Trachtenberg was born in New York City in a Jewish family, the younger of two daughters to Lana, a manager, and Michael Trachtenberg, an engineer. Her father is American and her mother was born in Russia and Trachtenberg can speak Russian fluently. Her family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah; her grandparents live in Israel. Trachtenberg was raised, along with older sister Irene, in Sheepshead Read more...

Trachtenberg made her first television appearance at the age of three, in a commercial for Wisk Detergent. She went on to feature in over 100 more commercials. She appeared in her first credited role as Nona F. Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete from 1994 until 1996. During the same period she played Lily Montgomery in All My Children, in which she first worked with future Buffy star Read more...

Michelle Christine Trachtenberg (born October 11, 1985) is an American television and film actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Dawn Summers in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer from seasons 5 through 7. She is currently playing Georgina Sparks on the series Gossip Girl.