‘Ice Princess’ Director Mourns Hayden Panettiere & Michelle Trachtenberg’s Deaths

UPDATE (8/18/2026 at 10:30 a.m. ET): The director of Ice Princess, Tim Fywell, has paid tribute to the late Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg following Panettiere’s death on August 16. The actors costarred in the Disney film in 2005. Panettiere died at age 36, and Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at age 39.

“It was really upsetting to hear yesterday of the death of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36,” Fywell told Variety. “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 costar in the movie, and she were an amazing pair.”

Fywell remembers the actors having “very different personalities.” Trachtenberg, Fywell said, was “kooky, fun, with an infectious laugh and her brilliant sad-funny comic timing.” Panettiere 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,” he continued. “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.”

ORIGINAL STORY (8/17/2026 at 8:22 a.m. ET): Ice Princess fans are mourning Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36, less than two years after Michelle Trachtenberg died at 39.

On Sunday, August 16, Panettiere’s rep confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” they shared. “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Panettiere was found dead in South Carolina, TMZ reported, and an investigation into her death is “ongoing,” her rep noted.

In the wake of the shocking news, fans of the 2005 film Ice Princess, starring Panettiere and Trachtenberg — who died in February 2025 from natural causes due to complications from diabetes mellitus — took to social media with tributes.

One TikTok user posted a compilation video of the two actresses from the movie. “Can’t believe they’re both gone,” they captioned the clip, which featured Aly & AJ‘s song “No One.”

@bewitchingamethyst Can’t believe they’re both gone #haydenpanettiere #michelletrachtenberg #iceprincess #rip #tribute ♬ No One – Aly & AJ

In the comments, one TikTok user admitted, “This is actually hitting me so much harder than expected.”

Another shared, “As a kid, I always thought they were the most gorgeous girls ever.”

Someone else wrote, “I’m doing my best to hold back the tears right now.”

A different fan declared, “Rest easy, young ladies. You deserved so much better,” alongside a heart emoji.

Everett Collection

Yet another TikTok user commented, “I grew up with them, but Hayden especially. From Remember the Titans to Nashville. She was such a huge part of my childhood.”

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Meanwhile, someone else confessed, “I need a big hug right now. The little girl in me is heartbroken. The woman in me can’t wrap my heart around the fact that they are BOTH gone….”

Ice Princess was released in 2005. It starred Trachtenberg as Casey Carlyle, a high school student who takes up figure skating. Joan Cusack played her mother, and Kim Cattrall played her coach. Meanwhile, Panettiere played Gen, the coach’s daughter, who went from mean girl to one of Casey’s biggest supporters. Trevor Blumas also played Teddy, Gen’s brother and Casey’s love interest.

The film’s logline reads, “With the help of her coach, her mom, and the boy who drives the Zamboni machine, nothing can stop Casey from realizing her dream to be a champion figure skater.”

Ice Princess, streaming on Disney+