The world is mourning the loss of Michelle Trachtenberg. The actor, known for her roles in beloved shows like Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died on Feb. 26 at 39 years old. She was found in her New York apartment and died of natural causes, with no foul play suspected. Her cause of death was later determined as “complications of diabetes mellitus,” the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to NBC News.
After the news broke, Trachtenberg’s former co-stars and celebrity friends took to social media to pay their respects and share sentimental messages. From her Buffy and Gossip Girl co-stars to celeb mentors like Kim Cattrall and Rosie O’Donnell, many stars gave tributes. Read their reactions below.
Leighton Meester
Gossip Girl star Meester remembered Trachtenberg in an interview with Flaunt Magazine. “It’s devastating,” she said. “She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It’s very, very sad for everyone who knew her.”
Penn Badgley
Nearly two months after her death, Gossip Girl star Badgley paid tribute to Trachtenberg at the premiere of the final season of his Netflix show, You.
“What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh,” he told E! “She was really joyous. We all have our ups and downs, our lights and shadows, but she had this — I mean, she was mature, but she had this childlike, joyous laugh.”
Blake Lively
Gossip Girl star Lively posted an emotional letter paying tribute to Trachtenberg on her Instagram Story, sharing a photo of the two from their first-ever meeting. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%,” she wrote.
“She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke,” Lively continued. “She faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Lively remembered how Trachtenberg would do small acts of kindness for her scene partners, calling her a “kind person, through and through,” and alluding to a lost connection with her. “Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend,” she wrote. “To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Gellar, who played the titular role on Buffy, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, writing a sentimental Buffy Season 5 quote and redirecting it toward her onscreen sister. “Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you,” she wrote with three heartbreak emojis.
Kenan Thompson
Thompson mourned the loss of his fellow Nickelodeon OG on Instagram, sharing a throwback photo of themselves as children, plus a clip of Trachtenberg co-hosting a slime-filled wrestling match. “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” he wrote. “She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!”
Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie, whose friendship with Trachtenberg was documented on the actor’s Instagram account, shared a throwback photo and paid tribute to her “special friend” on her Instagram Story.
“You are so loved and missed,” Eugenie wrote. “Thank you for so many memories of laughter and fun. You were so thoughtful and generous and soooo funny. My favourite was listening to you order food, always done with precision so you got exactly what we all wanted. I’m thinking of you up there friend, of your spirit that was so bright and your joy you brought so many.”
Taylor Momsen
Gossip Girl star Momsen shared memories of her friend on Instagram, stating that she was “in shock” about her death. “When I met this girl 17 years ago I knew we’d be friends,” she wrote. “She was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f*ck, and filled with fire. I’ll miss our late night calls that no one should ever hear but us. She was always in my corner.”
Momsen then wrote a note directly to Trachtenberg. “I will miss you everyday my love,” she said, in part. “I think we truly understood each other and I am so grateful to have had a friend like you in my life for so long. You were a true friend to me which is a rarity in this world and I can’t believe I won’t hear your voice again. I hope you’re f*cking up heaven for both of us.”
Kim Cattrall
Cattrall, who played Trachtenberg’s ice skating coach in Ice Princess, shared a throwback photo from the film, showing the two hanging by the ice rink. “Rest in peace sweet Michelle,” she captioned the post with a heartbreak emoji.
Chace Crawford
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Crawford shared an Instagram slideshow of throwback photos of the two, including a snapshot with Crawford sporting a fake baby bump, and paid tribute to her in the caption.
“Michelle was one of a kind,” he wrote. “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.”
Rosie O’Donnell
O’Donnell, who starred in Trachtenberg’s 1996 debut film Harriet the Spy, gave a simple statement to Just Jared, calling her death “heartbreaking” through a representative. “I loved her very much,” she said. “She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
Ed Westwick
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Westwick reacted to her death in a statement to People. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Michelle but I remember a talented, sharp, funny and warm soul,” he said. “Thinking of her and the family. So sad.’”
He also paid tribute on his Instagram Stories, sharing a throwback photo of her in character as Georgina Sparks. “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers,” he wrote, along with a white heart emoji.
Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage
Gossip Girl creators Schwartz and Savage released a statement to Today, saying they were “deeply saddened” and paying tribute to Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl legacy.
“Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented,” they wrote. “Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
Chris Colfer
Glee star Colfer reflected on his friendship with Trachtenberg in an Instagram tribute. “Michelle was the absolute sweetest and one of the most supportive people I knew,” he wrote. “I’m so lucky I got to be her friend.”
Alyson Hannigan
Hannigan shared throwback photos with Trachtenberg from their Buffy days on Instagram. “I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing,” she captioned the post. “She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
Jessica Szohr
Szohr, who played Vanessa on Gossip Girl, posted several photos with Trachtenberg and their former castmates on Instagram, as she paid tribute in her caption.
“This amazing woman bursts onto the scene with energy that instantly brings a smile to your face,” she wrote. “She’s not only a true professional, but she’s also the perfect antidote to anyone who takes life a bit too seriously. We shared countless laughs during filming, over the phone… Her captivating stories are so entertaining that you can’t help but want to hear more!”
David Boreanaz
Trachtenberg’s Buffy co-star Boreanaz shared Deadline’s article about her death on his Instagram Story, adding his tribute to the post. “So very sad… horrible news,” he wrote. “RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
James Marsters
Marsters, who played Spike on Buffy, shared a statement with People saying his “heart is heavy” after Trachtenberg’s death. “We have lost a beautiful soul,” he wrote. “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.”
Melissa Joan Hart
Taking to Instagram, Hart shared a clip of Trachtenberg guest-starring on Clarissa Explains It All back when they were both ’90s child stars, saying she was “heartbroken” by her death.
“So young, so talented and so sweet!” she wrote. “The episode was an idea I had about babysitting [being] a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.”
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