Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment in February at the age of 39
- Penn Badgley opened up about his Gossip Girl costar Michelle Trachteberg’s passing at the premiere of You‘s fifth and final season
- “What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh,” Badgley said
- Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment on Feb. 26
Penn Badgley is remembering his late Gossip Girl costar Michelle Trachtenberg, and her “joyous laugh.”
Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment on Feb. 26 at the age of 39. Her official cause of death was revealed on April 16, with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirming to PEOPLE that the actress’ sudden death was a result of complications of diabetes mellitus. The manner of death was ruled as natural.
Speaking about Trachtenberg’s death at the premiere of You’s fifth and final season on Wednesday, April 23, Badgley, 38, told E! News that her passing was “really surreal, really saddening.”
“What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh,” he told the outlet. “She was really joyous. 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.”
The actor went on to share that he hadn’t crossed paths with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star in over 10 years, but described her as having a “really pure heart.”
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The pair starred opposite one another on Gossip Girl, which ran from 2007-2012. Badgley played Dan Humphrey, who is revealed to be Gossip Girl in the show’s finale, while Trachtenberg played troublemaker Georgina Sparks.
After Trachtenberg’s death was confirmed by the NYPD, many of her former costars reacted to the news of her death, including Blake Lively, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford.
The pair starred opposite one another on Gossip Girl, which ran from 2007-2012. Badgley played Dan Humphrey, who is revealed to be Gossip Girl in the show’s finale, while Trachtenberg played troublemaker Georgina Sparks.
After Trachtenberg’s death was confirmed by the NYPD, many of her former costars reacted to the news of her death, including Blake Lively, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford.
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Alongside a photo of the pair from Gossip Girl, Lively, 37, paid tribute to Trachtenberg, writing on her Instagram Stories at the time, “This was the first day I met Michelle. She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
She continued, “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 and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
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Meanwhile, Westwick, 37, told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Michelle but I remember a talented, sharp, funny and warm soul,” he said. “Thinking of her and the family. So sad.’”
Crawford, 39, added on Instagram, “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 ❤️”
