Michelle Trachtenberg Honored With "45-Second Silence" During Screening of Her Final Project
A recent screening of Michelle Trachtenberg's final project paid tribute to the actress after her passing at the age of 39.
Producer Jennifer Hutchins shared her thoughts during the screening on March 12, according to People. "I had the pleasure to work with Michelle on 'Spyral'," she said. "I never thought that this film would become her last." Hutchins also noted that Trachtenberg voiced Michelle Cody White, the main character based on a true story depicted in Spyral. "Being in the room with her, she fully embodied Michelle Cody White. We often took breaks, wiping away tears as we listened to her read intimate letters and journals," Hutchins added.
Before showing the film, Hutchins requested a "45-second silence for Michelle."
In "Spyral," Trachtenberg portrayed White, a woman facing undiagnosed bipolar disorder and addiction. She became involved in the project in 2021, four years before her death. "It didn’t take long to realize that the perfect Michelle Cody White just walked in," Hutchins revealed to Us Weekly earlier this month. "Michelle expressed how deeply she felt about this project and her desire to support mental health awareness."
Hutchins described Trachtenberg's dedication to the role. "The energy she put into becoming Michelle Cody White was almost eerie," she recalled. "It was remarkable acting that had us all emotional. She took breaks because it was incredibly taxing. What she read was so personal, emotional, and raw that she really absorbed that experience."
News of Trachtenberg's death reached the public on February 26 when she was found in her New York City apartment. Her family's objection to an autopsy left the cause of death as "undetermined." Trachtenberg is survived by her parents, sister, and boyfriend, Jay Cohen.
"I’ve been on this journey for so long with her," Hutchins reflected on Trachtenberg's passing. "Being around her felt like being with an old friend. She was sweet, warm, gentle, and exceptionally professional."
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