Michelle Trachtenberg

Biography of Michelle Trachtenberg

Michelle Christine Trachtenberg was born on October 11, 1985 in New York City, New York. She is an American actress.

Trachtenberg was born into a Jewish family of Russian-German origin, which is why she speaks fluent Russian in addition to English. As a child, she attended a school for the gifted and later Bay Academy Junior High School in Brooklyn before moving to California with her mother. From 2002 she attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and graduated with honors in social studies and religion the following year.

She moved to Los Angeles from New York with her mother when she was eight years old, while her father and older sister stayed in New York. Her first major role was as Harriet the Spy. She played Buffy Summers' little sister, Dawn, on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

In 2004, she starred as Celeste in several episodes of the series Six Feet Under. She currently resides in Los Angeles. From 2008 to 2012 she played the role of Georgina Sparks in the US television series Gossip Girl in several episodes per season.

In addition to acting, Trachtenberg is actively involved in combating alcohol and drug abuse. She was spokeswoman for several aid organizations such as RADD, D.A.R.E. and The Starlight Foundation. This commitment was followed by an invitation from US President Bill Clinton and she became a representative for his "Coalition for a Drug Free America" campaign.