Rosie O’Donnell Wishes She ‘Could Have Been There for’ Michelle Trachtenberg ‘More’

Rosie O’Donnell had recently reconnected with the late Michelle Trachtenberg in the years before her death.

O’Donnell and Trachtenberg starred in Harriet the Spy together in 1996, and O’Donnell said that the actress, who died at 39 in February, was “just epic” during their time on the movie.

“That little girl was something else,” O’Donnell, 63, told Entertainment Tonight of Trachtenberg, who was just 10 years old when they made the movie. “That was a book that meant a lot to me when I was a little girl and I just loved her.”

“We reconnected about three years ago and we would talk on the phone and you know, she was struggling in a lot of ways,” she continued. “And I just wish that I could’ve been there for her more than I was able to [be].”

The comedian expressed her love for Trachtenberg’s sister and mother, who she said she’s “friends with” and has “spoken” to since the actress’ death, as she added of Michelle, “I miss her and I love her and it’s a tragic, tragic loss and it pained me greatly.”

Following the news of the Gossip Girl actress’ death two months ago, O’Donnell spoke out in a statement about the “heartbreaking” news, as she said, “I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”

Trachtenberg’s official cause of death was confirmed last week, as the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to PEOPLE it was natural and the result of complications of diabetes mellitus.

She was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her New York City apartment on Feb. 26 by police officers and pronounced dead at the scene, the NYPD told PEOPLE at the time. No criminality was ever suspected.

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In 2021, Trachtenberg marked the 25th anniversary of Harriet the Spy and she said in an interview with ET that O’Donnell was her “biggest supporter” on the film’s set.

There was a lot required of me. I’m extremely grateful for the experience,” she said, adding that her costar “protected me so much.”