Courteney Cox has spoken out about her late "Scream" co-star Hayden Panettiere, less than a month after the actress's death at 36. Panettiere died on August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Authorities are investigating the death as a suspected drug overdose.
Cox, speaking with Entertainment Weekly at the Toronto International Film Festival, remembered Panettiere as "a really wonderful actor." Cox, who portrays Gale Weathers in the "Scream" franchise, shared the screen with Panettiere in 2011's "Scream 4" and 2023's "Scream VI," where Panettiere played Kirby Reed.
"The last time I worked with her we had a great time," Cox said of Panettiere, whom she described as "really fun and happy and smart." The "Friends" star added, "It's really sad. It's obviously horrible."
Panettiere had previously spoken to the outlet about her experience working with the late filmmaker Wes Craven on "Scream 4." She called him "amazing" and stated that he had an "incredible impact" on her career, teaching her lessons about building anticipation through timing in her performances.
Cox was at the festival to promote her new directorial project, "Evil Genius," a film that examines the 2003 Pizza Bomber case. The film's logline indicates it explores themes of "deception, desperation, and the blurred line between victim and villain."
Panettiere's ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, was recently involved in an altercation at a restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina. Eyewitnesses reported that Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were heckled by other patrons, leading to a scuffle. Brian Hickerson was briefly placed in handcuffs, and Zach Hickerson was arrested for disorderly conduct.