Blake Lively pays tribute to ‘Gossip Girl’ co-star Michelle Trachtenberg
Blake Lively has paid tribute to her late Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg following her tragic death aged 39.
Trachtenberg starred with Lively in the CW show from 2007 to 2012. The late actor played Georgina Sparks, a cruel and manipulative socialite who caused havoc in Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen’s life in 28 episodes across the show’s original six-season run and its two-season HBO Max revival.
Lively posted a photo with Trachtenberg from the set of Gossip Girl, and wrote, “This is the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
The actor continued: “She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke; she faced authority head-on when she felt something was wrong; she cared deeply about her work; she was proud to be a part of this community and industry, as painful as it could be sometimes; she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved; she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
“She always had yummy caramel smelling lip gloss,” Lively added, “because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera. She liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lip gloss because she cared about the sweet details.”
The A Simple Favour star concluded, “She was a kind person through and through. Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Trachtenberg, also known for starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and EuroTrip, was found in her Manhattan apartment in the early hours of February 26th. First responders answered a 911 call just after 8am and pronounced her dead at the scene. A cause of death has yet to be determined, but the NYPD insists no foul play is suspected.
Lively wasn’t the only celebrity to pay tribute to the young star. Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson posted a video on Instagram with Trachtenberg and wrote, “Our first Nick movie star has departed us. She was my friend, and now she rests.” James Marsters, who worked with her on Buffy, told People magazine, “My heart is heavy today. 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.”
Trachtenberg’s Harriet the Spy co-star Rosie O’Donnell posted, “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” In addition, her close friend, TV host Melissa Rivers, wrote, “I’m deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend Michelle. She made me laugh every day with the silly posts we would send to each other.”
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