Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, had a long-term relationship with talent agent Jay Cohen, which lasted from at least 2020 until her untimely passing in February 2025. The two were first linked romantically in October 2020, when sources confirmed their relationship status, revealing that they had been together for over a year at that point.
Trachtenberg had signed with Cohen’s agency, Gersh, back in 2014, making it likely that they had known each other for years before their romantic involvement began. Cohen, a partner and head of film finance and distribution at Gersh, had an impressive Hollywood career that included working with industry icons like Dustin Hoffman, Kate Hudson, and Goldie Hawn. He also had producing credits in films like Swimming with Sharks, Two for the Money, and Bride Wars.
Who Was Michelle Trachtenberg’s Husband? Was She Married to Jay Cohen?
Michelle Trachtenberg was never publicly married and did not have a husband or children, but she was in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Jay Cohen, from 2020 until her passing in 2025. While engagement rumors surfaced in 2020 after she posted a photo with a diamond ring, she never confirmed any marriage plans. Cohen, a talent agent and producer, had kids from a previous relationship, but Trachtenberg did not have children of her own.
Their relationship was largely private, but there were glimpses of their affection over the years. In October 2020, Trachtenberg posted a selfie wearing a large diamond ring, sparking engagement rumors. Though she never confirmed an engagement, her caption, “I picked the right one 😜⚡️💍,” led to speculation. However, she quickly redirected attention to the upcoming U.S. election, urging her followers to vote.
Despite the mystery surrounding their relationship status, Cohen and Trachtenberg occasionally shared heartfelt moments on social media. On July 4, 2021, Cohen posted a picture with Trachtenberg, captioning it, “#fireworks are every day with this one!! 🎆.” The two celebrated Valentine’s Day together in 2023, with Cohen posting a photo of them and calling her “My valentine.” That same year, Trachtenberg also posted a rare picture of the couple, referring to them as “#valentines.”
The relationship continued to be affectionate but low-key. In March 2024, Michelle Trachtenberg wished Cohen a happy birthday with a playful post featuring a Halloween throwback of them dressed as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, saying, “Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me @jaymcohen ❤️🔥💋🎂.” This costume photo was significant, as it became one of her last social media posts when she reshared it on Valentine’s Day in 2025, just days before her passing. She captioned it, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the man who sits still long enough for me to paint his face. 🖤💚🩶 💋.”
Jay Cohen, besides being a talent agent and producer, was also a father to two daughters, Lili and Rachel. He often shared moments with them on Instagram, including a post from November 2023 celebrating Lili’s wedding. “My youngest Lili and Lyndsay now married. I gained a new beautiful sweet loving daughter in my family ❤️❤️,” he wrote.
Earlier that year, he posted about a vacation he took with his daughters, calling it their “first vacation in a while!” He clearly had a strong bond with his children, and his relationship with Trachtenberg remained separate from his family life, as they never publicly announced any plans for marriage or children of their own.
Michelle Trachtenberg Never Had Kids but Her Boyfriend, Jay Cohen, Had Two Children From a Previous Relationship
Michelle Trachtenberg did not have any kids of her own. However, her longtime boyfriend, Jay Cohen, had two daughters, Lili and Rachel, from a previous relationship. Cohen was a proud father and often shared moments with his daughters on social media, including celebrating Lili’s wedding in November 2023. While Trachtenberg and Cohen were together for several years, they never had children together or publicly discussed plans for starting a family.
Tragically, Michelle Trachtenberg passed away on February 26, 2025, at the age of 39. She was found unconscious in her New York City apartment, and though the official cause of death was not immediately disclosed, reports confirmed that she had recently undergone a liver transplant.
Police stated that her death was not being investigated as suspicious. Her final Instagram posts showed a mix of playfulness and affection, including her Valentine’s tribute to Jay Cohen. Her last birthday post, on October 11, 2024, read, “39 and I’m feeling fiiiiiine,” which gathered over 32,000 likes, making it one of her most engaged-with posts in her final months.
Throughout her career, Michelle Trachtenberg was admired for her talent and versatility, but in her personal life, she was a private individual. Her relationship with Cohen was one of the few aspects of her personal world that she occasionally shared, leaving behind a legacy not only of her work but also of the quiet but significant love she had with her longtime partner. Though they never officially confirmed an engagement or plans for children, it is evident that their relationship was strong and full of mutual admiration until the very end.
