Sarah Michelle Gellar paid tribute to the late Michelle Trachtenberg after the actress died at age 39.
“’Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you,’” Gellar, 47, wrote of her former Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar via Instagram on Thursday, February 27. She said, quoting a scene between her and Trachtenberg’s characters. She then quoted Dawn’s memorable line from the iconic musical episode: “‘The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.’ 
.’”
She also shared a carousel of images of the two actress onto her Instagram Story set to Sarah McLachlan‘s “I Will Always Remember You.”
Police sources confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 26, that Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment. A cause of death has not been announced, but the incident is not believed to be suspicious.
Trachtenberg joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Dawn, Buffy’s little sister (and a magical key), in 2000 as the show entered season 5. She remained on the supernatural drama through the seventh and final season, but she and Gellar met long before they entered Sunnydale.
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The women first crossed paths in 1993 when they were both on All My Children. Gellar played Kendall Hart on the soap opera from 1993 to 1995, while Trachtenberg portrayed Lily Montgomery from 1993 to 1996.
One month prior to her death, Trachtenberg — who is also known for roles in Gossip Girl, Ice Princess and 17 Again — shared a throwback photo of herself and Gellar wearing matching denim jackets in 2014.
“Slay all day! Always loved this twinning photo of us! #buffy #dawn 
#sister #womancrushwednesday,” she captioned the snap via Instagram on January 22.
She also paid tribute to Gellar in 2022 amid the 25th anniversary of Buffy.
“Happy 25th anniversary, big sister, of the premiere of your show #buffythevampireslayer,” Trachtenberg captioned an image of the duo on the red carpet at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards. “We have known each other for almost 30 years. You gave me this shirt to wear to present an award to you. For being a badass. You still are. 
but I’m also still taller. 
@sarahmgellar.”
In 2015, Gellar celebrated Trachtenberg’s 30th birthday by declaring that she’d always look at the younger actress as her sibling.
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“How is it possible that you are #30 @michelletrachtenberg I met you as a little girl on #allmychildren and have continued to watch you grow,” Gellar shared. “You may be taller than me now, but you will always be my little sister. You have the #key to my heart.”
Unfortunately, Trachtenberg is not the only friend Gellar has mourned recently. In July 2024, her longtime friend Shannen Doherty died at age 53 after a long cancer battle.
