Tim Fywell, the director of Ice Princess, is honoring Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg after their deaths.
Hayden passed away on August 16 at the age of 36, while Michelle died in February 2025 at the age of 39.
Michelle and Hayden co-starred in the 2005 film. Michelle played the gifted student Casey Carlyle unexpectedly discovers a passion for figure skating. Hayden played Gen Harwood, an accomplished who starts as Casey’s rival before they later develop a friendship. The movie also starred Kim Cattrall, Joan Cusack, and Trevor Blumas.
In a statement to Variety, Tim paid tribute to the two actresses.
“It was really upsetting to hear yesterday of the death of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36,” the filmmaker shared. “I remember a brave, sparky, dedicated young actress who lit up the set in rehearsals and then the screen with her vibrant talent. Michelle Trachtenberg, Hayden’s co-star in the movie, and she were an amazing pair.”
Tim went on to remember Michelle and Hayden as having “very different personalities.” Michelle was “kooky, fun, with an infectious laugh and her brilliant sad-funny comic timing,” while Hayden was “plucky and determined and perfectionist, spending hours practicing her skating and utterly focused on getting every acting take spot-on and truthful. Which she did.”
“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,” Tim concluded. “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.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has said that Hayden‘s official cause of death and manner of death remain pending. Michelle died from complications of diabetes mellitus, with her death ruled natural.
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