The beloved actress was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment on February 26 at the age of 39.
She leaves behind a legacy that shaped countless childhoods, along with lingering questions about her life and relationships – especially her family dynamics and the deep love she shared with her long-time partner.
Born Michelle Christine Trachtenberg on October 11, 1985, the American star was the second daughter of Michael and Lana, with an older sister named Irene.
Trachtenberg often spoke about her proud Russian heritage, revealing her mother was born in Russia and how the Russian language echoed through their household.
She recounted during a 2013 interview: “Before I’d signed on to it, [the script] was predominantly all in Russian,” referring to her role as Marina Oswald in the TV movie Killing Kennedy.
Her fluency in the language became an unexpected asset for the role, showcasing a personal connection to her roots.
Casting her mother as her translator during the filming also allowed Michelle to dive deep into her character.
She explained: “My mom actually was my translator and broke down the entire script for me,” emphasizing the importance of family support throughout her career.”
Her passion for her heritage frequently surfaced, even when presenting roles that required her to connect with a different facet of her identity.
Trachtenberg’s dedication to her roots remained unwavering, even as she navigated various aspects of her identity both on and off screen.
Tragically, the movie star was in a committed relationship with talent agent Jay Cohen at the time of her untimely demise.
The couple began dating in 2020, although whispers suggested their paths crossed even earlier when she was signed to Gersh, Cohen’s agency, in 2014.
Their romance appeared to flourish in the public eye, highlighted by an Instagram post Trachtenberg shared on February 14, 2023 introducing Cohen to her followers.
She captioned their photo together: “Happy Valentine’s Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face.”
Cohen stood by her side in recent years – an unwavering presence in a life marked by professional triumphs and personal tribulations.
On the fateful morning of Trachtenberg’s death, officers responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place, only to discover the star “unconscious and unresponsive.”
A spokesperson for the NYC Police Department confirmed the details in a statement: “EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected.”
However, the cause of death remains under investigation, pending the results of an autopsy.
Adding to the heartbreak, reports surfaced Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant, with complications potentially arising from the surgery.