Photos of Hayden Panettiere with Her Costars Over the Years
Photos of Hayden Panettiere with Her Costars Over the Years
Samantha StutsmanTue, August 18, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC
0
‘Nashville’ cast members on Dec. 11, 2013, in Nashville.Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty
Hayden Panettiere had a decades-long film and TV career that began in childhood and continued until her sudden death at age 36.
One of Panettiere’s first major film roles was voicing Dot in Disney’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life. She went on to have a memorable supporting role in 2000’s Remember the Titans and appeared on the soap opera Guiding Light, where she met and became friends with Brittany Snow and Bethany Joy Lenz.
In 2005, she starred in Ice Princess alongside Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February 2025 at age 39. Panettiere went on to lead two major TV series, Heroes and Nashville, forging friendships with many of her costars along the way.
Following her death on Aug. 16, those who worked with Panettiere shared memories and tributes on social media and with PEOPLE. Justin Chatwin, who starred alongside Panettiere in her final movie, Sleepwalker, reflected on his own experience with addiction while remembering his costar, who suffered an apparent overdose.
“I’ve been sober for 15 years, so I know this world of addiction, and Hollywood — it takes, and it takes from youth,” he said. “[Hayden] was delightful and super open, and we had a great time together, and I’m just saddened that another one got taken down.”
Here are 12 photos of Hayden Panettiere with her film and TV costars over the years.
01 of 12
Frankie Muniz and Hayden Panettiere celebrate their film Racing Stripes
Hayden Panettiere and Frankie Muniz in 2005.Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Frankie Muniz and Panettiere worked together on 2005’s Racing Stripes. She starred as Channing Walsh, a teenager who dreams of becoming a jockey, while Muniz voiced Stripes, the zebra she trains and races.
Panettiere also guest-starred on Muniz’s hit sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle, appearing as Jessica in several episodes. Here, the two are pictured at the Los Angeles premiere of Racing Stripes.
“Very sad to hear about Hayden. I got to work with her on many projects and always had an absolutely great time with her,” Muniz wrote on Instagram following Panettiere’s death. “I have so many amazing stories and memories with her. I hope she rests in peace.”
02 of 12
Charles Esten and Hayden Panettiere take a costar selfie
Charles Esten and Hayden Panettiere.Credit: Charles Esten/Instagram
Charles Esten starred alongside Panettiere on Nashville for six seasons. The pair grew close during their time on the show, often snapping selfies on and off set. Panettiere also formed a close bond with Esten’s wife, Patty.
Paying tribute to his longtime costar on Instagram, Esten recalled their first meeting and how they became “fast friends” on set.
“She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette,” Esten wrote.
“What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend,” he continued. “She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me. Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone.”
03 of 12
Nashville costars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere attend a party together
Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere in 2012.Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty
Connie Britton also starred alongside Panettiere on Nashville for six seasons. Here, the costars share an embrace while posing for photos at an Entertainment Weekly and ABC party in New York City in 2012.
After learning of her death, Britton remembered Panettiere as “bursting with brilliance” on Instagram, adding, “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you, girl. Sleep easy now.”
04 of 12
Brittany Snow and Hayden Panettiere reunite after their soap opera days
Brittany Snow and Hayden Panettiere in 2006.Credit: John Shearer/WireImage
Snow and Panettiere played on-screen sisters on the soap opera Guiding Light for three years. In 2006, the pair reunited at the launch party for Kingdom Hearts II — a PlayStation video game for which they both voiced characters.
“I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you. Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were,” Snow wrote in a tribute to Panettiere on her Instagram Stories following the actress’ death.
She continued, “Always supportive, curious, funny and brave. You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit.”
05 of 12
Bethany Joy Lenz and Hayden Panettiere on the red carpet
Bethany Joy Lenz and Hayden Panettiere.Credit: Bethany Joy Lenz/Instagram
Lenz and Panettiere also appeared together on Guiding Light, and their friendship continued long after their time on the soap. Here, the women are pictured at the Los Angeles premiere of Blonde in 2022.
“She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera,” the One Tree Hill star recalled on Instagram in August 2026 of Panettiere’s soap opera days.
