MICHELLE Trachtenberg’s boyfriend has spoken for the first time following the Gossip Girl’s star death.
Trachtenberg, also known for playing Buffy’s sister in the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on Wednesday.
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The 39-year-old actress is said to have undergone a liver transplant months before her death.
Trachtenberg’s boyfriend Jay Cohen, 63, told DailyMail the family wouldn’t be commenting.
The remarks were his first following her death.
Just weeks before her death, Trachtenberg wished the actress a Happy Valentines Day.
She shared an image of the pair with their faces painted.
They were dressed as Jekyll and Hyde.
Dad-of-two Cohen had a kidney transplant in 1999 and marked the 24th anniversary of the occasion in July 2023.
He shared a picture of him wearing shades and he had a beaming smile.
“Today is the 24th anniversary of my kidney transplant,” the post started.
He revealed that it also coincided with his daughter’s birthday.
After news of Trachtenberg’s death emerged, a clip from 2010 where she spoke about her time in school resurfaced.
Then age 24, she revealed she was bullied by her classmates.
“The kids were cruel,” she told the TV host Cat Greenleaf.
“I had a really really horrible time in school.
“They were terrible and torturous and evil.”
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
- 2005: Casey Carlyle in Ice Princess
- 2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
- 2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
- 2009: Maggie in 17 Again
- 2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
- 2022-2023: Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl reboot
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
The actress believed the reason stemmed from her fame as a child star.
Trachtenberg also opened up on her time at school on social media.
“The kids were cruel,” she revealed in an Instagram post from 2020.
“There is no need to harp on the past.
“But I still have scars from being thrown down stairs and slammed into lockers head first.”
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Tributes to Michelle Trachtenberg
Friends and former co-stars of Trachtenberg’s were quick to post tributes on social media honoring the actress.
David Boreanaz, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a photo of the actress on his Instagram story, commenting, “So very sad…horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.”
Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick posted a photo on his Instagram story of the actress when she played Georgina Sparks. He wrote, “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in 2005 film Ice Princess, wrote, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Rosie O’Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, also said the news was “heartbreaking.”
“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she said, according to People.
James Marsters, another co-star on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on Instagram to honor the late actress. “My heart is heavy today,” he wrote.
“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.”
Fellow Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson posted a farewell message to the actress and reminded others to check in on their friends.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!” he wrote.
Melissa Joan Hart, Trachtenberg’s Clarissa Explains it All co-star, said she was “heartbroken” over her death alongside a clip of the show.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,” she said. “So young, so talented and so sweet!”
“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.”
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