Blake Lively is urging people to cherish their loved ones following the sudden passing of her Gossip Girl costar Michelle Trachtenberg, who died at age 39 on Feb. 26.
Lively, 37, shared a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, just hours after the NYPD confirmed Trachtenberg’s death in New York City. Both actresses starred in the 2007–2012 hit series, with Trachtenberg portraying the scheming Georgina Sparks, a frenemy to Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen.
Blake Lively Reflects on Michelle Trachtenberg’s Vibrant Spirit
“This was the first day I met Michelle,” Lively wrote in her caption, accompanying a throwback photo of the pair on the Gossip Girl set. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
Lively 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.”
She also recalled a small but meaningful detail about her former costar—her choice of lip gloss. “She wore yummy caramel-smelling lip gloss while filming,” Lively shared, explaining that Trachtenberg did this as a subtle act of kindness toward her scene partners.
“She didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lip gloss because she cared about the sweet details.”
A Heartfelt Goodbye and a Lost Connection
Lively described Trachtenberg as a “kind person, through and through” but also reflected on the passage of time and the missed opportunities to reconnect.
Blake Lively and Michelle Trachtenberg (Photo: WireImage)
“Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday,” she wrote.
“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle,” Lively added. “May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Gossip Girl Cast and Fans Mourn Michelle Trachtenberg
Lively was not the only Gossip Girl cast member to pay tribute to Trachtenberg, who was also beloved for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harriet the Spy. Several former co-stars, including Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford, also honored her memory.
“Michelle was one of a kind,” wrote Crawford, who played Nate Archibald. “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”
Michelle Trachtenberg’s Passing and Health Struggles
Trachtenberg was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” by police on Wednesday morning. While an official cause of death has not yet been confirmed, sources told that she had recently undergone a liver transplant and had been dealing with health complications.
“She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling,” an insider revealed.
Trachtenberg’s portrayal of Georgina Sparks was a fan favorite, known for her sharp wit and mischievous behavior. In 2023, she reprised the role for two episodes of the Gossip Girl reboot on Max, marking her final onscreen appearance.
