Michelle Trachtenberg’s nostalgic final Instagram post days before her death aged 39
The Gossip Girl star was active on social media before her death.
Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenberg published her final Instagram post days before her death aged 39.
Trachtenberg was confirmed dead yesterday after emergency medical services arrived at her home in One Columbus Place, New York reportedly after a call from her mother.
Her death is not being treated as suspicious and the police said the medical examiner will determine the cause of her death.
Trachtenberg posted on Instagram for the last time a week before her death.
She shared a 2013 picture of herself attending the red carpet for National Geographic Channel’s LA premiere of documentary Killing Kennedy about the assassination of John F Kennedy.
Trachtenberg captioned the post: ‘I wanted to look like naughty #tinkerbell #throwback.’
The Gossip Girl star’s last Instagram post was this picture from a 2013 premiere (Picture: Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic) Trachtenberg soared to fame after appearing on TV shows like Buffy (Picture: 20thCentFox/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)Trachtenberg’s former co-stars have led tributes including Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively who remembered her ‘work and huge heart’.
In the hit teen drama, Trachtenberg played young socialite Georgina Sparks of Manhattan’s Upper East Side who created havoc throughout the show, blackmailing Serena van der Woodsen (Lively), among other schemes.
On her Instagram Stories, the It Ends With Us star wrote: ‘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.
‘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.
Lively was among Trachtenberg’s co-stars who paid tribute (Picture: CW Network/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)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.’
Fellow Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass on the show, said he was ‘sending prayers’ in a post to his social media, featuring a picture of Trachtenberg as Sparks.
Their co-star Chace Crawford, who played Nate Archibald, added: ‘Michelle was one of a kind. 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.’
Buffy star Alyson Hannigan posted a string of photos with Trachtenberg from over the years on her own page.
Trachtenberg was reportedly found dead by her mother (Picture: Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)‘I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing,’ she captioned the upload.
‘She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.’
It is believed Trachtenberg, who recently underwent a liver transplant, died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected, according to ABC News.
Her representative also confirmed to Metro: ‘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.’
Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age of three (Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)Born on October 11 1985 in New York, Trachtenberg began her acting career at the age of three, appearing in adverts before landing roles on TV.
In 1992, she secured a recurring role in the children’s sitcom, The Adventures Of Pete & Pete, and in 1996 she starred in the film, Harriet The Spy as an 11-year-old given to spying on neighbours and classmates and concocting outrageous lies to embellish the every day details in her private journal.
She was also known for playing Penny in the 1999 spy film, Inspector Gadget, and Jenny in the 2004 movie, EuroTrip.
In 2005, she starred opposite Cattrall in Ice Princess and was also in the 2009 teen comedy, 17 Again, alongside Zac Efron.
More recently, Trachtenberg reprised her role in the second series of the Gossip Girl sequel.
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