Hayden Panettiere spoke fondly of her friendship with late "Ice Princess" co-star Michelle Trachtenberg nearly a year before Panettiere's death at age 36. Panettiere, who died on Sunday, told Entertainment Weekly in September that she and Trachtenberg knew each other before starring together in the 2005 film.
"Actually, her grandmother lived across the street from my grandparents in Brooklyn. So I knew Michelle way before that," Panettiere said, referencing Trachtenberg's 1996 breakout film, "Harriet the Spy." The actresses "not only grew up in the same industry," but also "grew up knowing each other's families" due to their shared geographical connection.
"We would have block parties. So I have memories of her and I from long ago," Panettiere shared. In "Ice Princess," Trachtenberg played Casey Carlyle, a student who uses physics to excel at competitive figure skating, and Panettiere played Gen Harwood, the daughter of Carlyle's coach. The characters eventually form a close friendship.
Panettiere described working with Trachtenberg as "great" and called the film a "unique experience." She added, "It was so much fun. We had a lot of fun and I'm very grateful that I have the memories that I have with her." Both Panettiere and Trachtenberg rose to fame as child stars, with Panettiere appearing on "One Life to Live" and Trachtenberg on "All My Children." Trachtenberg was also known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at age 39. Her death was attributed to complications from diabetes mellitus. Prior to her passing, she had undergone a liver transplant and struggled with addiction.
Panettiere was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at an Airbnb rental in Greenville, South Carolina. A 911 dispatch call indicated an "overdose" and that CPR was in progress. Medics attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. Panettiere, who had battled addiction and postpartum depression, was reportedly suffering from severe back pain before her death.
Following Panettiere's death, "Ice Princess" director Tim Fywell released a statement honoring both actresses. "In what was often a tough and technically complicated shoot, and my first Hollywood movie, they were delightful to work with and great to have around," Fywell told Variety. "I remember them both with huge affection, how they were 20 odd years ago, at that relatively uncomplicated time of their lives, two shining talents, gone far too soon."