Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Michelle Trachtenberg dies

Michelle Trachtenberg, an American actress known for her roles in the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl," has died, aged 39.

"It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time," the statement said.

The cause of Trachtenberg's death is not known.

The star was born on October 11, 1985, in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents.

As a child, Trachtenberg got her start in Hollywood when she was three years old in commercials and her television debut was in the Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" in 1994.

At 10 years of age, she landed her first title role in the 1996 movie "Harriet the Spy."

She had roles in several Nickelodeon productions leading up to her being cast in the cult classic "EuroTrip" in 2004 when she was in her early twenties.

Then came the roles that she is best known for, including the character Dawn Summers in the WB supernatural drama "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in 2000 and as Georgina Sparks on the CW television series "Gossip Girl" in 2007.

Some of her other roles include television films "Killing Kennedy," "Sister Cities," and the science fiction film "The Scribbler".

Trachtenberg also appeared in music videos from emo-rock band Fall Out Boy for their song "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race," and the Joaquin Phoenix-directed music video for "Tired of Being Sorry" by Ringside.