Latest news with #AdventuresofPete&Pete
Los Angeles Times
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death revealed after family objected to coroner autopsy
Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death has come to light more than a month after the 'Ice Princess' and 'Harriet the Spy' star died in her New York City apartment. New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Wednesday that it determined Trachtenberg died of complications of diabetes mellitus, The Times has confirmed. Diabetes mellitus, according to Mayo Clinic, refers to a group of diseases that impact how the body uses blood sugar. The office did not disclose details about the specific complications that led to Trachtenberg's death. Officials also deemed her manner of death natural. Trachtenberg, who also was known for her work on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Gossip Girl,' died Feb. 26. The actor was found dead in her luxury apartment by her mother, police confirmed to The Times in February. She was 39. Days after Trachtenberg's sudden death, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the actor's official cause and manner of death would remain undetermined, citing her family's request. At the time, for religious reasons, Trachtenberg's loved ones objected to having an autopsy performed on the 'Adventures of Pete & Pete' actor. Trachtenberg, the child of immigrants who grew up in Brooklyn speaking English and Russian, is said to have been Jewish. In that faith, autopsies generally are not performed because bodies are believed to be sacred and should not be tampered with after death. '[A]bsent any suspicion of criminality around the circumstances of the death, the medical examiner will honor the objection,' a spokesperson said in a February statement. The office did not immediately respond to The Times' inquiry about whether it performed an autopsy to determine Trachtenberg's cause and manner of death, but said it had reached its results 'following review of laboratory test results.' Shortly after news of Trachtenberg's death spread, a number of her co-stars paid tribute on social media. Embattled 'It Ends With Us' star Blake Lively, who shared the screen with Trachtenberg on 'Gossip Girl,' said the New York City native 'was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.' Sarah Michelle Gellar, Trachtenberg's on-screen older sister in 'Buffy,' shared a collection of photos from their time together on the series. 'Listen. I love you. I will always love you,' Gellar said in her caption. Actors Ed Westwick, David Boreanaz, Kenan Thompson, Kim Cattrall and Melissa Gilbert also were among the actors who paid tribute to Trachtenberg. Former Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.
Buzz Feed
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Mara Wilson Shared How Michelle Trachtenberg Was "Misunderstood" As A Child Star In A Heartfelt Essay
You know Mara Wilson. She's known for her roles in '90s classics like Mrs. Doubtfire and 1996's Matilda. In a March 18 essay for Vulture, Mara remembered her friendship with the late actor Michelle Trachtenberg and the "bullying" she endured as a child actor. Michelle died on Feb. 26 at the age of 39. Like Mara, Michelle was a '90s child star in movies like Harriet the Spy and Inspector Gadget, the latter a role they had both auditioned for. Mara conversed with Michelle's child co-stars and friends in her essay, remembering that she and the Adventures of Pete & Pete star became fast friends as child actors while a few years apart. "Not only was she nice, I realized, but she was remarkably intelligent," Mara wrote. "Yet she managed not to be condescending and didn't try to impress with big words, the way other kids (including me) might have. She was smart, but she was also self-possessed, and didn't need to show off." "We had the kind of closeness that grows between girls who've spent a short but intense amount of time together, like summer-camp friends," she said. "After the press for Matilda and Harriet the Spy died down, though, we saw each other less and less, and I worried about when I'd see her again." Luckily, Michelle eventually moved to Burbank, and they became middle school classmates in Los Angeles. Despite her popularity as a child star and her role in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Michelle asked Mara in 1999, "Are the kids here mean to you?" Tears in her eyes, she said, "Because they are to me. They call me Harriet the Slut, Harriet the Bitch, Harriet the Bitchy Spy … and so much worse. They never stop." Mara recalled defending Michelle against accusations that she was a mean girl, saying, "She's not. I knew her. She's a sweetheart." She recognized that Michelle's presumed "meanness" might've been a defense against the bullying. "It wasn't just that she was being bullied; it was that there wasn't any way she could get them not to hate her," Mara continued. "So much of being a child actor is about making everyone happy. It felt cruelly ironic to be so hated when our raison d'être was getting people to like us." Mara explained when she started high school, she found herself "in the same place Michelle had been." She "was being bullied at school — both for having been a child actor and just for being an awkward teenager — and I felt completely isolated: The people-pleasing had made me resentful, and the resentment made me bitter and furious. Now everyone was calling me a bitch." Mara acknowledged that although they never had a chance to talk as adults, Michelle must have endured so much from "the cruel misogyny of the 2000s and the early 2010s" as she starred in more films and TV shows. "We never talked about it, but I know that if I did, she did too. I don't know how she got through it," Mara said. Alberto E. Rodriguez / FilmMagic An older Michelle starred in more movies like EuropTrip, Mysterious Skin, and the TV show Gossip Girl from 2008-2012. When Mara found out Michelle died, she recalled a sense of regret they drifted apart over the years, writing, "I always thought I would get the chance to see her again, to tell her how much I'd always looked up to her. To tell her the times we spent together as children were some of the best of my life." Jemal Countess / Getty Images
