local
Rosie O'Donnell says Michelle Trachtenberg was ‘in pretty bad shape' before she died
By Julia Elbaba at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· July 17, 2026
· 3 min read
Rosie O’Donnell opened up about the death of her “Harriet the Spy” costar Michelle Trachtenberg.
O’Donnell, 64, said the actress, who died at 39, had been privately struggling with addiction as her health declined. She said they stayed in touch only intermittently as Trachtenberg’s condition w...
Key takeaway O’Donnell, 64, said the actress, who died at 39, had been privately struggling with addiction as her health declined.
Why this matters in Frisco News
In the wake of Michelle Trachtenberg's death, Rosie O'Donnell's candid discussion about her struggles with addiction serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals and families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While Trachtenberg's passing occurred in Manhattan, her story resonates with local communities grappling with the complexities of addiction and substance abuse. The fact that Trachtenberg's health declined despite her outward appearance of happiness and well-being underscores the need for increased awareness and support services in Collin and Denton counties. As O'Donnell noted, addiction can be a silent and deadly struggle, and it is crucial for local residents to recognize the signs and seek help when needed. The Frisco community, in particular, can learn from Trachtenberg's story and work towards creating a supportive environment for those struggling with addiction, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and access to resources.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Rosie O’Donnell opened up about the death of her “Harriet the Spy” costar Michelle Trachtenberg.
O’Donnell, 64, said the actress, who died at 39, had been privately struggling with addiction as her health declined. She said they stayed in touch only intermittently as Trachtenberg’s condition w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Julia Elbaba at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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