7 Fan-Favorite 90s and 00s Hollywood Stars Who Died Too Early

When the TV show craze first kicked off, we all eagerly waited for each new episode, and the stars became our best friends. Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, some of these actors couldn’t even walk down the street without getting mobbed by a wall of fans. The same fans who wrote them letters and dreamed of meeting them.

But no matter how famous or admired someone may be, they are still humanvulnerable to illness, addiction, and the fragility of the body. Sometimes, all it takes is one serious health issue or an untreated struggle to bring even the brightest life to a tragic end.

1. Michelle Trachtenberg (1985-2024)

Michelle Trachtenberg started acting at just 3 years old. Fans loved her as Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and later in EuroTrip and Gossip Girl as the scheming Georgina Sparks. But after Gossip Girl, her career quieted down.

She dated a few celebrities over the years, and in 2020, she was in a relationship with agent Jay Cohen, who was 24 years older. Her changing appearance sparked media gossip, with rumors of plastic surgery and extreme diets, which Michelle denied.

On February 26, 2024, the shocking news came: Michelle had died in her apartment at just 39. Later, it came to light that she had recently undergone a liver transplant. Some sources said it was due to addiction struggles, likely alcohol-related. Her health declined after surgery, and she looked visibly unwell in her final days. Those who knew her say she had sharp talent and a great sense of humor.