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Rosie O’Donnell Says Michelle Trachtenberg in “Bad Shape” Before Death

Watch: Rosie O’Donnell Says Michelle Trachtenberg Was in “Pretty Bad Shape” During Final Years

Rosie O’Donnell continues to mourn the tragic loss of Michelle Trachtenberg.

Over a year after her Harriet the Spy costar died at the age of 39, the comedian detailed her relationship with Trachtenberg, sharing why she believes the late star was “not in good shape” in the years leading up to her death.

“It was a tragedy,” O’Donnell shared in an interview with Variety published July 16. “She was a real genius child who was able to memorize anything, pick up her lines, you could improvise with her, and she was connected and right there.”

While Trachtenberg’s cause of death was determined to be complications from diabetes mellitus, O’Donnell alleged the Gossip Girl alum had also been struggling with addiction in the final years of her life.

“She got into drugs and alcohol, I believe,” she said, “and then I lost touch with her.”

“In the last few years, when she was in pretty bad shape, she would call me and we would talk,” O’Donnell continued. “I also called her mother to find out what was going on, and her mother told me what was happening, and how long it had been happening. “

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According to the 64-year-old—who played Ole Golly opposite Trachtenberg’s Harriet in 1996’s Harriet the Spy—she and her former costar made plans to get together multiple times over the years, but Trachtenberg “never showed up.”

“Sometimes at restaurants, other times at my house where we’d had someone prepare the whole meal,” O’Donnell recalled. “I would call her and go, ‘Honey, are you heading over?’ and she’d go, ‘Was that today?’ She was not in good shape. I didn’t think that she would die.”

Looking back, the TV personality admitted that she wishes she “could have done more” for Trachtenberg, who had received a liver transplant prior to her death.

“I tried to help her as much as I could,” she said, “but she was inaccessible toward the end, and it was tragic.”

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

O’Donnell compared Trachtenberg’s situation to that of Whitney Houston, whose years-long struggle with addiction ultimately contributed to her death following an accidental drowning in 2012.

As the TV personality noted, addiction hits close to home, as her daughter Chelsea—who is currently in prison—struggled with drugs for years and is currently sober.

“With most people suffering from addiction, their loved ones think that they’ll survive it, but you can die from your addiction to drugs or alcohol,” O’Donnell explained, “and it happens too often that it must be taken seriously.”

For a look back at Trachtenberg’s life in photos, read on…

SGranitz/WireImage

Sarah Michelle Gellar”Michelle, listen to me,” the Buffy alum captioned her Feb. 27 Instagram post. “Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”

London Entertainment/Shutterstock

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.”

Instagram

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.”

Instagram / Danny Tamberelli

Danny TamberelliThe Adventures of Pete & Pete alum wrote this about his former costar:”We grew up learning how to make people laugh together. More importantly, we learned to make each other laugh and pull pranks on everyone. We were doing improv when it was still called playing pretend to get laughs. She was a master of the clothespin game, tagging any and everyone she could.”He continued, “She once got upset when I got my 1st bass on set because I wouldn’t hang out during lunch. She hid the cable so I couldn’t play through the amp. I got the message.”Danny called Michelle “a bright light, firecracker and caring person who spent a lot of time and effort advocating for people who needed a louder voice.”He added, “Michelle was someone to look up to in this business and to the general world at large. She will be missed.”

Instagram/James Marsters

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.”

Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for The A List

Eliza Dushku”Sweet soul,” the Buffy alum, who played Faith, wrote on her Instagram Story. “So young. So heartbreaking. May you rest in peace, little slayer sis. Holding MT’s family + friends in our [hearts].”

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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.”

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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.”

John Sciulli/Getty Images for Thirst Project

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.”

Instagram / James Van Der Beek

James Van Der BeekThe Dawson’s Creek alum, who worked with the actress on the series Mercy, shared a throwback video of her rapping Nicki Minaj‘s verses on Robin Thicke‘s 2009 song “Shakin’ It for Daddy” on a car ride.James called Michelle “a wild force of nature: raw talent that became white hot when focused (which she could do at will in .01 seconds), funny, acerbic.”He said he loved rapping at the same time as her because the “ride home was never boring.””One night I convinced her to let me record a typical ride through the Holland Tunnel to share on the early days of Twitter,” he continued. “This is how I’ll remember you, Michelle. God bless you and your family. Praying for y’all.”

Amy Graves/WireImage

Leslie MannThe 17 Again actress wrote of her onscreen daughter, “I will miss you, Michelle.”

Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images

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.”

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Kim CattrallThe Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, “Rest in peace sweet Michelle.”

Instagram/Clare Kramer

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.”

JOE SCHILDHORN/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Taylor Momsen”When I met this girl 17 years ago, I knew we’d be friends,” the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram. “She was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f–k and filled with fire. She was simply awesome.””She was always in my corner and there to support me whether I was right or wrong,” she continued. “I will miss you everyday my love..I think we truly understood each other and I am so grateful to have had a friend like you in my life for so long.”She also shared a message to Michelle, adding, “You were a true friend to me which is a rarity in this world and I can’t believe I won’t hear your voice again..I hope you’re f–king up heaven for both of us.”

Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

Kenan ThompsonThe 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!!!”

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Rosie O’DonnellMichelle’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.”

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

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.”

Instagram

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.”

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

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.”

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Shawn AshmoreMichelle’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!”

Instagram/Kimberly J. Brown

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.”

Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images

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.”

Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images

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.”

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Mara Wilson”My heart is breaking for my childhood friend,” the Matilda alum wrote on Instagram Story . “Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle.”

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images

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”

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

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.

Ralph Bavaro/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

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.”

David Livingston/Getty Images

Kevin ZegersThe 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.”

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

J. August RichardsThe Angel alum offered his support to those closest to the actress, writing on Instgram, “My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy… Rest In Peace, dear one.”

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View More Photos From Stars React to Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death

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