Rose O’Donnell, More Honor Actress

Rosie O’Donnell, James Marsters, and the creators of Gossip Girl have shared tributes to actress Michelle Trachtenberg after her unexpected death Wednesday, Feb. 26. 

O’Donnell was Trachtenberg’s A-list co-star in Harriet the Spy, the 1996 kids movie that marked Trachtenberg’s first major film role (she was just 10 when filming began). O’Donnell played “Ole Golly,” a nanny and mentor to Harriet, the precocious snoop and writer played by Trachtenberg. 

“Heartbreaking,” O’Donnell told Us Weekly. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.” (A cause of death for Trachtenberg has not yet been determined, but police do not suspect anything suspicious.)

Bronwen Hughes, director of Harriet the Spy, told The Hollywood Reporter about selecting Trachtenberg for the lead role, calling her a “lightning bolt of a casting discovery.” He added: “She had fire, she had spark, she had truth, and she had Harriet’s conviction, like her sense of self. No one else came in the room like that. So she had that acting gene that you can’t really teach. It’s innate, which is not something you find very often.”

Kim Cattrall, who appeared alongside Trachtenberg in the 2005 Disney movie Ice Princess, shared a short note on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”

The creators of Gossip Girl, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, released a statement to Today saying, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented.”

On Gossip Girl, Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks, a conniving socialite who repeatedly popped up during the show’s six-season run to wreak havoc on the other Upper East Siders. She even reprised the role for the short lived Gossip Girl reboot on HBO.

“Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan-favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons,” Schwartz and Savage said. “She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Additionally, one of Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-stars, Ed Westwick, released a short statement on Instagram Stories, saying “So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.”

Two of Trachtenberg’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-stars shared tributes as well, James Marsters, who played the vampire Spike, and Emma Caulfield, who played the former demon Anya. Trachtenberg appeared on the last few seasons of the show as Dawn Summers, sister to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy.

On Instagram, Marsters wrote, “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. My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed.”

And on Instagram Stories, Caulfield said, “I’m so sorry your bright light died so young. Our Buffy family lost a little sister today… Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved.”