Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl and 17 Again — those are a few hits Michelle Trachtenberg has starred in over her decades-long run in Hollywood.
The actress kicked over her movie career playing a child sleuth in Harriet The Spy before she transitioned from child star to bona fide actress. But in 2016, Trachtenberg appeared to close the door on Hollywood to focus on another passion.
So where has the 35-year-old been these last five years? Let's take a look...
Which movies and TV shows has Michelle Trachtenberg starred in?
Trachtenberg first stepped into the industry at just three years old, appearing in a TV commercial for detergent. That would be her first of many ads — in total, she starred in more than 100 TV commercials early on in her career.
By aged 11, she was cast in her first lead movie role in the children's flick Harriet the Spy.
The 1996 movie was Nickelodeon's first-ever film and saw Trachtenberg play the role of Harriet, a super-sleuth who writes down everything she observes about her family, friends and classmates in her trusty notebook.
Unlike many of her peers who attended theatre school or acting coaching, Trachtenberg was one of the lucky few who bypassed Hollywood's rite of passage and went straight to the big screen.
READ MORE: What happened to Frankie Muniz and why doesn't he remember being in Malcolm in the Middle?
In 2000, she joined the cast of the teen series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brought in to play Dawn, the sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar's titular character — a major development in Trachtenberg's career.
"It is very exciting," she said at the time. "I've been a fan of this show forever. It's sad, because I'm like a walking encyclopedia [of the show]. You ask me a question, I can not only tell you the answer, but I can give you a little history there, too."
READ MORE: What happened to Austin Powers actor Mike Myers?
But in February this year, 18 years after the series wrapped, Trachtenberg revealed Buffy creator Joss Whedon's behaviour with her "as a teenager" on set was "not appropriate". In an Instagram post, she went even further and alleged Whedon wasn't allowed to be alone with her.
"The last comment I will make on this. Was. There was a rule. Saying. He's not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again," she wrote.
Was Michelle Trachtenberg almost cast in Twilight?
From a TV vampire to a big-screen one? That almost happened for the actress.
In 2008, Trachtenberg was tipped to play Bella Swan in the vampire franchise Twilight. Due to scheduling conflicts, the role eventually went to Kristen Stewart.
"There was definitely interest here and there because there's only so few pale girls in Hollywood," Trachtenberg told Us Weekly in a previous interview. "I've known [director] Catherine Hardwicke since the movie Thirteen. I was actually supposed to star in that, but I was on Buffy at the time. I guess schedules never worked out [with Thirteen and Twilight].
What happened to Michelle Trachtenberg?
After her three-year stint on Buffy, Trachtenberg went on to star in films such as Euro Trip, Ice Princess, and 17 Again opposite Zac Efron. She also had starring roles in TV series including Weeds, Mercy, Six Feet Under and Gossip Girl.
Apart from voicing characters in the animations Robot Chicken and Human Kind Of, the actress — who has clocked up 55 acting credits to her name — has not starred in a movie or TV series since 2016.
It's no surprises Trachtenberg has seemingly turned her back on Hollywood. In a previous interview, she revealed the glitz and glamour was never her idea of fun as she a firm homebody.
"The real me is sitting at home, no makeup, in my old sweatpants, watching DVDs," she said.
What is Michelle Trachtenberg doing now?
Trachtenberg has also been focusing on her other passion: writing. After she was cast in Harriet The Spy, the actress was inspired to be a writer one day. And thanks to her apparent early retirement, she has more time to perfect her new craft.
"I still have her yellow, plastic binoculars that say 'Harriet the Spy' on my library consul with different books and memories," she told Entertainment Weekly in 2016, when she stepped away from acting. "My love of writing came from reading and being Harriet the Spy. Writing changes people's worlds."
She also teased that she's currently writing a project about "a period piece that spans about a 30-year decade, starting in the '50s. It's a true story." And she is also pitching a pilot about an "accessories editor who always wanted to be a writer".
READ MORE: What happened to Cameron Diaz?
Trachtenberg is also more activist than actress these days. The star is using her platform to help fight against drug use. She has been a spokesperson for organisations and charities such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE America). Recording Artists, Actors & Athletes Against Drink Driving (RADD) and Kmart Kids Race.
And her passion for making a difference was already prevalent when she was a child. In the '90s, she campaigned alongside then-US President Bill Clinton to help him launch The Coalition for a Drug-Free America political initiative.
Is Michelle Trachtenberg in a relationship?
Trachtenberg is reportedly dating her talent agent Jay Cohen.
According to Us Weekly, the actress and the Gersh Agency partner have been "dating for over a year". They reportedly met in 2014 when she first signed with the agency but only recently developed a romantic relationship.
The actress sparked engagement rumours last October when she shared a photo of herself wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring. But it was all a ruse to bring attention to the US election last November.
"I picked the right one 😜⚡️💍," she captioned the since-deleted selfie. "Now that I have your attention. I know @joebiden @kamalaharris and I will be very happy together. #vote 💙."
Trachtenberg has been engaged before. Between 2008 and 2010, she dated store manager Scott Sanford and they were engaged at one point. But after a year-long engagement, they called it quits.
What is Michelle Trachtenberg's net worth?
After starring in a string of hits on both TV and film, Trachtenberg can afford to retire.
With a cool US$11 million to her name, she can afford to spend her days writing away.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, sign up here to receive our top stories straight to your inbox
'Lost for so long': GoT star on growing up in character View Gallery