Kenan Thompson is reflecting on the “shock” of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death.
“I got that text from my business partner Johnny [Ryan Jr.] and I didn’t understand what the headline was,” Thompson, 46, told E! News in an interview published on Monday, March 10. “I just saw her picture, and it was like, ‘Pass away.’ Those are the two words that I saw and I was like, ‘That’s not right. Why would that be the case?’”
Us Weekly confirmed on February 26 that Trachtenberg was found unconscious inside her New York City apartment at age 39. The next day, the city medical examiner’s office told The New York Post that her death was officially listed as “undetermined” because her family objected to an autopsy. While multiple sources told Us that Trachtenberg had a liver transplant before her death, it is unclear whether the organ transplant played a role in her death.
“If she was suffering, it would have been nice to have been one of the people that might have been able to ease some of that suffering,” Thompson said. “Anything like that. If she needed a shoulder or an extra ear. She’s loved. I just hope that there’s no more pain now.”
Kenan Thompson Reacts to ‘Friend’ Michelle Trachtenberg’s Death
After the Saturday Night Live star and Trachtenberg met in the ‘90s, Thompson said the pair were “semi-going back-and-forth” with each other on Instagram — but not on a regular basis, “just randomly.”
“When we did Good Burger, she was like, ‘Where’s my cameo? Happy for you guys,’” he said of the 1997 film. “I wish it was a lot less sporadic. Just [make] sure that you know what people are going through.”
Days after Trachtenberg’s death, the Gossip Girl actress was omitted from the 2025 Oscars In Memoriam montage. However, she was listed as one of the names that Hollywood has lost in 2024-2025 on the official Academy website.
Thompson, for his part, reacted to Trachtenberg’s exclusion from the ceremony. “Shame on you, Oscars,” he said.
Michelle Trachtenberg Was ‘Thrown’ Health ‘Curveballs’ Before Death
After news broke of Trachtenberg’s death last month, Thompson paid tribute to the actress. Alongside his message, Thompson shared a clip of the twosome from the 1999 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Trachtenberg appeared as a commentator during a “mega mini golf” competition between Thompson and Randy “Macho Man” Savage.
“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” Thompson wrote via Instagram. “She was my friend and now she rests!! 
Check on your people!!! 
.”
