Late Actress Michelle Trachtenberg Was Reportedly On A New Career Path Before Her Shocking Death

More details about Michelle Trachtenberg's final days continue to emerge, with a former colleague sharing her plans before her tragic passing.

Director and producer Casey Tebo spilled the tea about the late actress, revealing they had been close to landing studio support for her screenplay before her death. He described the project as one of the best he had ever seen, hailing Trachtenberg for her talents.

His words come over a week after Michelle Trachtenberg took her final breath on  February 26, 2025, at 39. Tributes poured in from her family, friends, and former co-stars. However, the Academy Awards notably excluded her from its In Memoriam segment, sparking backlash.

Movie producer Tebo raved about Trachtenberg's screenplay to sources, claiming her work impressed studios when they pitched it. The late actress wrote "Toy Monster," based on a book of the same name, and had tried to land studio support in the years before her death.

However, getting the screenplay funded was a challenge for Trachtenberg and Tebo. They initially found a major studio to take on the project years ago but were forced back to square one when the organization's head left to manage another company.

Trachtenberg and Tebo's efforts continued until they made a breakthrough about a month ago when a "very successful finance studio" expressed interest in the screenplay. Unfortunately, the project has been paused, given the entertainer's passing, per TMZ.

Although Trachtenberg won't be here to continue the effort in turning her screenplay into a movie, Tebo expressed willingness to carry on the burden. The director noted his late partner wished to see the film and stressed his determination to make it in her honor.

He noted fans would be impressed to learn how "brilliant" of a writer Trachtenberg was, adding that it was "tragic" her talents had gone unnoticed for so long. According to Tebo, many did not see the late actress for her screenplay skills and only saw her as the witty or hot character she once embodied onscreen.

Tebo believed the potential movie would finally give Trachtenberg the recognition she deserved. As stated, the latter died last Wednesday at 39 after her mother found her unresponsive in her New York City apartment. Her cause of death remains "undetermined" because her family objected to an autopsy.

The 97th Academy Awards honored the best of the best in Hollywood and also stars who died in the past year. However, the event's In Memoriam segment got fans talking on X for failing to acknowledge Trachtenberg's death. The Blast covered the drama, noting many saw the omission as a snub.

"Oh f-ck yall for not including Michelle Trachtenberg. So disrespectful," a fuming fan declared. Another echoed similar sentiments, calling the exclusion a "huge oversight." A third agreed, writing:

"Michelle Trachtenberg not being mentioned in the in memoriam section of the Oscars is upsetting. You are and will remain so so loved and admired Michelle."

Trachtenberg wasn't the only late star ignored in the Oscars' In Memoriam segment, as other beloved entertainers didn't make the list.

Those excluded included "Candyman" star Tony Todd, "Gen V" actor Chance Perdomo, Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, and "Beverly Hills, 90210" actress Shannen Doherty.

According to reports, Trachtenberg's mom discovered her deceased around 8 a.m. on February 26.

The late actress had gone into cardiac arrest before her heartbreaking discovery, with the New York Police Department confirming that officers and paramedics arrived to find Trachtenberg "unconscious and unresponsive."

Following news of her demise, sources claimed Trachtenberg had struggled with health issues privately. However, without an autopsy, it was unclear if these claims were valid. As for the authorities' initial report about the late actress's death, they stressed that there were no signs of foul play.

Family and friends have dropped multiple tributes in Trachtenberg's memory, with many reflecting on their time together. The Blast shared that actress Rosie O'Donnell remembered her time with the late entertainer and her biggest regret.

O'Donnell met Trachtenberg on the set of the movie "Harriet the Spy." The film marked the latter's debut on the big screen at 10, but her young age did not stop her from leaving a long-lasting impression on the older actress.

O'Donnell lamented not spending more time with Trachtenberg and seemingly hinted at her private issues, writing: "I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped."

Another co-star from the same movie, J. Smith-Cameron, raved about her fantastic working experience with Trachtenberg. She praised the late actress's talents and personality, remembering her as always warm and charming.

Will Michelle Trachtenberg's final project be made into a film per her last wishes?