Michelle Christine Trachtenberg, born in New York on October 11, 1985, is an American actress. She began her career at a young age, appearing in commercials and landing her first leading role in the film *Harriet the Spy* (1996). Her international recognition grew exponentially with her portrayal of Dawn Summers in the cult series *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, a role she held from 2000 to 2003. Her film career includes appearances in movies such as the comedy *EuroTrip* (2004) and the teen drama *Ice Princess* (2005). Another iconic role that cemented her fame was that of the manipulative Georgina Sparks in the television series *Gossip Girl*, where she had a recurring role from 2008 to 2012. For her performances, she has received several awards over the years, including a Young Artist Award for *Harriet the Spy* and an award at the Sarasota Film Festival for her performance in the film *Beautiful Ohio* (2006).