelle Trachtenberg is unrelated to Dan Trachtenberg.
Michelle Trachtenberg, an actress best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, has died at the age of 39.
Highlights
- Michelle Trachtenberg passed away on February 26, 2025, at 39, in her New York City apartment.
- Dan Trachtenberg and Michelle Trachtenberg have no familial connection but have a similar surname.
- Michelle’s father, Michael, is an engineer, and her mother, Lana, is a bank manager.
Trachtenberg was found dead Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle just after 8 a.m. local time by her mother.
The sources said that the actress recently underwent a liver transplant and may have been experiencing complications. She is believed to have died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected.
However, her family objected to an autopsy on religious grounds.
Her close friend, Amanda De Cadenet, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram about her last interactions with Michelle. Amanda wrote,
Sweetheart Michelle. What sad news this morning to wake up to. It feels weird and awful to be posting this, but I want to acknowledge your death because I cared about you. I will always remember you as the young vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you …,” “Seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humor were still alive.”
The Gossip Girl community is mourning their loss, as Michelle’s former co-star Ed Westwick took to social media to express his sadness. He stated,
“So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg Sending prayers.”
Blake Lively also offered a tribute to Michelle, sharing her thoughts late Wednesday night. She wrote,
“Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Dan Trachtenberg Don’t Have Any Relation With Michelle Trachtenberg
Although Michelle and Dan Trachtenberg have the same surname, they are unrelated.
On August 12, 2022, Dan took to his official Twitter handle, where he announced that he has no relation to an actress, Michelle Trachtenberg. He wrote,
Oh, also, my last name is pronounced TraCK-ten-berg. And I’m not related to Michelle.
Dan is a filmmaker and director recognized for his work on 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey. He has also directed episodes of popular TV shows such as Black Mirror and The Boys.
On the other hand, Michelle is an actress who started acting as a child and gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
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She quickly became known for her roles in family-friendly films and TV shows, notably starring as the lead in Harriet the Spy.
Although their last names are identical, they have no known familial connection.
Michelle was born in New York City on October 11, 1985, while Dan, 43, was born in Pennsylvania on May 11, 1981.
However, it is common for celebrities to share last names without being related. Many fans assume a connection between public figures with the same surname, but Michelle and Dan have no family ties in this case.
They have each built successful careers in their respective field.
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg’s Family Are Jewish Immigrants
Michelle Trachtenberg was born to her father, Michael, and her mother, Lana Trachtenberg.
The Gossip Girls star Michelle’s parents were Jewish immigrants, her father from Germany and her mother from Russia. Her mother helped her learn some Russian for a role in 2013.
She was raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and attended junior high school at The Bay Academy for the Arts and Sciences.
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Her father, Michael, is an engineer, and her mother, Lana, is a bank manager who has always supported Michelle in achieving her acting dreams.
In addition, her grandparents reside in Israel. She grew up along with her sister, Irene Trachtenberg.
Additional Information
- Michelle was in a relationship with Cohen, the former Wall Street investment banker at the Gersh Talent Agency.
- Dan has an estimated net worth of around $1.3 million as of 2025.
- Dan Trachtenberg attended Temple University, graduating in 2003.
