Hayden Panettiere

Early Years

Hayden Leslie Panettiere was born and raised in New York. She was born to act -- literally. When she was a mere two months old, Hayden began appearing in commercials. From there, the fair-haired tot jumped to the soaps with recurring roles in Guiding Light and One Life to Live. Guiding Light allowed her to stretch her acting muscles, playing a child plagued first with leukemia and, later, mental and emotional problems.

Hayden lives with her parents and her younger brother in New York, where she is homeschooled.

Hayden Panettiere in the Movies

Somehow, Hayden Panettiere found time in her busy life to appear in several movies. Her first movie role was in Jennifer Aniston's 1998 film, The Object of My Affection. She appeared with Kate Hudson and fellow child star Spencer Breslin in 2004's Raising Helen. In 2005, she acted in Ice Princess. That same year, she had to ride a zebra in her starring role in Racing Stripes! Hayden Panettiere also appeared in the following:

• Shanghai Kiss (slated for 2007 release)
• The Architect (2006)
• Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
• The Dust Factory (2004)
• Normal (2003)
• Joe Somebody (2001)
• Remember the Titans (2000)
• Dinosaur (2000)
• A Bug's Life (1998)

Television Shows

Panettiere, center, with the cast of Heroes.

Even with her long list of movie appearances, it was the small screen that proved to be the true star-maker. Hayden Panettiere had a starring role in the quirky television show, Ally McBeal. She also appeared in several episodes of the spunky series Malcolm in the Middle. She displayed a more serious side in her guest role in Law and Order: SVU. These diverse roles paved the way for one of the biggest opportunities of Hayden's young life: the comic book-inspired Heroes, where she plays Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with the special ability to self-heal. Although the show is currently on hiatus, it garnered the young cast, especially Panettiere, much positive press.

Career Achievements

Despite her youth, Hayden has already received critical acclaim. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society heralded Guiding Light and Hayden for bringing attention to the disorder. In 2001, she won the Young Artist Award for "Best Performance in a Feature Film -- Supporting Young Actress" for her portrayal of Sheryl Yoast in Remember the Titans. At the tender age of 10, she was nominated for a Grammy for her voice work on A Bug's Life. Other nominations include:

• Saturn Award for "Best Supporting Actress in a Television Program" for Heroes (2007)
• Young Artist Award for "Best Performance by a Youth in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special" for Tiger Cruise (2005)
• Young Star Award for "Best Young Actress in a Daytime TV Series" for Guiding Light (2000)

Music

Panettiere at Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards.

Hayden joins the ranks of Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff as she tries to translate her television and movie success to the radio airwaves. She recently signed with Hollywood Records. Her debut album, a pop rock collection, is due out in the spring of 2007. Will her singing be as well-received as her acting? Only time will tell!

Hayden Panettiere Trivia

• Her nickname is "Mushroom".
• She has done voice work in two video games.
• Hayden considers herself a jock.
• She is only 5'1".
• For her role in Ice Princess, she learned to skate.
• She shares her August birthday with her Ice Princess co-star, Kim Cattrall.