Michelle Trachtenberg reportedly experienced "hardships" prior to her abrupt demise. The Gossip Girl veteran was discovered lifeless in New York City at age 39 on Wednesday, Feb. 26. PEOPLE's informant states that Trachtenberg felt "deeply depressed emotionally" during the previous year. The actress also confronted "medical problems" simultaneously.
Michelle Trachtenberg Dies At 39 (Source: www.forbes.com)
"She confided in companions about her difficulties," reveals the informant. "She battled severe illness and discussed her struggles candidly with her inner group." According to this insider, Trachtenberg physically appeared "blanched, emaciated" and "extremely skinny."
Law enforcement answered an emergency call at 1 Columbus Place in New York City approximately 8 a.m. on Feb. 26, as the NYPD verified to PEOPLE. "Officers discovered an unresponsive 39-year-old woman upon reaching the scene. Medical teams arrived and declared the individual dead. Foul play is not believed to be involved." Authorities continue their examination of the case.
The New York Post initially published the news. PEOPLE discovered Trachtenberg had lately received a liver replacement. An informant told ABC News this procedure possibly resulted in health complications.
While Trachtenberg never openly disclosed any medical conditions, she addressed critics questioning her health following an Instagram selfie posted January 2024. "Interesting information. This represents my actual face," she wrote beneath a subsequent image. "Not undernourishment no ailments. Why express negativity? Obtain a time-keeping device." Later, she posted: "I've noticed numerous remarks lately concerning my physical appearance. I haven't undergone cosmetic procedures I remain joyful and fit. Examine yourselves critics."
Michelle Trachtenberg Hit Back at Health Criticism 1 Year ... (Source: people.com)
Trachtenberg began her career filming advertisements before securing spots on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete and All My Children at age 9 in 1993. She later headlined Harriet the Spy in 1996, then portrayed Dawn Summers, Buffy's younger sibling, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Between 2008 and 2012, Trachtenberg embodied Georgina Sparks, a recurring personality on the popular series Gossip Girl. She revisited this character for two episodes of the Max revival in 2023, marking her final television performance.
Lauren Tewes left Hollywood and became cheese steward after losing baby
After starring for seven years as the cruise director on a ship that promised romance, this actor received much hostility when she was dismissed for her public struggle with cocaine.
The now 70-year-old celebrity went from being a beloved TV ship steward to working as a cheese server for a catering business in Seattle after destroying her career and personal life.
When "The Love Boat" premiered in 1977, the television show delivered on its promise to offer "something for everyone."
Viewers eagerly watched each week to follow the escapades of their favorite Pacific Princess crew members, including Captain Stubing and his daughter Vicki (Gavin McLeod and Jill Whelan), Doc (Bernie Kopell), Gopher (Fred Grandy), bartender Isaac (Ted Lange), and cruise director Cynthia Lauren Tewes, who began her role as Julie McCoy at age 23.
This Former TV Icon Became a Cheese Steward After Losing a ... (Source: news.amomama.com)
During the eighth season of this popular series, the Golden Globe nominated Tewes, who had secured the role over 100 other applicants, was noticeably missing from the ship. The actress was replaced by Patricia Klous, who portrayed her on-screen sister and new cruise director, Judy McCoy.
In a 1985 interview with TV Guide, executive producer Douglas Cramer explained Tewes' termination: "There were severe problems with Lauren. Not just recently, but for all of the seven years she was with The Love Boat... It was terribly disrupting."
Tewes lost her job on the show in 1984 due to her cocaine addiction.
"All that money didn't go into a bank. It went into my nose," Tewes admitted in the same interview. "I wanted to be one of the gang. I am ashamed to say it, but it's true. The first time I took cocaine I had just gotten the job on The Love Boat and I was on my way to a party. My date said, 'Let's do drugs.' And I said, 'What the heck?'
"The feeling it gave me was incredible euphoria. You think you are fine. You think you are stronger, braver. I thought it gave me the courage I missed. It was like going to Oz and asking for courage. But instead, I got cocaine."
In 2014, Tewes told Oprah Winfrey about her battle with cocaine addiction.
