The actresses costarred in the 2005 Disney film “Ice Princess.”
Hayden Panettiere, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ actress, dies at 36
Hayden Panettiere, the former child actress who rose to fame with roles in TV series like “Heroes” and Nashville,” has died at the age of 36.
Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg were the dynamic duo for a generation.
The actresses and former child stars costarred together in the 2005 Disney film “Ice Princess,” playing unlikely best friends Casey Carlyle and Gen Harwood.
Two decades later, Panettiere and Trachtenberg’s legacies would tragically intertwine again with their respective deaths.
Panettiere died on Sunday, Aug. 16, in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 36, a representative for the actress confirmed to USA TODAY. Authorities were alerted to Panettiere’s death after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman at an apartment complex.
Panettiere’s death comes a year and half after her former costar Trachtenberg, who died last February at age 39.
How did Hayden Panettiere die?
A cause of death for Panettiere has not yet been confirmed.
On Aug. 16, at about 1:51 p.m., Greenville Police Department officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a call made by an acquaintance of Panettiere reporting an unresponsive woman at an apartment complex, police confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 17.
Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the woman, later identified as Panettiere, was pronounced dead, according to police, who added that no foul play is suspected. The Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office are currently investigating.
How did Michelle Trachtenberg die?
Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City luxury apartment building at 8 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2025, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department previously confirmed to USA TODAY. Upon arriving at her unit, officers found a 39-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive; EMS officials responded to the scene and found the actress dead.
Two months later, New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner released a statement announcing the cause and manner of Trachtenberg’s death as complications of diabetes mellitus. The manner was determined to be natural.
‘Ice Princess’: Hayden Panettiere, Michelle Trachtenberg make movie magic
Panettiere and Trachtenberg, already bona fide child stars, joined forces on “Ice Princess,” a coming-of-age drama about high school brainiac Casey Carlyle, who unexpectedly falls in love with figure skating while working on a physics project.
Panettiere played Gen Harwood, daughter of the local ice skating rink manager Tina Harwood (Kim Cattrall). Intimidated by Casey’s growing skating prowess, Tina initially attempts to sabotage the teen’s progress to maintain Gen’s competitive edge. But over the course of the film, the young women become good friends, with Gen helping the socially awkward Casey come out of her shell.
In one moving scene, Gen helps Casey apply her makeup before a skating competition. During their conversation, Gen also teases Casey about her burgeoning romance with her brother, Teddy (Trevor Blumas). “Look, I really appreciate the effort, but I don’t think there’s a lot to work with,” a skeptical Casey says, moments before Gen reveals her makeover in the mirror.
“You’re hot,” Gen tells Casey. “But stay away from Brian, he’s mine. Teddy, you can have. … I may not be as smart as you are, but I’m not an idiot.”
Michelle Trachtenberg on ‘Ice Princess’ friendship with Hayden Panettiere
Trachtenberg reflected on the importance of Casey and Gen’s friendship to the film in an interview with Disney Movie Surfers.
“Gen is the star skater, and Casey admires her for her technique and ability,” Trachtenberg said at the time. “[They] develop a friendship throughout the film, and Gen helps Casey realize that she really is a great skater.”
Hayden Panettiere reunites with ‘Ice Princess’ costar Michelle Trachtenberg at fashion charity
Six years after making “Ice Princess,” Panettiere and Trachtenberg reunited for a good cause.
In September 2011, the actresses attended the unveiling of Stuart Weitzman’s Young Hollywood Cares Collection, a charity shoe wear line co-designed by young Hollywood stars in support of ovarian cancer research. Panettiere and Trachtenberg both contributed designs to the collection, according to Glamour.
The former costars also posed together on the red carpet.
Fans mourn Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg deaths
Several of Panettiere and Trachtenberg’s fans took to social media to mourn the actresses’ deaths.
“First Michelle Trachtenberg, now Hayden Panettiere. I’m so sad,” @theofficial_k17 wrote on Instagram. “I can’t believe this: my ice princesses both gone.””I never thought there would be a day that I’d be this young and I’d be mourning both of them,” @vincent.perrone commented. “Life can be extremely messed up sometimes.”
“Such talented young women. With so much of their lives ahead of them, it’s difficult to wrap one’s head around it,” @bianca_florencia wrote.
“I loved how their characters supported each other despite being set up as rivals,” @jessiecolladoreadsandwrites commented. “It’s so tragic that both actresses passed away before turning 40. Rest in peace, Michelle Trachtenberg and Hayden Panettiere — you are in our prayers.”
“Our childhood is fading ” @suziethescribe wrote.
“I hope they’re both together, happy and free ” @prettyvulgar commented. “God, this really hurts.”
Contributing: Anika Reed and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY