Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Police arrived in response to a 911 call on Wednesday morning and discovered the actress unresponsive.
TV and film actress Michelle Trachtenberg, widely recognized for her roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 39.
The New York Police Department confirmed to The New York Times that officers responded to a 911 call that morning and found her unresponsive in a Manhattan apartment.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” authorities stated, adding that no foul play is suspected.
Emergency responders at the scene pronounced her dead.
Sources indicate that Trachtenberg, who reportedly underwent a recent liver transplant, is believed to have passed away from natural causes.
Her death is not considered suspicious, and the exact cause will be determined by the medical examiner.
According to Page Six, Trachtenberg made headlines last year when she responded to critics who voiced concerns about her health, claiming she appeared unwell in photos she had shared.
“Explain to me how I look sick,” Trachtenberg responded to one commenter. “Did you lose track of time and forget that I’m not 14? I’m 38. It’s sad that you would leave such a comment.”
In another post, she addressed similar remarks about her appearance, stating, “I’ve received several comments recently about how I look. I’ve never had plastic surgery. I’m happy and healthy. Check yourself, haters.”
Trachtenberg first rose to fame in 1996 when she starred as Harriet in the children’s film Harriet the Spy, alongside Rosie O’Donnell, who played her nanny, Ole Golly.
She was also known for her roles in films such as the 2005 family movie Ice Princess and the 2009 romantic comedy 17 Again, starring Zac Efron and Matthew Perry.
Following news of her passing, tributes poured in across social media.
Rosie O’Donnell, who had worked with Trachtenberg, expressed her sorrow in a statement, hinting at regret over not being able to help her.
“Heartbreaking. I loved her very much,” O’Donnell wrote. “She struggled over the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
Bronwen Hughes, the director of Harriet the Spy, reflected on Trachtenberg’s talent, calling her a remarkable discovery.
“Michelle was like a lightning bolt of a casting discovery. She had fire, she had spark, she had truth, and she had Harriet’s conviction—her sense of self,” Hughes said.
“No one else walked into the room like that,” she added. “She had that natural acting ability that can’t be taught—it was innate, and that’s a rare find.”
