Rosie O’Donnell has shared her grief over the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg, her former co-star in Harriet the Spy.

Following the tragic news that Trachtenberg had passed away at the age of 39 on February 26, O’Donnell expressed her heartbreak in a statement.

“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” O’Donnell, 62, said.

The two worked together on the 1996 Nickelodeon film Harriet the Spy, where a 10-year-old Trachtenberg made her feature film debut.

Co-Stars Reflect on Trachtenberg’s Legacy

J. Smith-Cameron, another Harriet the Spy cast member, also paid tribute.

“I played Harriet’s mother, Mrs. Welch, in the film,” she recalled. “Michelle had been on The Adventures of Pete & Pete, but this was her first major movie role. She was thrilled.”

Smith-Cameron described Trachtenberg as a lively, spirited young actress who was eager to embrace the opportunities that came her way. “She was such a charming little girl,” she added. “Years later, we reconnected online, and she was always so warm. Her passing is shocking and deeply unsettling.”

Authorities Confirm No Suspicious Circumstances

The New York Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City at around 8 a.m. on February 26.

Upon arrival, they found a 39-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency medical responders pronounced her deceased at the scene. Authorities stated that no foul play is suspected, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The New York Post was the first to report the news.

Remembering Trachtenberg’s Career

Trachtenberg was widely recognized for her roles as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. She began her career in commercials before landing roles in The Adventures of Pete & Pete and All My Children.

After gaining attention with Harriet the Spy, she continued to build a successful career with roles in EuroTrip, 17 Again, and Ice Princess. In 2023, she reprised her role as Georgina in the Gossip Girl reboot on Max, which became her final credited appearance.

Her last Instagram post, shared a week before her passing, featured a nostalgic throwback where she playfully wrote about wanting to “look like naughty #tinkerbell.”

Michelle Trachtenberg: Remembering Her Legacy

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in Gossip Girl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Harriet the Spy, has passed away at the age of 39.