Rosie O'Donnell SaysHarriet the SpyCostar Michelle Trachtenberg 'Struggled' Before Her Death: 'I Loved Her'

Mar. 15, 2025

Rosie O’Donnellis mourning the loss of herHarriet the SpycostarMichelle Trachtenberg.

“I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped,” she added.

O’Donnell, 62, starred alongside Trachtenberg in 1996’sHarriet the Spy, which was released when Trachtenberg was just 10 years old and marked her big-screen acting debut.

Another cast mate,J. Smith-Cameronspoke out in a statement on Feb. 26. “I played Mrs. Welch, Harriet’s mother inHarriet the Spy. Michelle had been on a Nickelodeon show calledAdventures of Pete & Petebut this seemed to be her first lead film role. She was so excited,” she recalled.

“Her natural ebullient nature was ratcheted up into giddiness as she tried to learn how to handle all that came with that. She was a very charming little girl,” the actress continued. “Years later we found each other on social media and connected briefly. She was always very warm toward me. I feel very shocked and unsettled to hear of her passing.”

Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O’Donnell inHarriet the Spy(1996).Getty

Getty

The New York Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday that officials responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City around 8 a.m.

Michelle Trachtenberg in Los Angeles on Feb. 6, 2020; Rosie O’Donnell.JC Olivera/WireImage; Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty

JC Olivera/WireImage; Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty

“Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased,” police said, adding, “Criminality is not suspected.”

The investigation remains ongoing. TheNew York Postwas first to report on her death.

Michelle Trachtenberg in New York City on Feb. 16, 2015.Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

Trachtenberg is best known for her roles as Dawn Summers onBuffy the Vampire Slayerand Georgina Sparks onGossip Girl. She got her start in commercials before landing her roles on Nickelodeon’sThe Adventures of Pete & Peteand onAll My Children.

The actress’sfinal Instagram postwas seven days ago, where she shared a throwback of herself wanting to “look like naughty#tinkerbell.”

source: people.com