A comely blonde who literally grew up in front of the camera, Panettiere was already a veteran of over 50 commercials when she landed a role on
One Life to Live at age 4. Within a few years she was appearing in TV-movies and films, notably voicing the role of Dot in
A Bug's Life and playing a succession of strong adolescents battling great odds, including cancer (twice) and child abuse. A string of impressive guest turns led to recurring roles on
Ally McBeal (as the title character's long-lost daughter) and
Malcolm in the Middle, as well as her first leading film role in 2005's
Racing Stripes. In 2006, she donned a cheerleading outfit and held the fate of the world in her hands as one of the superpowered stars of the NBC drama
Heroes.
Hayden Panettiere Fast Facts:
- Was the voice of Dot in Disney's A Bug's Life in 1998, and received a Grammy nomination in 2000 for her work on the film's companion read-along book.
- Traveled to South Africa to learn to ride zebras for 2005's Racing Stripes.
- Hayden Panettiere Relationships:
- Jansen Panettiere - Brother
- Lesley Panettiere - Mother
- Milo Ventimiglia - Ex-significant Other
- Skip Panettiere - Father
- Stephen Colletti - Ex-significant Other
