Michelle Trachtenberg distanced herself from the spotlight in the years before her sudden and shocking death this week. But why? A friend is speaking out.
Perezcious readers know that the 39-year-old actress had a solid career years ago, starring in popular shows and movies like Harriet the Spy, Ice Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl. But after her heyday, it really fell off. She had a couple projects in 2016 — as a guest judge on Chopped Junior and a role on the television film Sister Cities! A few years later we saw her appear on two episodes of the Gossip Girl reboot, where she reprised her role of Georgina Sparks in 2022 and 2023, and portrayed Dr. Wagner on the animated Harriet the Spy series two years ago, but that was pretty much it! Nothing but small legacy roles for nearly a decade.
Related: Michelle Trachtenberg’s Boyfriend Was ‘Huge Support’ To Her Before Death
Now a friend of hers told People on Thursday that Michelle had taken “a step away from Hollywood” over the last eight years or so. It wasn’t entirely by choice, though. According to the source, she struggled to find her footing in the business as an adult:
“She just had the story of childhood stardom. She had a couple roles throughout the last decade, but nothing of real note. She really pulled back from Hollywood [in] the last eight years. She was a great girl who just never got her footing, just like many childhood stars.”
It’s such a shame because Michelle really was a great actress! She played so many iconic characters over the years, and such a variety! It would have been nice to see her in more.
But what also may not have helped when it came to her career lately? She had been struggling with her health. As we previously reported, the 17 Again star may have suffered from complications after undergoing a liver transplant recently. Insiders for People claimed Michelle “told friends she was struggling” with “health issues.” Apparently, she was so sick that “she couldn’t walk down the stairs” during one of her final nights out at Sartiano in New York City. So heartbreaking.
Michelle’s pal claimed she was ill “off and on,” but would not go into her health struggles much — other than to say “that she had been sick.” And while dealing with this chapter in her life and career, she may have been suffering without a large support system around her. The source noted that the EuroTrip star “was a recluse [and] didn’t have many friends.” Oof. They added:
“She was an overall great girl. She was always kind, supportive and loving. It’s so sad. It really is. She was an amazing person.”
Based on all the tributes over the past few days, Michelle was loved by so many people. She definitely will be missed by those who knew her and fans who have watched her on their screens for years. Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments.
[Image via Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram, Warner Bros. Television/Netflix]
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