7 Iconic Hayden Panettiere Roles From Her Years on Screen

The actress, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, died at 36

For many millennials, Hayden Panettiere was a familiar face—and voice—through some of the films and television shows that defined their younger years.

Hayden began working in entertainment as a child, appearing in commercials and television before taking on roles in films and shows that would make her a household name. Her representative confirmed her death at the age of 36. No cause of death has been disclosed.

From voicing characters in animated films to playing a super powered cheerleader and a country music star, Panettiere left behind a career that spanned decades.

Here are seven roles many fans will remember her for.

1. A Bug’s Life

For many A Bug’s Life fans, Hayden’s voice may have been one of their earliest introductions to her.

She voiced Princess Dot in the 1998 Pixar film and also served as its narrator. The role came early in her career, when she was still a child, and was one of several voice-acting projects she would take on.

2. Heroes

Hayden shot to international fame as Claire Bennet in Heroes.

Claire was a cheerleader with a remarkable ability to heal from injuries, making her one of the show’s most memorable characters. She starred in the NBC series from 2006 to 2010, and the role became one of the defining parts of her career.

3. Nashville

In Nashville, she took on a very different role as Juliette Barnes, a young country music star navigating fame, relationships, and the pressures of the music industry.

The role also allowed her to showcase her singing. She recorded songs for the series, many of which became part of the show’s soundtrack. Her performance as Juliette earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

4. Scream 4 and Scream VI

Horror fans will remember Hayden as Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise.

She first appeared as Kirby in 2011’s Scream 4, playing a friend of Jill Roberts, portrayed by Emma Roberts. More than a decade later, Hayden returned to the role in Scream VI in 2023.

For longtime Scream fans, Kirby’s return was one of the highlights of the sixth installment.

5. Remember the Titans

Hayden was just 11 when she appeared alongside Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans.

She played Sheryl Yoast, the daughter of football coach Bill Yoast, played by Will Patton. The 2000 Disney film became one of Panettiere’s early memorable movie roles.

Years later, Hayden recalled the film fondly, describing it as her favorite movie to film.

6. Ice Princess

For those who grew up watching Disney’s Ice Princess, Hayden was Gennifer “Gen” Harwood, one of the competitive skaters in the 2005 film.

The movie starred Michelle Trachtenberg as Casey Carlyle, a teenager who discovers a passion for figure skating. Hayden’s role was another memorable entry in her run of family and teen-oriented films during the 2000s.

7. Dinosaur

Before Heroes made her a household name, Hayden was already familiar to young audiences through another animated film.

She voiced Suri in Disney’s 2000 animated movie Dinosaur. It was another early voice role that showcased Panettiere’s work as a child actor.

Remembering Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere’s career was one that many fans grew up with. She went from voicing animated characters as a child to becoming a television star, recording music for Nashville, and returning to the Scream franchise more than a decade after her first appearance.

For millennials and longtime fans, her roles are part of the movies and television shows that shaped their younger years—and they are among the ways her work will continue to be remembered.

Before her death, Hayden also released her book, This Is Me, in which she recounts the challenges she faced with fame.

Hayden is survived by a daughter, Kaya with ex-fiance Wladimir Klitschko.

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