Michelle Trachtenberg, the actress who played Harriet the Spy, died suddenly last month, leaving behind memories of her kindness and warmth. The actress had been making waves in the entertainment industry since she was a child star, alongside other young actors like Jonathan Lipnicki from Jerry Maguire.
Trachtenberg’s positive influence on her peers was evident even back then. At the 1997 Kids’ Choice Awards, where she faced off against Lipnicki in an ice-cube battle, it was her niceness to him that stuck with the author of this article. The experience highlighted the unusual calmness found among child actors.
As a child actor herself, Michelle had become familiar with the pressures and expectations that came with fame. However, when she spent time with other young stars, life felt more normal. Trachtenberg and another actress, who played Matilda, went on charity cruises together, where they even sang along to Grease tunes.
The news of Michelle’s passing hit close to home for the author, who had met her at events in the past. The shock was immediate – she felt like she might pass out after finding out about her death. Her hands shook and knees weakened as she processed the devastating news.
Source: https://www.vulture.com/article/mara-wilson-essay-child-actress-michelle-trachtenberg.html