Trending 17th August 2026 by Jade Hayden

A Look Back At Hayden Panettiere’s Era Defining Career

She passed away this weekend

If you grew up in the 90s, chances are you’ll be more than familiar with the work of Hayden Panettiere.

A child actor turned Golden Globe nominee, Hayden began her career in voice acting for Pixar, eventually going on to star in some of television’s biggest shows of the noughties.

The 36 year old sadly passed away this month, leaving behind a life’s work that’s seriously impressive and regrettably unfinished.

Here’s a look back at Hayden’s era defining career.

1998 – A Bug’s Life

In the late 90s, Hayden took on her first major role – as Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.

Hayden was just seven years old when she voiced the ant Princess, who encourages misfit Flik to embark on an odyssey to save their colony.

2000 – Remember The Titans

Hayden starred in sports drama Remember The Titans alongside Denzel Washington and Ryan Gosling in the year 2000.

Her character, Sheryl, was the daughter of assistant football coach, Bill Yoast. Hayden was just 10 years old in the film.

via Disney

2002 – Ally McBeal

A few years later Hayden was cast in the final season of the much loved series, Ally McBeal.

Hayden played Ally’s long-lost daughter who had been conceived in an egg bank mix up. Her introduction into the show served as a major plot point for the series’ fifth and final season.

2005 – Ice Princess

Panettiere starred alongside the late Michelle Trachtenberg in this Disney movie about one girl’s desire to become an ice skater, much to the frustration of her mother.

Hayden played Gen in the film, the coach’s daughter.

2006 – Bring It On: All Or Nothing

Hayden starred in the Bring It On sequel alongside Solange Knowles-Smith in 2006 – a major step in Panettiere’s career as she began taking on roles more fit to a teenager.

In the film she played Britney, a student who moves to a working class school and tries out as a cheerleader.

2006 – Heroes

The mid noughties saw Hayden take on her biggest role to date – as cheerleader Claire Bennett in NBC’s sci-fi superhero series, Heroes.

The show followed regular people discovering their superpowers, and centred around the tagline: “Save the cheerleader, save the world.”

Heroes’ first season was critically acclaimed, starring other major actors like Zachery Quinto, Kristen Bell, Ali Larter, and Milo Ventimiglia.

via NBC

2009 – I Love You, Beth Cooper

At the height of her Heroes fame, Hayden starred alongside Paul Rust in teen romcom, I Love You, Beth Cooper.

The movie was based on the book of the same name, in which a high school graduate confesses his love for cheerleader, Beth Cooper.

2012 – Nashville

In 2012, Panettiere took on what was soon to be the biggest role of her career – Juliette Barnes in Nashville.

The series ran for six seasons, and saw Hayden nominated for two Golden Globes. She starred alongside Connie Britton in the drama.

2023 – Scream VI

Hayden’s most recent and recognisable role was as Kirby Reed in horror franchise Scream.

The actor first appeared as Kirby in Scream 4 in 2011, and again in Scream VI in 2023. In the sixth instalment, Kirby is an FBI agent who arrives in town to assist in the Ghostface investigation.