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Trachtenberg's Co-stars Break Silence Following Her Shocking Death: 'I Wish I Could Have Helped'
Michelle Trachtenberg's friends and colleagues are reacting to the news of her sudden death. The actress' co-stars and people she has worked with in the past opened up about her in statements on her passing. Michelle Trachtenberg was pronounced dead after emergency services responded to a 911 call at 8 am on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 1 Columbus Place in New York. Following the news of Trachtenberg's passing at the age of 39 on February 26, O'Donnell expressed her heartbreak in a statement. She shared her deep affection for Trachtenberg and acknowledged the struggles she faced in recent years. In her words: "I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped." In 1996, O'Donnell, now 62, shared the screen with Trachtenberg in the film "Harriet the Spy." This movie marked Trachtenberg's debut in big-screen acting when she was only 10 years old. Another cast member, Cameron, reflected on her experience working with the late actress in "Harriet the Spy," where she played Harriet's mother, Mrs. Welch. She recalled that while Trachtenberg had previously appeared in the Nickelodeon show "Adventures of Pete & Pete," this role marked her first leading film appearance, and she was filled with excitement. Cameron raved about the late actress's natural exuberance, which was amplified as she navigated the challenges of her new role. Years later, they reconnected briefly on social media, and Cameron remembered her as always warm and charming. The news of Trachtenberg's passing left her feeling shocked and unsettled, per PEOPLE. As soon as the officers rushed down the apartment following the 911 call, they met an unresponsive and unconscious Trachtenberg. Despite the severity of the situation, law enforcement confirmed that "criminality is not suspected." Trachtenberg is known for her roles as Dawn Summers on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and Georgina Sparks on "Gossip Girl." She began her commercial career and soon transitioned to television, appearing in Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" and "All My Children". Trachtenberg also gained significant attention for her role in "Harriet the Spy," which opened the door to a variety of other film and television opportunities, including notable appearances in "Eurotrip," "17 Again", and "Ice Princess." Most recently, she reprised her role as Georgina in the 2023 "Gossip Girl" reboot on Max. In the weeks leading up to Trachtenberg's passing, The Blast noted that her fans voiced their concerns for her health and well-being. Speculation about possible issues included worries about a heroin addiction, although many followers felt nothing was amiss with her social media posts. On January 26, Trachtenberg shared a natural selfie showcasing her in a puffy jacket and face cap without any filters. Reactions varied widely; while one fan expressed deep concern, stating, "There is something wrong," another lamented the sadness of addiction. In contrast, some comments praised her appearance, with one fan noting she looked "gorgeous" and more youthful, as if in her mid to late 20s. A defender of Trachtenberg's unfiltered look remarked that people perceived her differently simply because she chose not to use filters, suggesting that if she wanted validation for her beauty, she would likely follow the trend of other actresses who often rely on editing. In January 2024, Trachtenberg drew the attention of some fans on Instagram after sharing a selfie taken during a visit to the hair salon alongside "Spy Kids" star Alexa PenaVega. On seeing how she looked, comments began trooping in, with some suggesting she go in for medical examination for some underlying health issues. A frustrated Trachtenberg finally replied to one of those who had the most to say. She wrote, "Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I'm not 14 [?] I'm 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment." The fan then apologized to the late actress, who later shared another picture on Instagram and captioned it, "I've received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself, haters." In February 2021, Michelle Trachtenberg brought to light serious allegations against Joss Whedon, the creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She revealed that there was a specific rule in place during the show's production that prohibited him from being alone with her on set. This statement was shared in an updated post on her Instagram account. "He's not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again," the star clarified in her post. She refrained from providing more details about Whedon's alleged misconduct or who enforced the rule. Her revelation followed accusations from "Buffy" co-star Charisma Carpenter, who described Whedon's behavior as "toxic" and "hostile." Carpenter claimed Whedon spoke ill of her pregnancy weight gain and became overbearing on set, causing lasting emotional and physical distress. Sarah Michelle Gellar also publicly distanced herself from Whedon, expressing her support for survivors of abuse. In response, the late Trachtenberg mentioned that she felt "brave enough" to share her own experiences related to the matter. May Michelle Trachtenberg's sterling memory continue to live on!