"I felt guilty, I felt shamed and humiliation and disgusted and disappointment, I knew that I had gotten myself into a situation I couldn't get out of by myself," she revealed. "I secretly begged and begged and begged for someone to help me. For me it was an issue with cocaine in the 1970's and early 1980's when it was a popular drug but if you ask anybody, I was the only one doing it in all of Hollywood. It was just me and nobody wanted to help me."
Fighting her addiction alone, the actress from the 1981 film "Eyes of a Stranger" began withdrawal in 1980, though it took several years for her to achieve sobriety.
"I realized I wasn't enjoying myself, I was destroying my health, and I was wasting all my money. So, I quit entirely," she explains in the TV Guide interview.
Family tragedy
This Former TV Icon Became a Cheese Steward After Losing a ... (Source: news.amomama.com)
After beoming sober, Tewes shifted her professional focus to theater, which provided her a fresh outlet to display her acting and directing skills.
During this period, she experienced two divorces before meeting Robert Nadir in 1993 while acting in an Arizona Theater Company production. The couple maintained a long-distance relationship for a year until Tewes relocated to Seattle to be with him.
"I chose to transform my entire life, which has proven wonderful for me," she stated in 1998. "The local theater community has welcomed me warmly."
The pair married in 1996, but tragedy struck in 2002 when Robert received a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He passed away that same year at 46. This wasn't Tewes' first experience with family loss. In 1987, she suffered the death of her 1-month-old daughter, who died following a premature birth.
'Victim of circumstance'
Her professional life never fully rebounded, though she secured minor roles on television shows including "Who's the Boss?", "The Fugitive" and "Twin Peaks." Tewes also joined her original castmates for an episode of "The Love Boat: The Next Wave," where her character develops a romance with Doc.
She did not participate in Princess Cruises' recent Love Boat at Sea Celebration, a seven-day themed cruise featuring several original cast members from the TV series including Kopell, Lange, Whelan and Grandy, who served as a congressman from 1987 to 1995. McLeod died in 2021 at 90 years old.
Despite her absence, her former colleagues remembered her fondly.
People magazine reports that Whelan, now 57, mentioned she regularly sees her former castmate, who travels to visit for weekends spent "cooking and just laughing and sharing stories all the time."
"We should talk about our friend, who is like a sister to all of us," says the former child actress. "She's a truly genuine, sweet person, and importantly, an exceptional actress. I look back at The Love Boat episodes and marvel at her ability to transition effortlessly between dramatic scenes and comedy. She remains one of our favorite people and we adore her."
Grandy also discussed her departure from the show, noting she "has recovered magnificently" and that the "circumstances of her dismissal were not so lovely."
"This happened in the early '80s, when substance abuse on sets was treated as a punishable offense," Grandy, 76, explained. "It wasn't viewed as a healthcare issue, and wasn't understood as it is today. To some extent, she became a victim of circumstance because the attention, care, and therapy she should have received came instead as discipline."
Today, she lends her voice to "Murder and the Murdochs," a comedy-mystery radio program produced by Imagination Theatre.
When not engaged in acting work, the 70-year-old culinary expert spends time refining her expertise as a cheese specialist with a catering company based in Seattle.
This Former TV Icon Became a Cheese Steward After Losing a ... (Source: news.amomama.com)
"I sincerely hope and pray that's all behind me now," Tewes tells the Los Angeles Times. "I believe I made correct decisions by trying to remain in the industry while it attempted to exclude me, by following my personal instincts and motivation, and by choosing to persevere through challenges."
What are your thoughts about Tewes and her removal from this famous TV series? Please share your opinions with us and pass this story along so we can hear others' perspectives!
Christina Applegate Hospitalized with Severe Kidney Infection: A Glimpse into Her Ongoing Battle with MS and the Fragility of Life
When Christina Applegate was rushed to the hospital with a severe kidney infection that spread to both organs, it wasn't just another celebrity health scare. It was a brutal reminder that life doesn't care about your fame, your fortune, or your fighting spirit.
