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Courteney Cox remembers ‘Scream’ co-star Hayden Panettiere

Courteney Cox paid a tribute to Hayden Panettiere who passed away on August 16, 2026

Published September 14, 2026
Courteney Cox remembers ‘Scream’ co-star Hayden Panettiere
Courteney Cox remembers ‘Scream’ co-star Hayden Panettiere

Courteney Cox has paid memorial to her late Scream costar Hayden Panettiere, less than a month after the star's death at 36.

The 62-year-old Friends star spoke fondly about the late actress, who died August 16 at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina in what authorities said was suspected as a drug “overdose.”

While chatting with Entertainment Weekly at the Toronto International Film Festival, she called the late star “a really wonderful actor.”

Cox, who has played the role of Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise, was joined by Panettiere in two of the films in the series: 2011's Scream 4 and 2023's Scream VI.

“The last time I worked with her we had a great time,' Cox said of Panettiere, who played Kirby Reed in the films.”

Cox also described Panettiere as “really fun and happy and smart,” while reflecting on the tragic nature of her premature passing.

“It's really sad,” said Cox. “It's obviously horrible,” she further added, addressing Panettiere’s death.

Meanwhile, last year, Panettiere told the outlet that she was honored working with legendary late filmmaker Wes Craven on Scream 4, calling him “amazing.”

“I love the fact that I got to work with Wes Craven ... I'm so sad that he left us far before his time,” she gushed at that time.

“But he had an incredible impact on my life and on me as an actor, which I now utilize when I go into other projects,” Hayden Panettiere had further said as she gushed over Wes Craven.

Sadaf Naushad
Sadaf Naushad is a Journalist and Neurochemistry master's graduate with over four years of experience. Leveraging her scientific background, she specialises in celebrity wellness, mental health, and the psychology of lifestyle trends, bridging the gap between science and pop culture to provide expert insight into global icons' well-being.