Hayden Panettiere was a talented actress who gave memorable performances in both movies and television.
On August 16, it was announced that Panettiere tragically died at the age of 36. The case is currently under investigation, and the initial police report states “no foul play or suspicious circumstances.” Many tributes have come pouring in to celebrate the life and career of Panettiere.
In honor of Panettiere, let’s take a look at her five most iconic roles in movies and TV shows.
Hayden Panettiere’s most iconic movies and TV roles
Heroes
In 2006, Panettiere starred as Claire Bennet in Heroes, an NBC superhero drama created by Tim Krig. The show depicted a world in which ordinary people found out they had superpowers. These new heroes then must come together for a showdown to defend and save the world.
Claire, a high school cheerleader, can regenerate her cells, a healing power similar to that of Wolverine from The X-Men. The entire marketing campaign for the first season was built around her character and this tagline, “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World.” While Heroes was an ensemble show, Panettiere quickly became one of the show’s breakout stars. It will probably go down as the defining role of her career.
Remember the Titans
Panettiere was a child star who began acting on soap operas. However, her breakout role in movies came in 2000’s Remember the Titans. The football drama stars Denzel Washington as Herman Boone, the new head coach of the T. C. Williams High School football team in 1971. With the school recently integrated, Coach Boone must teach his players to put aside their differences and come together as a team to become champions.
Panettiere plays Sheryl Yoast, the daughter of defensive coordinator Bill Yoast. As a tomboy, Sheryl is obsessed with football, something you wouldn’t expect from a little girl. Sheryl is famously seen screaming at the refs in a fiery performance still memorable to this day.
Nashville
Aside from Heroes, Nashville is Panettiere’s other notable television role. The country music drama features Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, an aging star trying to stay relevant. Panettiere plays Juliette Barnes, a young and emerging talent who wants to replace Jaymes at the top.
Panettiere garnered critical acclaim for her work in Nashville and showcased her excellent singing capabilities. Panettiere received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.
Scream 4
In 2011, Panettiere starred in Scream 4, the fourth movie in the iconic horror franchise. Set 15 years after the original Woodsboro murders, a new Ghostface killer is now on the loose as it targets more high school students. One of the teenagers is Panettiere’s Kirby Reed, who is friends with Sidney Prescott’s cousin, Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts).
In the movie, Charlie stabs Kirby, leaving her to bleed out and die. However, Kirby survives the attack and eventually reappears in 2023’s Scream VI as an FBI agent working to stop the next Ghostface killer.
Bring It On: All or Nothing
Panettiere went from child star to teen it-girl in Bring It On: All or Nothing. Panettiere stars as Britney Allen, the wealthy captain of the cheerleading squad at Pacific Vista High School. When Britney’s father loses her job, they are forced to move to Crenshaw Heights.
At her new school, Britney is the outcast and at the bottom of the totem pole on the cheerleading squad. However, her new team eventually accepts Britney as they prepare to battle her old school in a competition. The first Bring It On movie is still the most beloved, but Bring It On: All or Nothing is arguably the best sequel.
Originally written by Dan Girolamo at ComingSoon.
