Sarah Michelle Gellar honors co-star Michelle Trachtenberg with 'Buffy' quote: 'I will live for you'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sarah Michelle Gellar honored her 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' co-star Michelle Trachtenberg with an emotional Instagram post on Thursday, just one day after the actress was found dead in her New York City home.
Gellar, who played Buffy Summers in the cult classic series, shared a collection of throwback photos of the two, capturing their bond both on and off set. In her caption, she referenced an iconic line from the show, replacing “Dawn” with “Michelle” in a message of love and remembrance, as reported by People.
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Sarah Michelle Gellar’s heartfelt tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you,” Gellar wrote. “The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”
The quote, originally spoken by Buffy to her on-screen sister, resonated deeply with fans, especially those who watched Trachtenberg’s portrayal of Dawn Summers in the show’s final three seasons.
"Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. But this is the work that I have to do. Tell Giles ... tell Giles I figured it out. And, and I’m OK. And give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world ... is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Gellar ended the tribute with broken heart emojis and a single key emoji, a nod to Dawn’s character being a mystical “key” in the series.
Trachtenberg, known for 'Buffy', 'Gossip Girl', and a string of early-2000s films, was found unresponsive in her home on Wednesday morning. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene, confirming that no foul play was suspected. The New York Medical Examiner’s Office stated that the official cause of death remained undetermined.
Her death sent shockwaves through Hollywood, prompting tributes from colleagues and friends. Blake Lively, who worked alongside Trachtenberg in 'Gossip Girl', shared her own heartfelt words on Instagram.
“She was electricity,” Lively wrote. “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed… She was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved. She was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Fans mourn with Sarah Michelle Gellar as she pays tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
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Sarah Michelle Gellar has honored the late Michelle Trachtenberg with an emotional tribute, sparking a wave of heartfelt reactions from fans and former colleagues.
The tribute deeply resonated with fans, many of whom saw Trachtenberg as part of their childhoods. One user wrote, “We all lost a little sister.”
Another added, “So sorry, Sarah. May she rest in peace. Love you.”
Messages of love and condolences continued to pour in, with one fan commenting, “We all know how much you loved her, I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you love, rest in peace Michelle.”
Another wrote, “RIP Michelle. Sorry for the whole team’s loss, this one is very hard to accept.”
One commented, "I’m so sorry for yet another loss. She loved you," while another wrote, "Sending all my love Sarah. Our little Dawnie is flying high."
"Man, I’m so freaking sorry for your loss!! I still can’t believe it! Sending all my love and prayers!" a user said.
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