Melissa Gilbert shared a heartbreaking message after her former costar Michelle Trachtenberg died at age 39.
“Oh Michy … and we lived so close to one another,” Gilbert, 60, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, February 26, alongside a photo of her and Trachtenberg from their 1996 film A Holiday for Love. “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so.”
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday that Trachtenberg died at age 39. Police sources told Us that her death was not being investigated as suspicious. A source subsequently told Us that Trachtenberg had a liver transplant before her death.
Trachtenberg rose to fame for her role in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. She subsequently joined the casts of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. Trachtenberg continued to book TV roles on shows such as Mercy, Weeds and Criminal Minds, and she reprised the role of Georgina Sparks in the 2022 Gossip Girl reboot. She recently hosted and executive produced the docuseries Meet, Marry, Murder.
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Before her sudden passing, Trachtenberg slammed criticism from fans after some questioned her appearance. She shared a photo with Alexa PenaVega on Instagram in January 2024, to which a fan wrote back, “Michelle u look sick. R u ok?”
Trachtenberg clapped back in multiple social media comments.
“Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment,” she wrote before elaborating in a separate post, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
Trachtenberg’s former costars and celebrity friends have started to reflect on her legacy with public messages. Rosie O’Donnell gave a statement to Us, which read, “Heartbreaking. I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
Despite being catapulted to fame as a child star, Trachtenberg largely stayed out of the spotlight before her shocking passing. She has spoken out about her biggest roles in the years since they came to an end — including playing Dawn on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
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“Actually, I was texting with Sarah [Michelle Gellar] the other day. And I was like, ‘Oh, man. I should have taken a whole bunch of stuff [from set],’” she joked to Entertainment Tonight in 2021. “She was like, ‘You don’t leave your house.’ Which is arguably accurate via the COVID.”
Trachtenberg added: “I’ve known Sarah for, oh my god, 30 years. Something to that effect, just shy. And I rubbed her belly at her baby shower when [her daughter] Miss Charlotte was in there. And now she could practically be in college right now. I don’t know.”
