Michelle Trachtenberg’s pals saw heartbreaking warning signals before death as she became recluse in tragic last days
GOSSIP Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg became a recluse as she stayed out of the public eye in the years before her sudden death, friends have said.
Trachtenberg, who was also known for appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead inside her New York City apartment by her mom on February 26.
HBO MaxMichelle Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl[/caption]
Instagram/michelletrachtenbergTrachtenberg was found dead on February 26 at the age of 39[/caption]
Trachtenberg’s cause of death was ruled “undetermined” after her family refused an autopsy, but it was widely reported she underwent a liver transplant before her death at 39.
Friends recalled she suffered from back trouble and bone problems in the years leading up to her death.
They told US Weekly that whenever they and Trachtenberg spoke, there was “something medically wrong” with the actress.
In one picture taken in February 2020, Trachtenberg was photographed holding a cane at the Cadillac Oscars celebrations in West Hollywood.
The friend noted how Trachtenberg was a “recluse” in the years before her death, shunning the limelight.
“She achieved huge success early on but lost her footing later,” they added.
“I think she gave up on the fame aspect and didn’t want to be part of Hollywood anymore.”
Meanwhile, a source close to the actress, revealed she faced “curveballs” with her health.
“The last time I saw her, something felt off,” they said
“You could sense something was going on.”
They said Trachtenberg looked incredibly frail and had been ill for a while.
Other pals of Trachtenberg noted how they exchanged calls with the actress while she was in the hospital.
British photographer Amanda de Cadanet recalled the moment she FaceTimed Trachtenberg in a social media tribute to the star.
“I will not share the details of our conversations over the last 6 months,” she said.
“But you knew that death was a high possibility,” she originally wrote, but later deleted the last couple of sentences and edited the original caption.
Trachtenberg’s cause of death remains unknown but cops told TMZ her body may have rejected the liver transplant.
Michelle Trachtenberg's career
Michelle Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, starring in over 62 movies and TV shows before her sudden death at age 39.
Notable roles throughout her career include:
1994: Nona Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete
1996: Harriet in Harriet the Spy
1997: Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
1999: Penny Brown in Inspector Gadget
2001: Hosted and narrated Truth or Scare
2004: Jenny in Euro Trip
2005: Casey Carlyle in Ice Princess
2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
2009: Maggie in 17 Again
2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
2022-2023: Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl reboot
The star also made cameo appearances in major TV shows:
2006: Lisa Tyler in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
2006: Melinda Bardach in House
2013: Lily Lockhart in NCIS: Los Angeles
2013: Diane Turner in Criminal Minds
They suggested that it could have caused complications.
It has since emerged that Trachtenberg was working on a screenplay before her death, as per People.
The proposed screenplay was titled Toy Monster and inspired by the book written by Jerry Oppenheimer.
Casey Tebo, the film producer and director, described Trachtenberg as an “incredible writer.”
Tebo said he and Trachtenberg’s partner Jay Cohen are working to get the screenplay turned into a movie.
Tributes flooded in after the news that Trachtenberg had died surfaced.
TRIBUTES PAID
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, revealed she would always love the late actress.
Trachtenberg played the character Dawn Summers in the hit show – Buffy’s sister.
Blake Lively, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Gossip Girl, paid tribute to the star’s “electric” personality.
“Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work,” she said.
“She was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Gossip Girl stars Ed Westwick and Taylor Momsen also paid their own respects.
In her tribute, Momsen revealed she knew from the first moment she met Trachtenberg the pair would be friend.
“She was simply awesome,” she said.
“My heart is on the floor.”
SplashA picture from 2020 showed Trachtenberg holding a cane[/caption]
AlamyTrachtenberg alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer[/caption]
AlamyTrachtenberg alongside her Gossip Girl co-star Leighton Meester[/caption]
Tributes to Michelle Trachtenberg
Friends and former co-stars of Trachtenberg’s were quick to post tributes on social media honoring the actress.
David Boreanaz, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a photo of the actress on his Instagram story, commenting, “So very sad…horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick posted a photo on his Instagram story of the actress when she played Georgina Sparks. He wrote, “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in 2005 film Ice Princess, wrote, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, also said the news was “heartbreaking.”
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said, according to People.
James Marsters, another co-star on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on Instagram to honor the late actress. “My heart is heavy today,” he wrote.
“We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.”
Fellow Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson posted a farewell message to the actress and reminded others to check in on their friends.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!” he wrote.
Melissa Joan Hart, Trachtenberg’s Clarissa Explains it All co-star, said she was “heartbroken” over her death alongside a clip of the show.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” she said. “So young, so talented and so sweet!”
“I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”
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