Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death at Age 39: Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Gilbert and More

Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death at Age 39: Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Gilbert and More

Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Michelle Trachtenberg.

The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum was found unconscious inside of her Midtown West apartment in New York City, police sources confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 26. She was 39 years old.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the actress’ rep told Us Weekly in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

While the cause of her death is not yet apparent, the incident is not believed to be suspicious. (The New York Post was first to report the news.)

The news comes one year after the actress responded to users’ comments questioning her appearance in recent social media posts. “Explain to me how I look sick,” she wrote in response to one follower in January 2024. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”

In a separate Instagram post that month, Trachtenberg wrote, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”

Trachtenberg first rose to fame as a child star in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. Her Hollywood career continued when she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Sarah Michelle Gellar’s sister, Dawn. She also became a fan-favorite guest star on Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks.

Keep reading to see how Hollywood stars are paying tribute to and remembering Trachtenberg:

Rosie O’Donnell

“Heartbreaking,” she said in a statement to Us when honoring her Harriet the Spy costar. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”

Melissa Gilbert

“Oh Michy…and we lived so close to one another,” the actress wrote via Instagram when paying tribute to her costar from the 1996 film A Holiday for Love. “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl.”

Ed Westwick

“So sad to hear of the passing of @MichelleTrachtenberg,” the Gossip Girl actor wrote via his Instagram Story alongside a photo of his costar. “Sending prayers.”

David Boreanaz

“So very sad… horrible news,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor wrote via his Instagram Story. “R.I.P. and prayers to her and her family.”

Kim Cattrall

“Rest in peace sweet Michelle 💔,” the actress wrote via Instagram with a photo from their experience filming the 2005 Disney movie, Ice Princess.

Melissa Joan Hart

“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of@michelletrachtenberg!!” the actress wrote via Instagram. “So young, so talented and so sweet! Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll. 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.#gonetoosoon #RIP #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople.”

James Marsters

“My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor wrote via Instagram. “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.My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.”

Kenan Thompson

“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” the Saturday Night Live star wrote via Instagram with a throwback clip from the 1999 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. “She was my friend and now she rests!! 🙏🏾 Check on your people!!! ❤️

Chace Crawford

Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death at Age 39: Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Gilbert and More:

“Michelle was one of a kind,” the Gossip Girl star, who played Nate Archibald, wrote via Instagram. “I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you ❤️.”

Kimberly J. Brown

The Halloweentown alum expressed her sadness over Trachtenberg’s death by sharing a throwback photo of the actress with a broken heart emoji.

Iris Apatow

“I watched her through every stage of my life,” the actress wrote via her Instagram Story. “She brought me a lot of joy when things were hard — I’m so heartbroken. Rest in peace.”

Shawn Ashmore

“Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing,” The Rookie star wrote via Instagram about his ex-girlfriend. “She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a Law and Order SVU marathon:) My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!”

Chris Colfer

“Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew,” the Glee star wrote via Instagram. “I’m so lucky I got to be her friend. 💔”

Matt McGorry

Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death at Age 39: Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Gilbert and More:

Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Michelle Trachtenberg.

The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum was found unconscious inside of her Midtown West apartment in New York City, police sources confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 26. She was 39 years old.

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“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” the actress’ rep told Us Weekly in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

While the cause of her death is not yet apparent, the incident is not believed to be suspicious. (The New York Post was first to report the news.)

The news comes one year after the actress responded to users’ comments questioning her appearance in recent social media posts. “Explain to me how I look sick,” she wrote in response to one follower in January 2024. “Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14. I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment.”

In a separate Instagram post that month, Trachtenberg wrote, “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”

Trachtenberg first rose to fame as a child star in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. Her Hollywood career continued when she joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Sarah Michelle Gellar’s sister, Dawn. She also became a fan-favorite guest star on Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks.

Rosie O’Donnell

“Heartbreaking,” she said in a statement to Us when honoring her Harriet the Spy costar. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”

Melissa Gilbert

“Oh Michy…and we lived so close to one another,” the actress wrote via Instagram when paying tribute to her costar from the 1996 film A Holiday for Love. “My heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl.”

Ed Westwick

“So sad to hear of the passing of @MichelleTrachtenberg,” the Gossip Girl actor wrote via his Instagram Story alongside a photo of his costar. “Sending prayers.” 

David Boreanaz 

“So very sad… horrible news,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor wrote via his Instagram Story. “R.I.P. and prayers to her and her family.”

Kim Cattrall

“Rest in peace sweet Michelle 💔,” the actress wrote via Instagram with a photo from their experience filming the 2005 Disney movie, Ice Princess.

Melissa Joan Hart

“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of  @michelletrachtenberg!!” the actress wrote via Instagram. “So young, so talented and so sweet! Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll. 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.  #gonetoosoon #RIP #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople.” 

James Marsters

“My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor wrote via Instagram. “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. My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.” 

Kenan Thompson

“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” the Saturday Night Live star wrote via Instagram with a throwback clip from the 1999 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. “She was my friend and now she rests!! 🙏🏾 Check on your people!!! ❤️

Chace Crawford

“Michelle was one of a kind,” the Gossip Girl star, who played Nate Archibald, wrote via Instagram. “I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you ❤️.”

Kimberly J. Brown

The Halloweentown alum expressed her sadness over Trachtenberg’s death by sharing a throwback photo of the actress with a broken heart emoji.

Iris Apatow

“I watched her through every stage of my life,” the actress wrote via her Instagram Story. “She brought me a lot of joy when things were hard — I’m so heartbroken. Rest in peace.” 

Shawn Ashmore 

“Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing,” The Rookie star wrote via Instagram about his ex-girlfriend. “She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a Law and Order SVU marathon:) My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!” 

Chris Colfer

“Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew,” the Glee star wrote via Instagram. “I’m so lucky I got to be her friend. 💔” 

Matt McGorry

“She had a fierceness but also a deep caring and softness with those she trusted,” the How to Get Away With Murder actor wrote via Instagram about his friend. “She always stood up for her friends, was incredibly talented and had the darkest sense of humor. She had the spirit of a true New Yorker. Michelle and I were really close but lost touch for quite a while. I was always sure that we’d cross paths again and I was looking forward to meeting as the people we’d grown to become. You will be missed by so many. Love you, Michelle. 💜”

Gregory Arlt

“She was, indeed, but a tween when my makeup brushes first touched her face. It was the beginning of relationship laced with creativity, endless laugh, and the quest for the perfect pale foundation (we figured that last one out!),” the celebrity makeup artist shared via Instagram when discussing his friend and client, Trachtenberg. “ Oh, Michelle… I cannot imagine a world — my world — without your acerbic wit, fierce intellect, doe-eyed beauty and great talent.”

He continued, “Please save a seat at the makeup counter for me, my friend. @michelletrachtenberg 🤍.”

Emma Caulfield

“I’m so sorry your bright light died so young,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star wrote via her Instagram Story. “Our Buffy family lost a little sister today…Rest in peace lovely Mist Mist. You were loved.”