Hollywood is mourning the death of Buffy and Gossip Girl alum Michelle Trachtenberg at the age of 39. The actress was found unresponsive at her Manhattan apartment on Wednesday morning and was pronounced dead by EMS workers. Over the years, she has starred in several movies and TV shows. She last appeared on the screen in the Max reboot of Gossip Girl.
Many fans weren’t aware that Michelle Trachtenberg could’ve played one of the leading roles in the blockbuster Twilight Saga. It would’ve been her second appearance in a vampire story after playing the titular character’s sister in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Michelle Trachtenberg could’ve played Bella in The Twilight Saga
Michelle Trachtenberg‘s career could’ve taken a different direction in the 2010s if she landed one major franchise role. While The Twilight Saga doesn’t receive much love today, it helped to launch the careers of its lead stars, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Trachtenberg revealed in 2011 that she was in talks for a main role in the film.
During an interview with Us Weekly, she shared, “There was definitely interest here and there because there’s only so few pale girls in Hollywood.” While it isn’t confirmed which main role she could’ve landed, the outlet suggested that she could’ve landed the role of Bella instead of Stewart.
Trachtenberg revealed that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke was interested in casting her in the 2003 film, Thirteen. However, she had passed on the role due to a schedule clash with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Twilight Saga was the second time that Hardwicke approached Trachtenberg with a lead role.
Trachtenberg explained that her schedules were again the reason why she couldn’t take on the role. She shared, “I guess schedules never worked out.” The EuroTrip actress didn’t have any regrets at the time since she had already done one project on the vampire theme. She told Us Weekly, “I already have Buffy. I’ve already done the vampire thing.”
Other female lead roles in Twilight went to Ashley Greene and Nikki Reed. Trachtenberg didn’t want to speculate on where the vampire films could’ve taken her career. She shared, “[Hypothetical answers mean] you’re not living in the moment and you’re looking negatively at what you’re doing now.” It appeared that the actress was satisfied with her career.
Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away at the age of 39
According to The New York Post, Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead at her apartment by her mother. An NYPD source told the outlet that she was pronounced dead by EMS workers who responded to a call reporting a woman experiencing cardiac arrest. Sources also shared that the city medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
A source shared with PEOPLE that she had been suffering from “health issues” and was “really down emotionally”. It was also reported that the actress underwent a liver transplant within the last year, with sources suggesting that her body may have rejected the new liver.
Trachtenberg began her career in small ad roles before she landed her roles on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and All My Children. Her breakout role came in Harriet the Spy in 1996, following which she landed the role of Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Her prominent film roles included EuroTrip and 17 Again. From 2008 to 2012, she played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.
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