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Rosie O'Donnell Mourns Late Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, Highlights Health Struggles
In a July 16 interview with Variety—later reposted by E! Online—Rosie O'Donnell reflected on the loss of her former Harriet the Spy co‑star, Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February 2025 at age 39. "It was a tragedy," O'Donnell said, underscoring how the actress’s death still reverberates in her mind.
Trachtenberg began her career as a child actor in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy before finding broader recognition as Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl. In 2024 she underwent a liver transplant and continued to work in television and film until her death.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Trachtenberg died of complications from diabetes mellitus; toxicology reports found no substances that could have contributed, and no foul play was suspected.
O'Donnell described Trachtenberg as "a real genius child who was able to memorize anything, pick up her lines, you could improvise with her, and she was connected and right there." She added that the actress was "not in good shape" in the years leading up to her passing and alleged that she had struggled with drug and alcohol use: "She got into drugs and alcohol, I believe," she said. O'Donnell recalled that in the last few years, when Trachtenberg was in pretty bad shape, she would call her and the two would talk.
The comedian also recounted attempts to meet with Trachtenberg, noting that the actress often missed scheduled visits. "We made plans to get together multiple times over the years, but she never showed up," O'Donnell said, describing the frustration of calling Trachtenberg’s mother for updates and learning of the actress’s deteriorating health.
O'Donnell compared Trachtenberg’s situation to that of Whitney Houston, whose long‑term addiction contributed to her 2012 death, and warned that addiction can be fatal. "With most people suffering from addiction, their loved ones think that they'll survive it, but you can die from your addiction to drugs or alcohol," she said. She also mentioned her daughter Chelsea, who has struggled with drugs and is now sober.
Medical reports confirm that Trachtenberg’s death was natural. The medical examiner’s office stated that the cause was complications of diabetes; toxicology tests did not reveal any substances that could have contributed to her death. The absence of an autopsy was noted, but the examiner’s findings were considered conclusive.
Trachtenberg’s passing has prompted tributes from former co‑stars and industry colleagues. News outlets such as CNN, ABC, and Page Six reported on her death and highlighted her career achievements. Her work on Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl remains part of her legacy.
O'Donnell expressed regret that she could not do more for Trachtenberg, saying, "I tried to help her as much as I could, but she was inaccessible toward the end, and it was tragic." She remains a vocal advocate for mental‑health awareness, drawing on her personal experiences.
The entertainment community continues to mourn Trachtenberg’s loss. No legal proceedings or investigations are pending, and her estate is handling the distribution of her works. O'Donnell’s interview underscores the importance of recognizing health challenges among public figures and the need for support systems.
The story of Trachtenberg’s career and health struggles serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by child actors and the lasting impact of chronic illnesses such as diabetes. The industry is watching closely as more public figures disclose their health battles, hoping to foster greater understanding and early intervention.
Trachtenberg began her career as a child actor in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy before finding broader recognition as Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl. In 2024 she underwent a liver transplant and continued to work in television and film until her death.
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Trachtenberg died of complications from diabetes mellitus; toxicology reports found no substances that could have contributed, and no foul play was suspected.
O'Donnell described Trachtenberg as "a real genius child who was able to memorize anything, pick up her lines, you could improvise with her, and she was connected and right there." She added that the actress was "not in good shape" in the years leading up to her passing and alleged that she had struggled with drug and alcohol use: "She got into drugs and alcohol, I believe," she said. O'Donnell recalled that in the last few years, when Trachtenberg was in pretty bad shape, she would call her and the two would talk.
The comedian also recounted attempts to meet with Trachtenberg, noting that the actress often missed scheduled visits. "We made plans to get together multiple times over the years, but she never showed up," O'Donnell said, describing the frustration of calling Trachtenberg’s mother for updates and learning of the actress’s deteriorating health.
O'Donnell compared Trachtenberg’s situation to that of Whitney Houston, whose long‑term addiction contributed to her 2012 death, and warned that addiction can be fatal. "With most people suffering from addiction, their loved ones think that they'll survive it, but you can die from your addiction to drugs or alcohol," she said. She also mentioned her daughter Chelsea, who has struggled with drugs and is now sober.
Medical reports confirm that Trachtenberg’s death was natural. The medical examiner’s office stated that the cause was complications of diabetes; toxicology tests did not reveal any substances that could have contributed to her death. The absence of an autopsy was noted, but the examiner’s findings were considered conclusive.
Trachtenberg’s passing has prompted tributes from former co‑stars and industry colleagues. News outlets such as CNN, ABC, and Page Six reported on her death and highlighted her career achievements. Her work on Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl remains part of her legacy.
O'Donnell expressed regret that she could not do more for Trachtenberg, saying, "I tried to help her as much as I could, but she was inaccessible toward the end, and it was tragic." She remains a vocal advocate for mental‑health awareness, drawing on her personal experiences.
The entertainment community continues to mourn Trachtenberg’s loss. No legal proceedings or investigations are pending, and her estate is handling the distribution of her works. O'Donnell’s interview underscores the importance of recognizing health challenges among public figures and the need for support systems.
The story of Trachtenberg’s career and health struggles serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by child actors and the lasting impact of chronic illnesses such as diabetes. The industry is watching closely as more public figures disclose their health battles, hoping to foster greater understanding and early intervention.
