Michelle Trachtenberg, Shawn Ashmore. Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Shawn Ashmore will forever hold late ex-girlfriend Michelle Trachtenberg in his heart upon her sudden death.
“Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing,” Ashmore, 45, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, February 26, sharing a throwback red carpet image of the pair. “She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly.”
He added, “She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a Law and Order: SVU marathon. My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene. This is an incredible loss!”
Ashmore dated Trachtenberg in the early 2000s amid their respective teen careers. While Ashmore was best known for his roles in Cadet Kelly, The Animorphs and 2000’s X-Men, Trachtenberg famously appeared on the likes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl and Harriet the Spy.
Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Michelle Trachtenberg. The Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum was found unconscious inside of her Midtown West apartment in New York City, police sources confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 26. She was 39 years old. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle […]
Us Weekly confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Trachtenberg had been found dead inside her New York City apartment at the age of 39. An investigation is ongoing and a cause of death has not been revealed.
“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a rep for the actress told Us in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”
Trachtenberg is survived by parents Michael and Lana, as well as her sister, Irene, and her boyfriend, Jay Cohen. News broke in October 2020 that the Ice Princess star was dating her Gersh talent agent and they remained together at the time of her death.
“Happy Valentine’s Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face,” she gushed via Instagram earlier in February, sharing a throwback Halloween image.
Michelle Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at the age of 39. “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” a rep for the actress told Us Weekly in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.” Trachtenberg is survived by parents […]
Two decades earlier, Trachtenberg dated Ashmore. They were together from 2004 to 2006.
“Well, I put out an ad in the classifieds: Wanted, superhero. I’m a damsel in distress. No, we just met, which is funny, knowing Shawn, he hates anything publicity,” Trachtenberg joked to BlackFilm in March 2005. “He’s so not into that world. We met at an Oscar party and he was just, like, Mr. Grumpy unhappy to be out in public and I totally approached him.”
She added, “I was the forward one, I take full credit and actually, we’ve been together a year.”
Ashmore, who has recently been on The Rookie, eventually moved on with Dana Wasdin and they tied the knot in 2012. Together, they share son Oliver.