Kenan Thompson Shares Heartbreaking Tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
Kenan Thompson is reflecting on his bond with a fallen star.
Following Michelle Trachtenberg’s sudden death on Feb. 26 at age 39, the Saturday Night Live star paid tribute to the Nickelodeon alum on Instagram.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” Kenan captioned the touching post, which features a throwback video from the 1999 Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards. In the video, Michelle acts as a wrestling commentator during the Kenan & Kel star’s fight against the late Randy “Macho Man” Savage. “She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!”
Kenan also shared a sweet photo of him posed with the late actor in the early days of their career. The two got their start on Nickelodeon in the late ‘90s, with Michelle leaving a memorable impression on two of the network’s original projects: 1993’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and 1996’s Harriet the Spy. Michelle later branched out to other shows in the early 2000s, snagging titular roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Kenan wasn’t her only colleague who recently praised her to a high regard. Her Harriet the Spy costar Rosie O'Donnell also reflected on their bond. “Heartbreaking,” she said in a statement to Us Weekly. “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
Meanwhile, Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick also expressed love to Michelle, writing on his Instagram Story, “So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg. Sending prayers.”
Michelle was found dead in her New York City apartment on Feb. 26, local police confirmed to E! News. According to the police, her death is not currently being investigated as suspicious, and an autopsy will determine her cause of death. While confirming her death to E!, her rep added in a statement, “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Keep reading to see what other stars paid tribute to the late actor….
"My heart is heavy today," the Buffy the Vampire Slayer wrote on Instagram. "We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."
James continued, "My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed."
The Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."
The Nickelodeon star wrote of his fellow alum, "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!"
Michelle's Harriet the Spy costar told Us Weekly, "Heartbreaking. I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," she wrote of her former costar. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."
Michelle's ex-boyfriend, whom she dated between 2004 and 2006, penned a tribute on social media.
"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing," he wrote. "She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a law and order SVU marathon:)"
He added, "My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!"
The Halloweentown alum expressed her grief with a simple broken heart emoji.
"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Melissa wrote on Instagram, alognside a throwback clip from Clarissa Explains It All. "So young, so talented and so sweet!"
She added of the clip, "I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully."
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," the Gossip Girl creators and showrunners shared with NBC News. "Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons."
The pair continued, "She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
"Oh Michy…," Melissa wrote on Instagram in tribute to her A Holiday for Love costar. "And we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl"
"So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on his Feb. 25 Instagram Story. "Sending prayers."
He closed his message with the praying hands and white heart emojis.
"So very sad..." Michelle's Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar wrote on social media of her passing. "Horrible News. RIP and prayers to her and her family."
eonline
