Michelle Trachtenberg was ‘devastated’ by 17 Again costar Matthew Perry’s death over a year ago.
And the Buffy The Vampire Slayer star feared she would die young too, a source has told DailyMail.com.
‘Michelle was really rattled when Matthew died because she did not expect it. Even though he was troubled and struggled to stay sober, she just did not think it would happen,’ an insider told DailyMail.com.
‘And she was devastated. It was hard for her because she knew Matthew when she was so young, he made an impression on her.’
It also reminded her of how fragile life can be. ‘It made her think that death could happen to anyone struggling with addiction. Like it was just around the corner if she was not careful,’ added the source.
Michelle was only 39-years-old when she passed away in NYC on Wednesday.
Michelle Trachtenberg was ‘devastated’ by 17 Again costar Matthew Perry ‘s death over a year ago. And the Buffy The Vampire Slayer star feared she would die young too, a source has told DailyMail.com
17 Again was about Mike O’Donnell (Perry), a high-school basketball star who threw it all away to marry his girlfriend and raise their child. Michelle played Matthew’s teenaged daughter Maggie O’Donnell
Perry was found dead at age 54 in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023.
Michelle and Matthew costarred in the 2009 comedy 17 Again which also featured Zac Efron, Leslie Mann and Melora Hardin.
‘Matthew’s death was on her mind frequently,’ said the source.
‘So when she went in for surgery for her liver, she thought she might be next. She had expressed that she feared she would die after signing all those releases at the hospital, you know, all those “in the event that you die” papers that freak everyone out.’
About 7 in 100 people die within a year of receiving a liver transplant, though this varies depending on the patient. The risk of death is highest in the first 6 months after a transplant, according to The Mayo Clinic.
The causes of death include infection, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. The survival rate depends on the type of donor organ. People who receive a liver from a living donor often have better short-term survival rates.
17 Again was about Mike O’Donnell (Perry), a high-school basketball star with a bright future, who threw it all away to marry his girlfriend and raise their child.
From left: Trachtenberg, Zac Efron, Leslie Mann and Matthew Perry arrive at the premiere of 17 Again held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in April 2009 in Hollywood
From left: Hunter Parrish, Allison Miller, Sterling Knight, Trachtenberg, director Burr Steers, Efron, Mann, Perry, Melora Hardin
Almost 20 years later, Mike’s marriage has failed, his kids think he’s a loser, and his job is going nowhere.
He gets a chance to correct the mistakes of his past and change his life when he is miraculously transformed into a teenager (Zac Efron).
Michelle played Matthew’s teenaged daughter Maggie O’Donnell.
Trachtenberg died at the age of 39 on Wednesday.
The actress – who was best known for starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl – was found dead inside her Manhattan apartment.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has confirmed to PEOPLE that it responded to a 911 call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City.
The NYPD added: ‘Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased. Criminality is not suspected.’
Michelle’s last public appearance was in November 2023 at the 15 Years of Siriano Party at Nic’s On Beverly in Los Angeles, left. Seen right in 2010
She had been looking gaunt on social media as she had liver problems
The actress recently underwent a liver transplant, according to sources at the New York Post newspaper, and her death is not being treated as suspicious.
In recent years, Trachtenberg’s fans have expressed concern about her health on social media.
And in 2024, the TV star actually took to social media to explain her gaunt appearance.
In response to a question about her health, Trachtenberg replied: ‘@cathy_critz explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14? I’m 38. How sad for you to leave such a comment. (sic)’
Perry came to fame on Friends: see here with Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston in 1994
Trachtenberg subsequently shared a selfie and insisted that she was feeling ‘happy and healthy’.
The actress captioned the image: ‘I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery. I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters. (sic)’
Trachtenberg first found fame as a child, starring in TV commercials and the Nickelodeon series ‘The Adventures of Pete and Pete’.
In 2000, the actress joined the cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ as Dawn Summers. And between 2008 and 2012, Trachtenberg played Georgina Sparks on the hit teen drama series ‘Gossip Girl’.
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