Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy Actress) 1985-2025

[Shellie]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...ing-posts.html

Just saw the actress Michelle Trachtenberg has been found dead at the age of 39. Her mother seemingly went to her NY house, found her and called 911. At the moment they are saying no foul play and natural causes which links with the stories she got a liver transplant within the last year that might have rejected.

She was in several things in the 90s/early 00s including the live action Inspector Gadget, Gossip Girl and others with her most well known role being Buffy's little sister Dawn in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

As a Buffy fan, I hate to say it but this is a surprise but not unexpected at the same time. It was well known that the roles slowed down as she became an adult and a mix of her own behaviour on sets as well as drug/drink rumours cooled down her career which was a shame as even from the start in child roles, she was outacting the adults and continued to do so as she grew. Just a few months back, she posted pictures that had people worrying about her as it was obvious she was losing her hair and her eyes were very gaunt but she claimed there was no issue and people just couldn't get over the fact she wasn't a teenager anymore but it was clearly more than that.

RIP Michelle

72310697007-gty-477386790.jpg

[Mansfield67]

This is quite shocking to hear, sadly she didn't look well in the last photos I am seeing of her. Very sad, she was an excellent actor In everything I have seen her in. RIP Michelle. MV5BZjQ3M2JiMTctOTFmNi00NTIyLWIzMjYtZGJmMTljZTI1M2Q3XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_.jpg

[DannyKaye The Magician]

Not going to judge her as I had my "lost years" with drink.

Life is too short. Didn't really know of her work but she passed so young. RIP....

[Shellie]

Not going to judge her as I had my "lost years" with drink.

Life is too short. Didn't really know of her work but she passed so young. RIP....

She worked on Nickelodeon back in the day and it's shocking how many of those who worked with that network have ended up with alcohol/drug issues that were linked to being too famous too soon when it's likely they self medicated over what happened to them.

It's so sad, more so as the last few pictures she posted on her social media showed her seemingly really happy and looking well.

[Mansfield67]

I too would never judge having had my own "lost years" with alcohol/drugs. 22 yrs. clean/sober as of Feb. 8. It always makes me incredibly sad when someone with so much talent ends up losing their way.

[DannyKaye The Magician]

She worked on Nickelodeon back in the day and it's shocking how many of those who worked with that network have ended up with alcohol/drug issues that were linked to being too famous too soon when it's likely they self medicated over what happened to them.

It's so sad, more so as the last few pictures she posted on her social media showed her seemingly really happy and looking well.

On topic, the book written by a child actress (Jennette McCurdy) about modern fame in Hollywood is horrifying. It's a good read about how the desire for fast money and fame can make people SELL their kids to the highest bidders in Hollywood.

Back on topic, prayers for this poor young lady.

[RiaBrown]

I too would never judge having had my own "lost years" with alcohol/drugs. 22 yrs. clean/sober as of Feb. 8. It always makes me incredibly sad when someone with so much talent ends up losing their way.

According to TizzyEnt on TikTok, Michelle died of a failed liver transplant. Alcoholics aren't candidates for liver transplant for obvious reasons, so I don't believe that she was an alcoholic at all. I'm sure she struggled with it, it seems to run rampant in Hollywood. Tizzy's never posted anything that wasn't proven true, so I have no reason to doubt his information now. He has a way of finding things out, and finding people.

[Mansfield67]

According to TizzyEnt on TikTok, Michelle died of a failed liver transplant. Alcoholics aren't candidates for liver transplant for obvious reasons, so I don't believe that she was an alcoholic at all. I'm sure she struggled with it, it seems to run rampant in Hollywood. Tizzy's never posted anything that wasn't proven true, so I have no reason to doubt his information now. He has a way of finding things out, and finding people.

I don't think so either, most people assume if you have a liver transplant you have to have been an alcoholic. Not always true. I have yet to hear if she had a problem with alcohol, or if it had anything to do with the transplant failing. No autopsy is being performed apparently. Still sad, she was quite a talent.

[lulubaines]

I don't think so either, most people assume if you have a liver transplant you have to have been an alcoholic. Not always true. I have yet to hear if she had a problem with alcohol, or if it had anything to do with the transplant failing. No autopsy is being performed apparently. Still sad, she was quite a talent.

My cousin had a husband dying because of drinking.. It was a shock when he finally collapsed, nobody knew it. Hosted a Nascar party the night before his collapse, and seemed fine. He was never arrested, missed work, had a DUI, nothing. If he finished a rehab course online, (too sick to attend in person) he was going to be put on a transplant list, he also had two brothers willing to share their liver. Sadly he never stabilized enough for that to be an option. Died in weeks after his collapse. So it's possible if this person is functional, and never been in trouble. I'm not sure about all places, but this was Vanderbilt.

[Shellie]

My cousin had a husband dying because of drinking.. It was a shock when he finally collapsed, nobody knew it. Hosted a Nascar party the night before his collapse, and seemed fine. He was never arrested, missed work, had a DUI, nothing. If he finished a rehab course online, (too sick to attend in person) he was going to be put on a transplant list, he also had two brothers willing to share their liver. Sadly he never stabilized enough for that to be an option. Died in weeks after his collapse. So it's possible if this person is functional, and never been in trouble. I'm not sure about all places, but this was Vanderbilt.

My friend's fiancee's liver was failing because he was an alcoholic. They said if he could cut down, he would get put on the list and he managed it. A few weeks before it was due to happen, he got pneumonia and ended up in hospital but contracted covid and ended up passing.

As for Michelle, it's never been confirmed whether she had drink issues or not but there have been stories over the years quite a few in their tributes did say she had issue that she never managed to get over. Whether it was that...I have no idea. Reports are saying it was complications with her thyroid as well that contributed to it so it might have or might not have anything to do with it.

At the end of the day it is so sad that someone so young has passed, especially when you remember she is the youngest of the main cast but is the first to leave us.

[Mansfield67]

I just watched a documentary on the British actress Yootha Joyce, famed for playing Mildred Roper on Man About The House and later in George & Mildred. It touches on her battle with alcoholism which escalated after a divorce in 1969 and continued to get worse before she passed from liver failure in 1980, with her dear friend Brian Murphy who had played George at her bedside. She was only 53. Many thought she was much older due to the toll it took on her. Another great dramatic and comedic talent lost.

[pkstracy]

Rest well Michelle. I want to read Jennette McCurdy's book, Is the one called I'm Glad My Mom Died?

[DannyKaye The Magician]

Rest well Michelle. I want to read Jennette McCurdy's book, Is the one called I'm Glad My Mom Died?

Yes.

It's a great read. I won't spoil it. Well worth the price.

[Shellie]

Yes.

It's a great read. I won't spoil it. Well worth the price.

I haven't read it personally but I remember a lot of people called her out until they finished the book and realised why she felt the way she did.

[pkstracy]

at Danny Kaye I just bought it and will read it.