MICHELLE Trachtenberg reportedly endured a secret health battle before her sudden death at age 39.
The Gossip Girl star is said to have underwent a liver transplant in the months before she was found dead in her New York City apartment on Wednesday.
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The operation happened in the last year and Trachtenberg is believed to have been experiencing complications from it.
Her body may have even rejected the new liver, TMZ reported citing law enforcement sources.
Trachtenberg’s mom found her dead in her apartment near Columbus Circle in Manhattan after 8 am on Wednesday, cops said.
No foul play is suspected in her death but what caused it is still unclear, according to police.
READ MORE ON MICHELLE’S DEATH
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” her rep told TMZ.
“The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
The actress had been out and about as recently as Thursday, when she visited Italian restaurant Sartiano’s in NYC with friends.
She put on a brave face through her reported health struggles and stayed active on social media, regularly posting pictures on Instagram.
She shared her final photo on Instagram on February 18.
Meanwhile, the Gossip Girl’s neighbors were shocked to learn of her death.
Raphael Noufled, 24, has lived in the building for 20 years and told The U.S. Sun he had limited interactions with the actress but was still stunned to see police and media surrounding his building.
“I walked out this morning to go on a run then I saw [press] guys with the cameras, so I asked around and heard the sad news,” he shared.
“I didn’t know her personally or anything about her health but she seemed alright. So obviously it was a big shock to hear she passed away this morning.
“Gossip Girl is the only show I watched from her, but she was obviously a great actress. People loved her, people are here to pay their respects.”
BROKEN ANKLE
While Trachtenberg never spoke publicly about her reported liver problems, she previously opened up about other health struggles throughout her time in the spotlight.
In 2019, she was pictured wearing a boot on her left foot and using a cane to get around – but she never explained the cause of her injury.
She wrote in an Instagram post at the time, “Dear 2019. My broken ankle can still kick your a** out the door.
“Cuz in 2020, I’m going to be 100% that b****.”
She was once again seen using a cane in pictures from events in Los Angeles in January and February 2020.
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In 2022, she shared a picture of her swollen and bruised ankle in an Instagram post.
“Nope this is not special effect makeup,” she wrote.
“When you fracture/break your ankle this bad. And foot. And pinky toe. And you still go to work. THAT is beast mode. How bout that swelling!”
‘HAPPY AND HEALTHY’
Fans shared concern for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress in the years before her death as she looked noticeably different.
But Trachtenberg insisted everything was fine – and even fired back at nosy critics on social media over a year before her death.
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
- 2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
- 2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
- 2009: Maggie in 17 Again
- 2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
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
In January 2024, an Instagram user commented on her selfie, “Michelle u look sick. R u ok?”
She responded, “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 later wrote, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance.
“I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”
Later that month, she clapped back once again by sharing a stunning picture of herself.
“Fun fact. This is my face,” she wrote.
“Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have you hate? Get a calendar.”
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Trachtenberg started her career as a child star with roles on Disney and Nickelodeon, including the movie Harriet the Spy.
The New York native got her big break in 2000 when she played Dawn, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s titular character, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
She went on to star as Georgina Sparks on the hit show Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012.
Her last acting role was reprising her role as Georgina in Max’s reboot of the show in 2023.
Trachtenberg was known to be dating her talent agent, Jay Cohen, according to a Us Weekly report published in 2020.
Tributes for the star have poured in after her sudden death as fans share their devastation at the loss.
“Rest in peace Georgina Sparks. You definitely were one of my favorite characters on Gossip Girl. XOXO,” one fan wrote on her last Instagram post.
“Seriously this can’t be true!!! RiP beautiful lady,” another added.
A third added, “She was so young!!! Rest in peace. we loved your movies growing up.”
FORMER CO-STARS SPEAK OUT
Trachtenberg’s former co-stars have also shared messages about the late actress on social media.
Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, shared a picture of the actress during her days on the show and said he was “so sad.”
“Sending prayers,” he wrote on Instagram.
Rosie O’Donnell, who starred in Harriet the Spy, said Trachtenberg’s death is “heartbreaking,” according to People.
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years,” she said in a statement.
“I wish I could have helped.”
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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