Biography

Michelle Trachtenberg

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Born
October 11, 1985 · New York City, New York, USA
Died
February 26, 2025 · Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA (complications from diabetes mellitus)
Birth name
Michelle Christine Trachtenberg
Height
5′ 7½″ (1.71 m)

Spoke Russian.
She was the first choice of Catherine Hardwicke (director of Twilight (2008)) to play the role of "Bella Swan". However, she wasn't able to take the role due to scheduling conflicts.
She worked with Sarah Michelle Gellar on the long-running All My Children (1970) in the mid-'90s before Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) and they were good friends. Sarah was the one who recommended Michelle for the part of "Dawn".
Studied ballet as a child, which helped her perfect her skating abilities for Ice Princess (2005).
Said the last line ever in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) series.

[on being involved in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) spin-off] I didn't see myself continuing as Dawn because I like to have diversity in my roles. A lot of people are like, "Oh my God! Little Dawn grew up!" And as much as I love you guys, suck it up.
[on why she chose not to continue her role as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] I felt like every year, my character got younger as I got older. The scripts even had me speaking grammatically incorrectly. So I had to do something else. Besides, the show is over. If you miss it, get the DVDs.
[on the future of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)] I'm sure that in some way, shape or form, "Buffy" will be continued or the story, through the fans, because we do have such devoted fans and that's always been very sweet.
My confidence comes from me, Michelle, as a person. I don't necessarily believe that I will act and be a lead forever, but I want to continue to act for a long time. I love to do what I do.
[what her dream job would be] A fashion editor at "Vogue", that would be awesome.

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