Penn Badgley Talks Working with Michelle Trachtenberg in New Interview
Penn Badgley shared his reaction to the death of his former Gossip Girl co-star, Michelle Trachtenberg.
The actress suffered from diabetes mellitus and passed away due to complications. The Gossip Girl star’s death has been ruled “natural.” Just two months ago, her mother, Lana Trachtenberg, found her unconscious in her New York City apartment. Her sudden death has since left her family, friends, and fans in shock and mourning.
The You star shared his thoughts on the Ice Princess actress’s death. “It’s surreal,” he added, “Really surreal, really saddening. What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh.”
Meanwhile, in 2000, Trachtenberg joined the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she portrayed Dawn Summers. One of her most iconic roles was Georgina Sparks in the 2007 hit teen drama series Gossip Girl. Her role as Sparks is remembered as the humorous villain with an unpredictable yet creative mindset, with every appearance met with anticipation and drama. Her roles were nothing short of memorable.
“She was really joyous,” Bagdley recalled. “We all have our ups and downs, our lights and shadows, but she had this — I mean, she was mature, but she had this childlike, joyous laugh.”
Additionally, following the sudden news of her passing, Trachtenberg’s other co-stars on Gossip Girl expressed their grief on social media and shared tributes following the star’s passing. Chace Crawford, who embodied the preppy Nate Archibald, shared some words about his co-star through a series of photos of the pair. He captioned the post, “Michelle was one of a kind. I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic, remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you.”
Meanwhile, Blake Lively, who portrayed Manhattan’s “It” girl Serena van der Woodsen, posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram story. “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.”
Trachtenberg’s passing marks an irreplaceable loss to the world. Her memory will endure, defined by her relentless work ethic, remarkable talent, and genuine spirit.
