Although Michelle Trachtenberg had a successful career in Hollywood, she slowly distanced herself from the spotlight in recent years.
Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead by her mother in New York. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl and 17 Again, passed away at 39 in New York City. Her body was found by her mother and it’s believed that complications from a liver transplant she received last year may have taken her life. Although Trachtenberg had a successful career in Hollywood, she slowly distanced herself from the spotlight in recent years, as she had little to no involvement in major projects. While a friend of the late actress recently described her as a “kind, supportive and loving” person, Trachtenberg struggled to find her place in the entertainment industry, just like many child artists.
Speaking with People, the friend said, “She just had the story of childhood stardom. She had a couple roles throughout the last decade, but nothing of real note. She really pulled back from Hollywood [in] the last eight years. She was a great girl who just never got her footing, just like many childhood stars.”
As she tried to figure out her next career move, Michelle Trachtenberg “was a recluse [and] didn’t have many friends.” Still, the friend claimed that the actress “was an overall great girl. She was always kind, supportive and loving. It’s so sad. It really is. She was an amazing person.”
Another source shared that Trachtenberg was feeling “really really down emotionally” and had spoken to friends about her struggles in the last year. She was seriously ill and did not hide her health issues from her close friends and family members. Her appearance had changed, as she looked “pale, gaunt, very thin and dealing with health issues.” While her friend shared that the actress felt sick on most days, she did not provide more details about her condition.
As per Daily Mail reports, Michelle Trachtenberg was last seen at Sartiano’s restaurant in New York just a week before she passed away. Someone who saw her at the eatery mentioned that the actress was very weak and unwell. She looked extremely thin and was struggling to walk down the stairs. Her overall condition did not seem good and her mood was low during the outing.
Michelle Trachtenberg was last seen on screen in 2023 when she returned to play Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl reboot.