“We’d connect on and off over the years—but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths,” Lenz continued. “I don’t understand how this is real. It’s too young. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”
06 of 12
Viola Davis and Hayden Panettiere promote their first film together
Hayden Panettiere and Viola Davis in 2006.Credit: Evan Agostini/Getty
Viola Davis worked with Panettiere twice, first in 2006’s The Architect and again a decade later in Custody. Here, the costars posed for photos at the New York City premiere of The Architect.
Advertisement
“What an amazing talent you were ... so gifted. An old, wise soul with such a deep heart,” Davis wrote on Instagram. “I wish the world had more time with you.”
“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden,” she concluded.
07 of 12
Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere join a hit franchise
Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere in 2011.Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Costars Emma Roberts and Panettiere were all smiles as they posed for photos on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of Scream 4 in 2011.
In her tribute on Instagram, Roberts called Panettiere her “sweet friend” and someone “who will be forever missed.”
08 of 12
Milo Ventimiglia, David Anders and Hayden Panettiere on the set of Heroes
Milo Ventimiglia, David Anders and Hayden Panettiere.Credit: David Anders/Instagram
Panettiere is pictured here with her Heroes costars Milo Ventimiglia, who she also dated, and David Anders in between takes on set.
“One of the brighter lights I’ve ever met and had the privilege to call a friend,” Anders captioned the image on Instagram following her death. “I love you, Hayden. Always and forever. Wherever you are now.”
09 of 12
Dania Ramirez and Hayden Panettiere hang with fans
Dania Ramirez and Hayden Panettiere in 2007.Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty
During a break from filming, Heroes costars Dania Ramirez and Panettiere signed autographs at a Los Angeles film festival in 2007.
After learning of her death, Ramirez shared her heartbreak on Instagram, writing, “I love you and will always miss you.”
“I take comfort in knowing that I am with you in life and in death because your love and energy has always transcended this dimension,” she added.
10 of 12
Matt Lanter and Hayden Panettiere in the early 2000s
Hayden Panettiere and Matt Lanter.Credit: Matt Lanter/Instagram
Matt Lanter and Panettiere played love interests on two TV series, Commander in Chief and Heroes. Here, they’re pictured in a sweet photo together.
“She played my girlfriend on Commander in Chief then I went over to her show and played her boyfriend on S1 of Heroes. We always had a great time on set and tons of laughs,” Lanter wrote on Instagram following her death.
11 of 12
Hayden Panettiere with her on-screen mom, Sylvia Jefferies
Sylvia Jefferies and Hayden Panettiere.Credit: Sylvia Jefferies/Instagram
Sylvia Jefferies, who played Panettiere’s mom on Nashville, shared a lengthy and raw tribute to the actress on Instagram. Here, the on-screen mother-daughter duo pose together on the set of the hit series alongside another cast member.
Looking back on their time together, Jefferies acknowledged that Panettiere wasn’t always easy to be around.
“I remember calling her a downright tornado. But she was our tornado,” Jefferies explained. “She had an incredibly bright future ahead of her, although her inner demons were at times too much to bear.”
Jefferies also shared how proud she was of Panettiere for opening up about her life in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.
“I was so proud of her for sharing the real Hayden, something that had to be excruciatingly painful for such a gentle soul,” she continued. “Our hearts are shattered, but we can rest easy knowing that you’re at peace. I love you, sweet girl. Always, in all ways.”
12 of 12
A Nashville cast reunion
Charles Esten, Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson in 2013.Credit: Amanda Edwards/WireImage
Nashville cast members Esten, Panettiere, Britton, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson made an appearance at the 30th annual PaleyFest in 2013.
Palladio was a fan of Panettiere before he was cast alongside her on Nashville. The two went on to become close friends.
“Hayden. I’m totally, utterly heartbroken. You were generous, wise beyond your years and lit up every room with your star,” he wrote on Instagram. “It feels so incredibly sad that you’re not here and that you’d been through so much turmoil in recent years. You didn’t deserve any of it.”
Palladio concluded, “I’m sending love to you, sweet Hayden. Rest now and be free.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
