Buffy the Vampire Slayer famed actress Michelle Trachtenberg unexpectedly passed away due to reported health conditions. As the world mourns her loss, here is a look back at when she debuted in the supernatural drama, quickly becoming one of the most hated characters of all time.
However, a while back in an interview, the actress defended creator Joss Whedon for his decision to craft a character that elicited such strong reactions from fans. In her response, she even clapped back at the criticism, having stated that most haters do not even have the guts to say things to her face, reminding us just how much of a badass the actress was.
When Michelle Trachtenberg defended her Buffy the Vampire Slayer character
Michelle Trachtenberg has played several controversial and divisive characters that continue to divide fans. But none of them are as divisive as Dawn Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Introduced abruptly as Buffy’s younger sister in Season 5 despite having never been mentioned before, she was a bratty, infuriating, and immature character that often got on the nerves of audiences for her damsel-in-distress antics. Naturally, fans hated her with a passion and that hate often ended up being transformed into hate for the actress.
But the late actress remained unbothered by the hate and criticism. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2017, she defended the creator Joss Whedon despite later making some shocking allegations against him in 2021 (via the NY Post).
Most of the haters don’t have the guts to say things in person. I still get comments like, ‘Oh my God! I think Dawn is so annoying!’ I get it. It’s fine.
She also remarked that fan opinion over the years has changed and the hate for Dawn had significantly reduced as time passed by. This incident and the hate for her character, which still continues, sheds light on the fine line between creative decisions and audience reception that can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences.
However, given how Dawn Summers continues to garner hate even today, it is a testament to the brilliance of the late actress and her talent, that even though she played the most hated character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, her character continues to enjoy an enduring legacy.
Michelle Trachtenberg passes away at 39
Michelle Trachtenberg recently passed away at the age of 39, as the NY Post first reported. Famous for her roles in several movies and series and as a child actress, she was found by her mother around 8 in the morning, at her Manhattan residence in the Central Park South neighborhood.
As per sources, she had recently undergone a liver transplant, and it might be possible that her death was due to a natural cause, possibly because her body might have rejected the organ. The NYPD further confirmed that she was unconscious and unresponsive when found and was found dead by the Emergency Medical Services.
While her death has not raised any suspicions, the city medical examiner will further determine the cause as per the Post. The actress, in her last days, had garnered attention after she posted a series of photos on Instagram appearing frail and ill. After fans showed concern, the actress responded she was happy and doing well.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to be streamed on Disney+.
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