Michelle Trachtenberg, who played the role of Lily Benton Montgomery on All My Children, has passed away at age 39.
Trachtenberg Stole Every Scene She Was In
Her mother found her unresponsive and unconscious in her New York City residence on the morning of Wednesday, February 26. She was pronounced dead by emergency medical workers. Trachtenberg never publicly revealed any health issues.
According to a source, Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant and “may have been experiencing complications” after the surgery. The actress was born in New York City on October 11, 1985.
Trachtenberg became a child actress and landed parts in commercials first until her big break on All My Children at age eight. She played on the soap from 1993 to 1996.
Her character, Lily, was the autistic daughter of Laurel Bannon and was adopted by her stepfather, Jackson Montgomery. While playing Lily, she also played on the Nickelodeon sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
After her time in Pine Valley was over, she went on to find success in more mature, notable roles. Trachtenberg was also recognized for her character role as Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She played the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, Buffy.
Michelle also played Georgina Sparks on the show Gossip Girl. She played a manipulative social climber, who was the rival of Blake Lively’s character, Serena van der Woodson. It is said that Michelle would steal every scene she was in.
Heartfelt Tributes For Michelle Trachtenberg
Trachtenberg was also in the movie 17 Again with Matthew Perry and Zac Efron. On her Instagram Stories, Melissa Ordway, who plays Abby Newman on The Young and the Restless, wrote,
“I was lucky enough to work with Michelle on 17 Again.”
Ordway continued,
“She was lovely and wonderful and talented. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
Blake Lively, who starred with Trachtenberg on Gossip Girl, called Trachtenberg “fiercely loyal” in an Instagram post. She shared a photo of her with Michelle on their first day on set.
Lively said that Michelle was
“Big and bold and distinctly herself.”
She added,
“She was a kind person, through and through. Hold those you love and have loved dear.”
Blake concluded,
“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who created Gossip Girl, said Michelle’s passing deeply saddened them.
“Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. 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,”
They said,
“She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
Trachtenberg’s other credits include the part of Harriet Welsch in the film Harriet the Spy. She appeared in other popular movies, like “Mysterious Skin,” “Ice Princess,” and “Eurotrip.”
In the years prior to her death, fans stated their concerns about Michelle’s frail appearance, which could have been the result of her needing a liver transplant.
We send our most sincere sympathies, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.
For any other soap opera and entertainment news, please visit Daily Soap Dish.
