Rosie O'Donnell's Regret Over Michelle Trachtenberg

Rosie O'Donnell is reflecting on her bond with Michelle Trachtenberg, who tragically passed away at age 39 in February 2025. O'Donnell, who starred with Trachtenberg in the 1996 film "Harriet the Spy," spoke to Variety about her attempts to maintain contact with the former child star in the years leading up to her death.

O'Donnell described Trachtenberg as a "genius child" with an incredible ability to memorize lines and improvise. However, she noted that Trachtenberg became involved with drugs and alcohol, leading to a loss of contact. Trachtenberg was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment on February 26, 2025. The medical examiner later confirmed her death was due to complications from diabetes mellitus, with the manner ruled natural.

Recalling Trachtenberg's final years, O'Donnell stated she was "in pretty bad shape." O'Donnell shared instances where Trachtenberg missed planned meetings, sometimes appearing disoriented. Despite these struggles, O'Donnell admitted she didn't anticipate her death, emphasizing the serious nature of addiction and its frequent fatal outcomes.

O'Donnell expressed deep regret, wishing she could have done more, but acknowledged Trachtenberg's inaccessibility in her final days. She drew parallels to her own family's experience with addiction, mentioning a daughter who has been sober for over a year and a half but is currently incarcerated.

Trachtenberg, who began her career on television, gained wider recognition for her roles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl" after her breakthrough in "Harriet the Spy."