CELEBRITY tributes have poured in for Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg after he tragic death.
A number of famous faces have shared their heartbreak over the loss of the talented actress, who was sadly passed away aged 39 – and now several of Michelle’s Gossip Girl co-stars have paid tribute.
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Michelle’s body was found in her New York City apartment on Wednesday, just days after she posted selfies that left fans concerned for her health.
The actress was found at around 8 am at a building in Manhattan, New York City, located near Central Park, by her mother, police sources told ABC News.
Some of Michelle’s Gossip Girl co-stars have paid tribute to the late actress since the news of her passing broke.
GOSSIP GIRL CAST PAY TRIBUTE
Blake Lively shared a snap of herself with Michelle from the their Gossip Girl days, and described the late star as having an “electric” personality.
MORE ON MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG
She then penned: “Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, 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.
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“Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear.”
She added: “The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Chace Crawford is another Gossip Girl co-star who has paid tribute to Michelle, with him writing: “Michelle was one of a kind.
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“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.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Rutherford shared a snap of Michelle and simply added some white heart emojis and a dove emoji,
Ed Westwick also took to social media to remember Michelle.
He shared a snap of her and penned: “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers.”
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And Taylor Momsen is another Gossip Girl star who has paid tribute.
“In shock,” she began her moving post about Michelle in the wake of her passing.
She went on: “When I met this girl 17 years ago I knew we’d be friends… she was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f*** and filled with fire.
“She was simply awesome… I will miss you every day my love… 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.”
She added: “I hope you’re f***ing up heaven for both of us… My heart is on the floor. I’m still in shock but I needed to honor her, she deserves more than this.”
CELEBRITIES REACT WITH TRIBUTES
Leading the tributes when the news broke saw Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall also share a touching message.
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Kim wrote: “This is Heartbreaking. So talented, much too young,” she commented under Variety’s post.
She added: “RIP Sweet Beauty.“
Kim then shared a photo of them starring together in 2005 movie the Ice Princess and captioned it: “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire star Mara Wilson shared a sweet tribute to the late actress.
She wrote: “My heart is breaking for my childhood friend.” along with a photo of Michelle.
“Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle.”
Sabrina The Teenage Witch actress Melissa Joan Hart paid tribute to Melissa.
The pair starred together in 90s sitcom Clarissa Explains It All.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg!! So young, so talented and so sweet!” she wrote.
“Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll.”
She continued, “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.”
BUFFY CO-STAR BREAKS SILENCE
Michelle’s former Buffy co-star James Marsters called her a “beautiful soul” and said it was the “greatest loss”.
He wrote: “My heart is heavy today. 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.”
He 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.”
Michelle Trachtenberg’s career
Michelle Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, starring in over 62 movies and TV shows before her sudden death at age 39.
Notable roles throughout her career include:
- 1994: Nona Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete
- 1996: Harriet in Harriet the Spy
- 1997: Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- 1999: Penny Brown in Inspector Gadget
- 2001: Hosted and narrated Truth or Scare
- 2004: Jenny in Euro Trip
- 2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
- 2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
- 2009: Maggie in 17 Again
- 2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
The star also made cameo appearances in major TV shows:
- 2006: Lisa Tyler in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
- 2006: Melinda Bardach in House
- 2013: Lily Lockhart in NCIS: Los Angeles
- 2013: Diane Turner in Criminal Minds
Rosie O’Donnell, who was in Harriet the Spy, said in a statement that Trachtenberg’s death is “heartbreaking,” according to People.
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said.
David Boreanaz, who shared the screen with Trachtenberg in Buffy, also offered his condolences.
“So very sad […] horrible news,” he wrote on Instagram.
“RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
MICHELLE’S DEATH
Photos from Trachtenberg’s luxury Manhattan high-rise show two forensic vehicles and a government van parked outside
Her cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, but cops don’t believe it was suspicious, sources said.
Sources close to the actress have claimed that she could have died from natural causes following a recent liver transplant, ABC affiliate KFSN reported.
According to the insider, she may have suffered fatal side effects from the invasive surgery.
Although Trachtenberg hasn’t been as active on screen, she always kept fans up to date on social media with regular Instagram posts.
Last week, Trachtenberg shared a throwback look of her’s from an awards show with the caption, “I wanted to look like naughty.”
PRIOR CONCERN
But recent pictures of the actress have sparked concern among fans, as they regularly commented to make sure she was OK.
Just days before her reported death, she snapped a selfie and added the caption “the warmth before the storm.”
Fans quickly flooded her comments with concern, saying, “As long as it isn’t a heavy storm.”
“Why do you look so different now,” wrote one follower as another said, “What happened?”
“You are not wearing black […] are you OK?” a different fan said.
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