Actress Michelle Trachtenberg was slated to appear at a benefit screening in Texas next month for her final film before her tragic death at 39, according to reports.
The “Gossip Girl” star, who was found dead at her ritzy Manhattan apartment Wednesday morning, had plans to make a public appearance at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, where her documentary “Spyral” is showing on March 12, the film’s producer, Jennifer Hutchins, told People.
Hutchins said she was aware of Trachtenberg’s health issues, adding that the actress was either attending the gala – which will support mental health charities – in person or virtually, the outlet reported.
“There was no public announcement planned as we knew it would be a last minute decision if she was up for it,” Hutchins said, adding that the “Harriet the Spy” actress finished her voice work for the film in 2021.
The film was released last year following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TMZ reported.
In her final film credit, the “Ice Princess” star reads excerpts from the diary of Randall White’s late wife Michelle Cody White, who suffered from undiagnosed bipolar depression prior to her death.
“I am so saddened by the loss of Michelle,” Hutchins told People in a statement, explaining that she felt the actress was an advocate for mental health awareness.
“She was so connected to this story and the late Michelle Cody White. I could really tell it hit her in her own heart as she took breaks during voice over recordings to wipe her tears away as she was giving her everything to the moment,” she continued.
“When you watch this movie, you can hear the real trembling in Michelle’s voice as she was reading excerpts from Michelle Cody White’s diaries and journals.”
Hutchins remembered the former child actress as a sweet person who was easy to talk to, loved her cat, and enthusiastically shared stories, calling her an “inspiration.”
“She’s just one of those people that you felt like you instantly knew like an old friend,” the producer added, the outlet reported.
“She’s such an inspiration and an amazing actress and contributed so much to the world.”
The “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” actress was found by her mother around 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxury apartment complex in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood, the Post exclusively confirmed.
It’s believed that her body may have rejected a liver transplant, which she received within the last year.
Her death was ruled “undetermined” on Thursday after her family objected to an autopsy, according to a spokesperson for the city medical examiner’s office and sources.
Trachtenberg was dating talent agent Jay Cohen, 63, at the time of her death. The two have been together since 2020 but kept their relationship mostly out of the spotlight.
The benefit is expected to go on next month as planned, TMZ reported, with filmmakers now expected to honor Trachtenberg at the event, which will also feature guest speakers and live entertainment.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
