The death of renowned actress Michelle Trachtenberg (known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl) on February 26th sent shockwaves among drama lovers and Y2K fanatics, many West High students among them. Trachtenberg is best remembered as the dynamic antagonist for many of her appearances, notorious for stirring the pot using her manipulative and cunning personality. The legacy of her acting style has captivated audiences for decades, having a profound influence on actors who played similar roles in new drama series.
In one of her first acting stints, Trachtenberg played Dawn Summers in the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the kleptomaniac younger sister of the eponymous protagonist Buffy. The character’s villainous persona was received with mixed reception, though the role has come to be known as one of the most defining points in Trachtenberg’s 30-year career. Looking back at her early acting days, Milena Kerch (11) recalled how she “sympathized with her kleptomania, although it wasn’t productive and she should’ve gotten help.” Even if the young actress did not utilize the best skills to ensure that the show was meaningful for Kerch, she still thought it was “interesting to see Dawn’s character change over time and contain so many multitudes.” Through her acting, Trachtenberg effectively characterized a girl torn between feeling heartbroken, betrayed, and unsure, capturing the essence of teenage angst and coming-of-age problems.
The reason why viewers could see multiple facets of Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was due to the fact that Trachtenberg was committed to performing in both an entertaining and inspirational manner— a trait that she maintained in her Gossip Girl days. Her experience also cemented what Ava Silva (12) called a “legacy of versatility.” Trachtenberg built her career on portraying different sides of herself when she played Georgina Sparks, a wealthy New York girl who meddled with her friends’ love affairs. Compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Silva asserted that her role in Gossip Girl was “more bold and unpredictable.” Throughout Trachtenberg’s career, drama fans may reflect upon how she became increasingly powerful and memorable.
The actress’s powerful performances cast a variety of reactions. Leilani Ramos (11) recalled feeling disdainful toward Georgina when she watched the first season of Gossip Girl, stating “she wasn’t great, and as the season went on, she was still a troublemaker, always causing drama.” However, Ramos felt that the character of Georgina began to resonate with her as the series progressed: “She gave off classic mean girl vibes, and you obviously wanted to be like her.” Trachtenberg was that actress who could portray even the most unlikable of characters in a way that her audience wanted to connect with them.
Gossip Girl was Trachtenberg’s era for highlighting how her acting dictated what occurred in a drama series. Jaela De Leon (11) reminisced on several instances in the show where Georgina’s presence added intrigue and dimension to the scene by making many situations “annoying, which was a good thing because they were supposed to be annoying and chaotic.” Trachtenberg mastered the art of plot twists when her dominant presence cast a suspenseful mood every time a relationship was on the cusp of shattering.
Remembered as a master of manipulation, Trachtenberg learned how to connect with young adults by twisting even the most unlikable of characters to be among the most beloved. Undoubtedly, many consider her to be a significant part of their younger days, and her legacy will forever live in memory.
