Brian Hickerson's Reaction to Hayden Panettiere's Death Revealed

Brittany Snow

Snow honored her Guiding Light costar with a throwback of them as girls, when they played stepsisters on the soap opera.

"I was lucky enough to play your sister for 3 years. I related to you so much in so many ways. Ways that I never even told you," Snow shared on her Instagram Story."Your talent was remarkable & so was your determination to be a bold, bright shining light. And you were. Always supportive, curious, funny and brave."

She added, "You will always be remembered undoubtedly for your undeniable strength and spirit."

Hilary Duff

"Sweet Hayden. Really tough hearing this news," the Lizzie McGuire alum wrote on Instagram. "We lost touch through the years but I will always remember you as so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile. I remember staying up late, chatting and gossiping, and connecting because we were part of such a small sliver of people who actually understood the strange lot in life we were navigating.. so young, with no real idea how to make sense of any of it.
I so deeply wish this wasn't the end for you."

Duff ended with, "Sending a heart full of love to your family, the many people you impacted and everyone who loved you. rest easy."

Connie Britton

Frankie Muniz

Jenna Ortega 

Blake Lively

Kim Cattrall 

The Ice Princess star—who played Panettiere's mom in the 2005 Disney film—shared a photo from the movie and a touching note to the late actress. 

"Rest in peace sweet Hayden," Cattrall wrote on Instagram. "Gone far too soon."

Ashley Tisdale

Matt Lanter

Mario Lopez

Taryn Manning

The actress said that Panettiere's death "hurts."

"Hayden was always such a sweetheart- so rad - down to earth, kind, and consistently the same every time I saw her," Manning wrote. "We shared so many funny little moments over the years... I don’t really have words for what has happened and she is suddenly gone. I’m just grateful I got to know her and have memories like this."

Alyssa Milano

Milano remembered Panettiere for her activism "in service of things larger than herself."

"Perhaps most quietly powerful, she spoke openly about what so many are taught to hide: domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, and abuse," she wrote. "She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others."

She added, "Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere. She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen."

Alyson Stoner

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum—who worked with Panettiere as voice actors in the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise—shared a tearful reflection.

"I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the Kingdom Hearts family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached," they said in an Instagram video. "Sending so much love to Hayden's family, I'll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left. Sending lots of love to the Kingdom Hearts community too and how we're sharing in this loss."

Kerry Washington

SAG-AFTRA

David Anders

James Kyson

Kyson, best known for his role as Ando Masahashi in Heroes, recalled meeting his costar while filming the sci-fi series.

"I first met Hayden when she was 16, and she was already a veteran actor with such bright spirit, and an older soul," he wrote on Instagram. "I remember her as a fierce protector of animal rights and a 'cheerleader' for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly - something that I've always appreciated."

He also shared a reminder to online users, emphasizing, "Life can be so short… let's send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today."

Brandon Auman

JoJo

Chris Applebaum

Applebaum shared a throwback clip of him working with Panettiere on the music video for her 2008 song "Wake Up Call," while detailing their recent reunion.

"I directed this video for @haydenpanettiere with @imsebastianstan," he explained on Instagram. "When I saw her at Paris' a couple months ago, we were cracking up over all the funny stuff we talked about between shots, pranking Klitschko in Miami, and how tiny she was. Such a sweet, tiny little bundle of joy. Your memory will always be a blessing."

Jeremy Renner

Dania Ramirez

"My heart aches so much right now," Panettiere's Heroes costar wrote. "I love you and will always miss you. I take comfort in knowing that I am with you in life and in death because your love and energy has always transcended this dimension."

"My thoughts are with your daughter and those who truly love you," she added. "I know that the ones that got to feel your gifts will forever feel blessed and grateful for you."

Bethany Joy Lenz

After Panettiere’s death Aug. 16, her Guiding Light costar Bethany Joy Lenz was one of many who shared heartbreaking memories from their years-long friendship.

“I’m crushed,” Bethany wrote in an Instagram post. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing.”

Noting that the pair would “connect on and off over the years,” Bethany detailed feeling joy when they “were lucky enough to cross paths.”

“I dont understand how this is real,” she continued. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real..”

Viola Davis

Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 film Custody, remembered her as "an amazing talent."

“Julius [Tennon] and I loved working with you,” Viola wrote in her Aug. 17 Instagram post, “an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy.”

“You will be remembered,” the Fences star added. “Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name.”

Selma Blair

Kelly Osbourne

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of someone who meant so much to me,” Osbourne wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere. “We understood each other in a way few truly can — recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people.”

Osbourne praised Panettiere as being “such a good friend.”

“I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better,” the Osbournes alum added. “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”

Rosie O'Donnell

"Oh my god," the comedian wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere Aug. 16, "heartbroken. #hayden."

Melissa Barrera

Jay Shetty

The podcaster—who sat down with the Bring It On: All or Nothing star in May for an emotional conversation about her sobriety journey and the death of her brother—shared he was in "disbelief."

"You were so special," he wrote on his Instagram Stories alongside a clip of her podcast episode. "May you always be protected and peaceful."

Heather Matarazzo

The Princess Diaries star shared she met the Ice Princess actress during their early days of acting.

“Devastated,” she captioned a photo of the pair on Instagram. “We first met on the LIRR traveling to NYC for auditions when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent. Truly a light…..Love you, Hayden.”