Michelle Trachtenberg's Family: All About the Late Actress' Parents and Sister — and Why Her Mom Was Her 'Inspiring Force'

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg and mom Lana. ; Michelle Trachtenberg and sister Irene.Photo:J. Vespa/WireImage (2)

J. Vespa/WireImage (2)

Michelle Trachtenbergcounted her parents and sister as her biggest supporters before her death at age 39.

The actress, whodied on Feb. 26, got her start as a Nickelodeon child star in the 1990s before rising to fame with roles inBuffy the Vampire SlayerandGossip Girl.

In a March 2005 interview withBlackfilm, Michelle shared that although her mom, Lana, was “never a stage mom,” she had “always been there.”

“She is really proud of me, and is really happy that I’m doing something that I love,” the actress said. “She never pushed any of her particular ideals or opinions on me. She always just did what was best and she’s been my inspiring force.”

Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment early in the morning on Feb. 26. Although a cause has yet to be determined, a source toldABC Newsthat Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have had complications.

Here’s everything to know about Michelle Trachtenberg’s parents, Lana and Michael, and sister, Irene.

They raised her in Brooklyn, then California

Michelle Trachtenberg and sister Irene.Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

Michelle Trachtenberg/Instagram

Michelle was born in New York, and her family moved to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where she was raised alongside her sister, Irene.

However, around the age of 12, as her career began to take off, she relocated to Los Angeles while remaining “bicoastal for a little bit,” as she explained in a 2005radio interview.

Despite adjusting to life in Hollywood, Michelle still cherished parts of her childhood. In the same interview, she recalled how she “loved going to the movies when [she] was little with [her] mom.”

Her mom is from Russia and her dad is from Germany

Michelle Trachtenberg and her mother Lana.Gustavo Caballero/Getty

Gustavo Caballero/Getty

In the 2005 radio interview, Michelle shared that she “always heard it around the house,” and it was the only way she could communicate with her grandparents.

When Michelle stepped into the role of Marina Oswald, the wife ofJohn F. Kennedy’s killer, in 2013’sKilling Kennedy, it required her to speak Russian for most of the film. Although she had a background in the language, Michelle relied on her mother’s help to embody the role.

“Before I’d signed on to it, [the script] was predominantly all in Russian,” Michelle toldFox Newsin November 2013. “My mom actually was my translator and broke down the entire script for me.”

Michelle described her mom as “excellent”

Michelle Trachtenberg and her mother Lana.L. Cohen/WireImage

L. Cohen/WireImage

In aSeptember 2012 interviewwithPerez Hilton, Trachtenberg said that although her mother didn’t work in the business, she made an impact on those she crossed paths with in the industry.

“Literally to this day, I have people come up to me, like producers that I worked with when I was 8 or 9 years old, and they’re like, ‘How’s your mom?’ because she has such a great reputation,” theBuffy the Vampire Slayerstar said. “She’s pretty excellent.”

She and her mom bonded over cooking

In a June 2008Cosmopolitanblog post, Trachtenberg shared that she and her mother, Lana, bonded over cooking.

“My mom is an amazing cook who always prepared the most delicious meals for me and my sister while we were growing up,” she wrote. “We all know that a home-cooked meal is much more satisfying than a frozen dinner or a quick stop at the drive-thru!”

Michelle revealed that she and Lana had spent years “dreaming” of writing a cookbook filled with quick, healthy recipes families could make together.

As a step toward that goal, Michelle shared one of their favorite dishes — a spinach and feta cheese pasta — as a way to “begin the taste bud celebration.”

She had a close relationship with her sister Irene

Michelle Trachtenberg and sister Irene.J. Vespa/WireImage

J. Vespa/WireImage

Though Irene prefers to stay out of the spotlight, she maintained a close bond with her famous sister.

In January 2015, Michelle posted a photo with Irene onInstagram, writing, “Happy Birthday to my amazing sister!!! Love you @trachtie #BestSisterInTheWorld.”

Although Michelle lived largely in the spotlight, Irene prefers to be more private. In January 2021, Michelle shared anotherInstagrampost for Irene’s birthday, even though Irene “does not enjoy” having her photos posted on Michelle’s account.

The celebration happened amid the pandemic, and Michelle wrote that Irene’s birthday wish was for “everyone to wear a mask, be aware of their health, be considerate of everyone struggling, and to remember to love.”

She was “grateful” for her mom and sister

Irene Trachtenberg, Michelle Trachtenberg and Lana Trachtenberg.Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

Michelle frequently expressed her gratitude for her mom and sister. Ahead of Thanksgiving in November 2020, the actress shared a message onInstagramreflecting on what she appreciated, writing, “I’m so very grateful for my 30+ year career, my mom, my sister.”

“As we get ready for Thanksgiving, and most can’t be with their family or friends due to the global pandemic,” she wrote. “My hope is, that you can still find something to be grateful for. And perhaps: it’s just being alive during these wild times.”

source: people.com