The Invisible Battle Behind the Headlines
While fans were busy scrolling through their feeds, the beloved "Dead to Me" star was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to IV antibiotics, fighting an infection so painful she could barely speak. Recording her "MeSsy" podcast from her hospital room, Applegate's voice cracked as she admitted, "I'm holding in a bag of tears right now."
This isn't her first rodeo with medical emergencies. Since her multiple sclerosis diagnosis three years ago, she's been hospitalized over 30 times. Thirty. Times. Let that sink in.
When Your Body Becomes Your Enemy
Applegate's recent kidney infection is just the latest chapter in a health saga that reads like a medical textbook from hell. The 53-year-old actress has described living with MS as existing "kind of in hell" – dealing with unimaginable pain, constant nausea, and symptoms so severe they've landed her in the emergency room more times than she can count.
"For three years, since I was diagnosed, I've been in the hospital upwards of 30 times from throwing up and diarrhea and pain that is unimaginable," she revealed in a raw, unfiltered moment that most celebrities would never dare share.
The Cruel Irony of Celebrity Illness
Here's what really stings: We live in a world where we expect our celebrities to be invincible. We see them on red carpets, perfectly styled and smiling, and we forget they're human beings with the same fragile bodies as the rest of us. Applegate's story shatters that illusion completely.
While millions of people binge-watched her Emmy-nominated performance in "Dead to Me" during the pandemic, she was secretly battling symptoms that would eventually lead to her MS diagnosis. The show that made us laugh and cry was being created by someone living through her own private nightmare.
The Questions We're All Afraid to Ask
Applegate's health crisis forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our own mortality. If someone with access to the best medical care, unlimited resources, and a support system most of us can only dream of can be brought to their knees by illness, what does that mean for the rest of us?
Her neurologist told her that some of her symptoms aren't even related to MS – meaning her body is fighting multiple battles simultaneously. It's a terrifying reminder that health isn't something we can control, no matter how much money we have or how many people love us.
The Strength in Vulnerability
What makes Applegate's story so powerful isn't just her suffering – it's her refusal to suffer in silence. By recording her podcast from a hospital bed, by sharing the ugly details of her illness, she's doing something revolutionary: she's being real.
In an age of Instagram filters and carefully curated public images, Applegate is showing us what actual courage looks like. It's not about being fearless; it's about being afraid and sharing your story anyway.
The Wake-Up Call We All Need
Applegate's hospitalization isn't just celebrity gossip – it's a mirror reflecting our own vulnerability. Every single person reading this has a body that could betray them tomorrow. Every single one of us is living on borrowed time, pretending we're invincible until something proves we're not.
The actress who made us laugh as Kelly Bundy and broke our hearts in "Dead to Me" is now teaching us the most important lesson of all: life is fragile, health is precious, and tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Beyond the Headlines
As Applegate continues her recovery, her story serves as a stark reminder that behind every "celebrity hospitalized" headline is a real person, with real pain, fighting real battles. Her kidney infection will heal, but her MS won't go away. She'll continue facing each day knowing her body is working against her.
And maybe that's exactly what we all need to remember – not just about Christina Applegate, but about everyone around us fighting invisible battles we know nothing about.
The next time you see a celebrity health update, remember: these aren't just headlines. They're human beings, just as fragile and mortal as the rest of us, reminding us that in the end, we're all just trying to survive another day.
This Beauty Was Miss America 1955 and Now Battles the Same Illness as Her Daughter – See Her Transformation
She initially won America's admiration as a beauty queen and later captivated viewers in films for many years. Yet, behind the scenes of Hollywood, her life has been filled with love, personal struggles, and perseverance. Here is the story of this actress and her evolution over time.
A young woman with ambitions for the stage never expected a spontaneous choice would lead her to national recognition. Raised in Phoenix, she was the daughter of an accountant who also dreamed of performing.
While studying drama in college, a friend advised her to compete in a local beauty contest. That one decision earned her the title of Miss America in 1955, which shaped her public image but did not limit her goals.
"To this day, I am unsure why they chose me. I hope it was because I played a talent that made them sit up. I performed as a 70-year-old Irish mother mourning her last son lost at sea," she explained.
