Introduction

Why we like her:
Michelle Trachtenberg has managed the often hazardous transition from cute child star to fetching actress with admirable aplomb. But however fast this teen's film career blossoms, she's determined to better herself in the meantime, through public service and higher education.

Why is she famous?
After enjoying a successful career as a child star in movies like Harriet the Spy (1996) and Inspector Gadget (1999), Michelle Trachtenberg starred as Buffy's younger sister Dawn on the later seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Now she's all grown up in the teen comedy, Eurotrip (2004).

Comments:

Overall rating: 77

New York native Michelle Trachtenberg did her first commercial at age 3, and would add more than 100 more to her resume. Soon she became a child star, taking on the title role in Harriet the Spy (1996) and portraying Penny in the live-action film version of Inspector Gadget (1999).

In 2000, Trachtenberg moved to Los Angeles for a three-season stint on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, playing Buffy's kid sister, Dawn. Most recently, she starred in Eurotrip (2004), proving that her cute days are now behind her -- she's just plain sexy now.

But through it all, the amiable Michelle has made sure to stay in school, and plans to juggle her higher education along with a burgeoning movie career; she even generously gives back by helping out a number of worthy causes.

Personality and Talent: 76

Michelle Trachtenberg certainly has a winning personality. She's a good friend to many --- and this even helped her land roles in Inspector Gadget and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She's also keen on getting a good education, an attitude that belies her years. Furthermore, Michelle has donated her time to such worthy charities as DARE, RADD, Youth of America, and the Starlight Children's Foundation.

As for her acting skills, Michelle is talented, but her focus on others and on school have perhaps kept her from really devoting herself to the craft. While she's proven herself in light comedy -- starting with her first commercial at age 3 -- she has yet to tackle any serious roles that would give her an added challenge.

Sexiness: 80

Having turned 18 not too long ago, Michelle has passed the jailbait phase, so we can thankfully evaluate her sex appeal without any moral qualms. And the sex appeal is there, all right: anyone who saw her in a skimpy bikini in Eurotrip knows what we're talking about.

Michelle Trachtenberg's sunny look and youthful verve are now gelling with her blooming womanhood, and her sexiness continues to develop as a result. But even though she's already thoughtful and mature, some may still think that Michelle needs a few more years to become a really sexy young woman.

Accomplishments and Fame: 73

Going from adolescence to adulthood is hard enough, but doing so in the middle of an acting career is even harder. Michelle Trachtenberg has successfully spanned child stardom and is still in demand. Trachtenberg even won two Young Artist Awards along the way, one for her starring role in Harriet the Spy, and another for her work on the television show Meego.

Michelle is still best known for her work as a child star in Harriet the Spy and Inspector Gadget, as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which has given her a cult following, as well as a third Young Artist Award.

With Eurotrip and future projects like Mysterious Skin and Odd Girl Out, Michelle is sure to reach a broader audience and establish herself as an adult.

Natural Beauty: 81

Though she was, understandably, a little awkward-looking in her younger years, Michelle Trachtenberg has undeniably come into her own. A brunette with dazzling blue eyes, she's also got a great set of lips, which wrap around the kind of smile that could light up the dark side of the moon.

Standing 5'7" tall, Michelle's lithe body is starting to put on the graceful curves of maturity -- but it's an ongoing process. With a little more time, we're sure that Michelle's beauty will only deepen.

Personal Style: 76

As a still-precocious 18-year-old, Michelle Trachtenberg is well-versed in the unpredictable and amorphous world of teen fashion. Jeans are certainly a good bet, but Michelle might otherwise wear stylish cargo pants or a pleated skirt reminiscent of the schoolgirl look. She often matches these with a simple wide-necked, long-sleeved T-shirt, or a skimpier, more adventurous top, accented with a beaded necklace.

Out on the town or at a premiere, Michelle can be seen in a long floral or patterned gown. Alternately, she might wear a simple black pantsuit or a similar outfit, when comfort is as important as looking her best.

Biography

Michelle Christine Trachtenberg was born on October 11th, 1985, in New York City. She started acting at age 3, after telling her mother Lana, a former actress and puppeteer, that she wanted to be on TV.

Michelle's first job came in a commercial for Wisk: "I was a daughter who had to throw fake cranberry juice on my father," Michelle later explained. In the years that followed, she appeared in over 100 commercials.

Michelle made an early appearance on a 1991 episode of Law & Order. Then, from 1994 to 1996, Michelle had her first major dramatic role, playing an autistic child, Lilly Benton Montgomery, on the long-running soap All My Children. One of her All My Children co-stars was Sarah Michelle Gellar, who would go on to star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the meantime, however, Michelle was cast in the title role in Harriet the Spy (1996), based on the beloved children's book by Louise Fitzhugh.

Quote

"A lot of people are like: 'Oh my God! Little Dawn grew up!' And as much as I love you guys, suck it up."
-Michelle Trachtenberg, on post-Buffy roles.

Michelle Trachtenberg on Buffy

Following a few more television appearances, including the award-winning children's show Reading Rainbow, Michelle was seen on the big screen again, this time as precocious Penny in the live-action film version of Inspector Gadget (1999). Some could say that karma played a part in her landing the role: It's rumored that Michelle had been considered for the lead in a remake of The Parent Trap, but passed so that her friend, Lindsay Lohan, could have the part. In return, Lohan offered her the role of Penny in Inspector Gadget.

Trachtenberg's career took a darker turn when she moved to Los Angeles to join the cast of the cult favorite, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in 2000. Michelle played Dawn, the sister of the eponymous Buffy -- it was Sarah Michelle Gellar, her former co-star, who had recommended Michelle for the part. Trachtenberg remained on Buffy until the show came to an end in 2003.

Michelle Trachtenberg does Eurotrip

Michelle's next project was the teen comedy Eurotrip (2004), in which, as the bikini-clad Jenny, she put to rest any doubts that she, now 18, had grown up. She also has parts in the upcoming movies Mysterious Skin (2004), Odd Girl Out (2005) and Ice Princess (2005).

In between roles, Trachtenberg does charity work and pursues her hobbies, which include swimming, rollerblading, ice skating, bicycling, and writing short stories.

In spite of her busy work schedule, Michelle still makes education a top priority. While filming, she was always tutored on the set. When not working, she attended regular school, whether it was elementary school in Brooklyn, New York, or high school in Sherman Oaks, California. Her older sister Irene is a recent college graduate, and Michelle plans to follow in her footsteps. Her plan is to go to school, but still do movies in the summer. One thing is certain, though -- she's not keen on math. "What do you use it for?" Michelle jokes. "'I'll have eggs and a Pythagorean theorem, please.'"

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- All accompany pictures are through out the article.