Originally appeared on E! Online
Michelle Trachtenberg was feeling the love just weeks before her sudden death.
The Harriet the Spy star, who died at the age of 39 Feb. 26, shared a heartfelt tribute to her boyfriend Jay Cohen earlier this month in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Michelle marked the occasion with a photo of her and Jay, a partner at the Gersh Talent Agency, in full face paint and costumes as characters the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde writing on the Feb. 14 post, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face.”
Fans of Michelle got the first look at their relationship in 2023, when she went Instagram official with Jay by sharing a sweet Valentine’s Day selfie.
The following year, the Ice Princess actress marked Jay’s birthday with the same photo of the pair in their Jekyll and Hyde costumes writing, “Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me @jaymcohen.”
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Jay, meanwhile, honored Michelle on Valentine’s Day in 2023 by sharing a sweet mirror selfie.
Over the course of their relationship, Michelle and Jay have remained largely out of the spotlight.
But while Michelle didn’t often give insight into her life on social media, she was active, sharing pics with former costars and throwbacks from red carpets along with messages of hope for her fans.
“Recently with all of the madness going on in the world, it’s time to be strong,” the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram Jan. 17. “Eye believe YOU are stronger than you think you are #grateful.”
Michelle’s publicist confirmed her tragic death in a Feb, 26 statement to E! News, adding, “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Following the news of her passing, many of her former costars and friends expressed their grief, including her fellow Nickelodeon alum Kenan Thompson, Harriet the Spy costar Rosie O’Donnell and more.
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Michelle in Ice Princess, wrote alongside a throwback picture, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Keep strolling for more stars who paid tribute after Michelle’s death…
Alyson Hannigan
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing,” the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum wrote on Instagram. “She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends.”
Chace Crawford
“Michelle was one of a kind,” the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram. “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.”
James Marsters
“My heart is heavy today,” the Buffy alum 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.”
Kate Beckinsale
“What a terrible show and loss, my god,” the Underworld actress wrote on Instagram Story. “My heart aches for your mama. Fly safe little bird.”
Blake Lively
“She was electricity,” the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram Story. “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joked, 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.”
Blake also remembered Michelle’s ” yummy caramel smelling lipgloss,” noting that the late star wore it because “she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit.”
“The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle,” she added. “May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
Charisma Carpenter
“It is never easy to see someone so young, bright, beautiful, and full of promise pass away,” the Buffy alum wrote on Instagram. “It’s devastating, actually.”
“I would be remiss not to acknowledge the undeniable impact she has had on the lives of her fans worldwide,” she continued. “She will live on through her performances and her love of storytelling forever.”
The actress, who played Cordelia in the teen drama, concluded, “Rest easy, Michelle.”
Leslie Mann
The 17 Again actress wrote of her onscreen daughter, “I will miss you, Michelle.”
Christian Siriano
“My love Michelle you will be forever loved and missed by so many,” the fashion designer shared on Instagram Story, “and I will never forget all of our memories together for the rest of my life.”
Kim Cattrall
The Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”
Clare Kramer
“Peace out little one,” Clare—who played Glory on Buffy—wrote on Instagram. “A talented & kind soul gone way too soon! You’re free to fly now.”
Kenan Thompson
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!!!”
Rosie O’Donnell
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.”
Emma Caulfield
“I’m so sorry your bright light died so young,” the actress—who played Anya on Buffy—wrote of her former costar. “Our Buffy family lost a little sister today… Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved.”
Matt McGorry
“She had a fierceness but also a deep caring and softness with those she trusted,” the Orange Is the New Black actor wrote on Instagram. “She always stood up for her friends, was incredibly talented and had the darkest sense of humor. She had the spirit of a true New Yorker.”
Though the two were “really close but lost touch for quite a while,” Matt said he was “always sure that we’d cross paths again.”
“I was looking forward to meeting as the people we’d grown to become,” he added. “You will be missed by so many. Love you, Michelle.”
Kristin Chenoweth
“One of the most precious people I’ve ever know,” the Broadway star wrote on Instagram Story. “I will never forget you, Michelle.”
Shawn Ashmore
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!”
Kimberly J. Brown
“We met on the kid actor audition circuit and had so many fun, unique adventures both in and out of the Biz together, even coming out to act in LA around the same time as young teens,” the Halloweentown alum wrote on Instagram. “As older adults we didn’t see eachother as often but our bond over those early days was always there-as was her outgoing, feisty, funny personality and deep love of acting.”
She added, “Sending so much love to her mom Lana and her sister Irene whom she loved so much.I love you, Michelle. Rest easy.”
Melissa Joan Hart
“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.”
Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage
“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.”
Mara Wilson
“My heart is breaking for my childhood friend,” the Matilda alum wrote on Instagram Story . “Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle.”
Melissa Gilbert
“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”
Ed Westwick
“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.
David Boreanaz
“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.”
Kevin Zegers
The Gossip Girl alum—who played Damien Dalgaard in the teen drama—described Michelle’s passing a “loss.”
“Michelle was tough and a force,” he added in his Instagram post. “Just a kid, so sad.”
