Rosie O'Donnell has spoken about the struggles Michelle Trachtenberg faced with drug and alcohol addiction prior to her death in February 2025. Trachtenberg, who was 39 at the time of her passing, was found by her mother in her New York City apartment.
Sources previously reported that Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant after experiencing alcohol-related issues and may have been dealing with complications. Her official cause of death was later confirmed as complications from diabetes mellitus.
O'Donnell, who starred with Trachtenberg in the 1996 film "Harriet The Spy," described her death as a "tragedy." She recalled that Trachtenberg, whom she called a "genius child," was in "pretty bad shape" during their final conversations.
"She got into drugs and alcohol," O'Donnell told Variety, noting that she and Trachtenberg had lost touch for a period. "In the last few years, when she was in pretty bad shape, she would call me and we would talk. I also called her mother to find out what was going on, and her mother told me what was happening, and how long it had been happening."
O'Donnell recounted attempts to reconnect with Trachtenberg, including planned meetings that the actress ultimately missed. "We were supposed to see each other three or four times, and she just never showed up," O'Donnell said. "I would call her and go, “Honey, are you heading over?” and she’d go, “Was that today?” She was not in good shape."
Trachtenberg's spokesman confirmed her death at the time, stating, "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time."
In the period before her death, Trachtenberg had a liver transplant, a procedure often associated with severe liver issues, including those stemming from prolonged alcohol consumption. The New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner cited lab results in classifying her death as "natural," attributing it to complications from diabetes mellitus.
Trachtenberg was widely recognized for her roles as Dawn Summers on "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" (2000-2003) and Georgina Sparks on "Gossip Girl" (2008-2012). She began her acting career as a child performer.
