Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar paid a heartfelt tribute to her former co-star, Michelle Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg was found dead in her apartment in February 2025. However, Gellar posted this emotional message on October 11, which would’ve marked the late actress’ 40th birthday.
Sarah Michelle Gellar remembers ‘little sister’ Michelle Trachtenberg on 40th birthday
On October 11, Sarah Michelle Gellar, known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took to her Instagram account to post an emotional tribute in honor of the late actress Michelle Trachtenberg.
In the post, Gellar uploaded a small clip of her character, Buffy Summers, and Trachtenberg’s, Dawn Summers, hugging each other. In the background, the video played Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa’s song, “See You Again.”
The video was also accompanied by a message. The caption read, “When you turned 16, it was hard not to still see you as the little girl I met on All My Children. When you turned 21, I had to teach myself to not see you as the little sister anymore. I can’t imagine what 40 would have been like. This I know… it would be filled with love. Happy birthday @michelletrachtenberg”
The post has since gone viral and garnered sincere responses from fans and co-stars, all adding to the tribute.
This comes months after Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment on February 26, 2025. Following weeks of laboratory tests, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York revealed that the actress had died due to complications of diabetes mellitus.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Dawn Summers first appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 2000 as Buffy’s younger sister. She continued to play the role until the show ended in 2003. Outside of the show, Trachtenberg has also been part of movies like Euro Trip, Gossip Girl, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Ice Princess, and 17 Again, among many others.
