Heather Matarazzo is remembering Hayden Panettiere as the gifted young girl she first met long before either actress knew where Hollywood would take them.
The Princess Diaries star shared an emotional Instagram tribute Sunday following news that Panettiere had died at 36. Panettiere’s father, Skip, confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News. No cause of death has been revealed yet. Matarazzo shared her emotional tribute with a photo of the two embracing, offering fans a glimpse at their bond away from cameras and red carpets.
How Did Heather Matarazzo Meet Hayden Panettiere?
Matarazzo said their connection dates back to childhood, when both were young performers chasing auditions in New York. “Devastated…… We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids,” she wrote.
The actresses went on to build successful careers. Matarazzo became widely known as Lilly Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries, while Panettiere rose from child roles to become a household name through Heroes and Nashville. Panettiere later received two Golden Globe nominations for her work on Nashville.
What Did Heather Matarazzo Say About Hayden Panettiere?
Matarazzo said their lives continued to intersect as the years passed. “Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special,” she wrote. Her tribute focused not only on Panettiere’s talent, but on the energy she remembered from those encounters. “She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light….. Love you, Hayden.”
What Was Hayden Panettiere Best Known For?
Panettiere began working as a child before breaking through nationally as Claire Bennet on Heroes. She later played country star Juliette Barnes on Nashville and appeared in films including Remember the Titans, Scream 4 and Scream VI. Her final film role came in the 2026 thriller Sleepwalker.
For Matarazzo, however, the memories reached back much further than any famous role. Before the television hits and movie franchises, there were simply two young actors riding the Long Island Rail Road toward auditions, hoping for a chance.
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