Gossip Girl Creators Honor Michelle Trachtenberg After Her Death
Those touched by Michelle Trachtenberg’s life and work are sharing tributes.
After the 39-year-old actress, known for her roles as titular Harriet the Spy, Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl, was found dead in her New York apartment Feb. 26, writers from the latter series shared a touching tribute.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing,” Gossip Girl showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage shared in a statement to NBC News. “Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. 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.”
The writers emphasized, “She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
In the hours since Michelle’s passing was confirmed to E! News by New York authorities, stars close to her have shared their condolences and praise for her on social media.
Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson, a fellow Nickelodeon alum, wrote in an Instagram post Feb. 26, “Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!"
Meanwhile, Kim Cattrall, who played Michelle’s mentor in Disney’s Ice Princess, shared a screengrab of the duo from the 2005 movie to her own Instagram, adding in the caption, “Rest in peace, sweet Michelle.”
Michelle began her professional career in Hollywood at just 5 years old when she appeared on an episode of Law & Order. From there, she landed her first big role in Nickelodeon’s Adventures of Pete & Pete in 1993, before landing her first title—and perhaps most iconic—role as Harriet the Spy in 1996.
As for her role as villain Georgina in Gossip Girl, Michelle had previously gushed about playing the self-proclaimed evil heiress in the series, which ran from 2008 to 2012, calling the writing “fantastic.”
“It’s definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl,” Michelle told Seventeen in 2009 of playing Georgina. "I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don’t want to play villains or evil characters.”
Keep reading for more stars sharing their love for Michelle…
(NBC News and E! News are both a part of the NBCUniversal family.)
"My heart is heavy today," the Buffy the Vampire Slayer wrote on Instagram. "We have lost a beautiful soul. 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."
James continued, "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."
The Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."
The Nickelodeon star wrote of his fellow alum, "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!"
Michelle's Harriet the Spy costar told Us Weekly, "Heartbreaking. I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," she wrote of her former costar. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."
Michelle's ex-boyfriend, whom she dated between 2004 and 2006, penned a tribute on social media.
"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing," he wrote. "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:)"
He added, "My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!"
The Halloweentown alum expressed her grief with a simple broken heart emoji.
"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Melissa wrote on Instagram, alognside a throwback clip from Clarissa Explains It All. "So young, so talented and so sweet!"
She added of the clip, "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."
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," the Gossip Girl creators and showrunners shared with NBC News. "Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. 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."
The pair continued, "She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
"Oh Michy…," Melissa wrote on Instagram in tribute to her A Holiday for Love costar. "And we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl"
"So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on his Feb. 25 Instagram Story. "Sending prayers."
He closed his message with the praying hands and white heart emojis.
"So very sad..." Michelle's Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar wrote on social media of her passing. "Horrible News. RIP and prayers to her and her family."
eonline