"I removed all my makeup, wore a shawl and my father’s black socks — the costume I used in a high school play. It was the only thing I knew how to do. I’m an actress, that’s what I wanted," she added.
She became the first Miss America serenaded with “There She Is, Miss America” during her reign. Her year was packed with memorable moments, from winning over $60,000 in prizes and cash to meeting famous personalities like Juan Perón.
She even dated baseball icon Joe DiMaggio, although her mother and columnist Walter Winchell kept their relationship chaperoned. Despite the fame, she was aware that the title carried certain stereotypes.
Many thought pageant winners were beautiful but lacked intelligence. She was determined to disprove that. After her reign, she joined "The Today Show" as an analyst, working with Dave Garroway.
"Midway through my tour as Miss America, I got a call from 'The Today Show' asking me to join as a regular. I was thrilled," she recalled.
This opportunity launched her TV career and allowed her to use her scholarship to study acting with Lee Strasberg. She improved her skills in acting, singing, and fencing, preparing for a lasting entertainment career.
Her move from beauty queen to actress was quick. She made her TV debut in "The Philco Television Playhouse" and landed her first film role in "The 4-D Man."
Over time, she became recognizable in Hollywood with notable roles such as Catwoman in the "Batman" TV series, and parts in films like "Angel in My Pocket" and "The Undefeated."
In 1958, she married actor Frank Aletter, and they had two daughters, Kyle and Lesley. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1973, but she stayed deeply involved in her children's lives.
Her daughters also entered show business; Kyle appeared with her mother in productions like "The Gingerbread Lady" and "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove." Lesley became a stunt performer.
They even performed together in "Circus of the Stars," showing their adventurous side. Later, she found love again with actor Marshall Borden while performing in "Angel Street."
They married in 1986 while acting together in San Francisco. Their professional relationship strengthened their romantic bond.
Sadly, her life took a difficult turn when she and her daughter Kyle were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a diagnosis Kyle shared publicly during an interview.
Despite her daughter’s illness, she maintained humor about her own health issues, describing a brain tumor as "the easiest one I went through." As Kyle’s condition worsened, she realized her life had led her to that moment—being by her mother’s side.
She reflected, “When my surgeries caught up with me, I had to leave my work — and that was Mom.” She emphasized the importance of balance in life and care responsibilities, expressing gratitude.
In 2003, she participated in "A Life Celebration for Buddy Ebsen" in North Hollywood. Unfortunately, Kyle eventually lost her battle with Alzheimer’s, marking the end of their shared journey.
"Model Kyle Aletter passed away from Alzheimer’s on Wednesday, July 31. Pray for her family, and may she rest in peace," announced a social media post in 2024.
Despite the loss, she refused to withdraw from the stage. Even before her daughter’s passing, she was working on a memoir titled "From the Boardwalk to the Catwalk."
She continued to perform, including a one-woman show called "The Women of Spoon River," portraying twenty-three different women within an hour. At age in her 70s, she still auditioned for roles, including voice parts for "Tom and Jerry."
"That’s fun. I love it," she said when asked if she planned to slow down. Her secret to staying youthful included good genes, a positive outlook, and simple routines like upward facial rubbing.
Maintaining an active lifestyle was important; she went to the gym three times weekly. “Having a good sense of humor helps. The laugh lines will be there whether you want them or not, so let them be,” she advised.
Apart from her career, she has dedicated herself to humanitarian causes. She served as honorary chairwoman of Ability First, which supports those with disabilities.
She also supported the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Blind Children’s Center. Her compassion extended to animals through her work with Actors and Others for Animals.
Most importantly, she cherished her role as a grandmother. Over the years, she has remained a symbol of grace, strength, and beauty. Many social media users continue to admire how stunning she looks at 89.
Several comments expressed admiration: "You are still a true American beauty," "That radiant smile!" "As beautiful as years ago. Great genes," and "Your eyes are as captivating as ever."
From winning Miss America to fighting the same illness that took her daughter, Lee Meriwether has shown resilience and resolve. Whether on the screen, stage, or through her charitable work, her legacy is rooted in strength, love, and a life filled with purpose.
