Michelle Trachtenberg, Beloved TV Actor, Dies at 39 Due to Diabetes Complications

Michelle Trachtenberg has tragically passed away at 39 years old due to complications from diabetes, as confirmed by the New York City medical examiner’s office. She was discovered deceased in February, and it was reported that she had recently undergone a liver transplant, although the specific circumstances of her death remained unclear at the time.

Trachtenberg began her career in the entertainment industry at just three years old, initially featuring in commercials before achieving fame as a cast member in Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and the soap opera All My Children. Her breakout role came in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy, where she shared the screen with Rosie O’Donnell and J Smith-Cameron. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2021, she expressed gratitude for her acting opportunities, stating, “There was a lot required of me … I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

The actress also starred in the teen comedy EuroTrip and the critically acclaimed drama Mysterious Skin, directed by Gregg Araki. Reflecting on her role in Mysterious Skin, Trachtenberg recounted a meeting with Araki where she expressed her eagerness to take on challenging material, which she described as incredibly thrilling.

Following her death, tributes poured in from her fellow cast members. Her Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively remembered her as a vibrant presence, stating, “She was electricity … You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.” Smith-Cameron also shared her sentiments, expressing shock and sadness while recalling Trachtenberg’s warmth. Sarah Michelle Gellar, the lead of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared a heartfelt message, saying, “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.”