Guiding Light
Hayden Panettiere Interview: From Guiding Light to Nashville!
Courtesy/ABC
Beginning next week on Wednesday night, October 10th at 9PMEST/PST, Hayden Panettiere will debut in her new television role of up and coming country recording artist, Juliette Barnes, in the new ABC primetime musical dramatic series and soap… Nashville!
And while Hayden will go toe-to-toe with her co-star Connie Britton (who plays Rayna Barnes) for who is the queen of the country music scene in the new series, Panettiere will also be in story with General Hospital soap favorite and Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson who plays singer/songwriter, Avery Barkley.
But before her success on NBC’s Heroes, and now being cast in Nashville, soap fans remember Hayden for her amazing performances at such a young age as little Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light!
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Hayden to talk about her daytime start in Springfield and what it meant to her, and what viewers can expect when the highly-touted Nashville begins. From what we can tell, Hayden is not playing the good girl, in fact, she’s gone bad!
Courtesy/CBS
Hayden you have done daytime and nighttime roles with such fervor! I remember when I was putting together the Guiding Light Tribute for the Daytime Emmys. I used your clip when little Lizzie was battling leukemia. There was this heartbreaking scene where she is sitting by her bedside praying! So well-done and at such a young age!
HAYDEN: Oh wow! I had leukemia, I was thrown down a well, I was kidnapped, you name it, I had it.
Of all of the television shows you have appeared on, do you have a favorite role?
HAYDEN: It’s like comparing apples and oranges to me. All of them were amazing for the period of time I was on them in my life. In regards to Guiding Light, it’s such a pivotal time from 4 to 12-years-old and that is the time that you remember throughout you life, especially something that is so every day, and so constant, and a character that you lived. It was such a gift to work with Grant Aleksander (Ex-Phillip), Ron Raines (Ex-Alan) and Beth Chamberlin (Ex-Beth), and I loved them. If I saw them, I would run up to them like I was their child.
Courtesy/CBS
Speaking of Guiding Light, did anyone give you acting tips? I would say that of all the young child actresses ever to appear on soaps, you were one of the most gifted and natural. And usually when child actors come on to daytime TV, many times we sit at home and yell at the T.V, “These kids are so phony!” But not you, Hayden!
HAYDEN: (Laughs) Thank you, I appreciate it. My mom was a great coach. I had the privilege of working with amazing people, and I was so emotionally connected to all of them that it hit home for me. I remember doing a scene where Beth Chamberlin, when Beth had been hit by a car, and I was in the hospital. I remember being so not in the moment and not in it, and right before they yelled, “action,” I was like, “Oh man. I have to cry now.” But as soon as I saw her being wheeled in hurt and with scrapes all over her body, it immediately kicked in and hit home. I started bawling my eyes out immediately. These were people I loved. I was their kid for all intent and purposes. I grew up with them.
Now it’s 2012 and you play a tough bitch on Nashville! Do you like playing the bitch?
Courtesy/ABC
HAYDEN: I do like playing the bitch, because it’s something I like to sink my teeth into, and it’s something that I have never gotten to play before. And frankly, it’s fun to play bad. But it’s much more fun to play bad with a purpose, and a back-story, and with a heart. I think it’s a story that a lot of people in the viewing audience are going to be able to relate to, and it might not be specifically or exactly, but it may be the feeling. I don’t think people are born bad, but I think they become the way they are and rough around the edges, because of things that make them hard, and what tests them in life, and what they have to overcome. At the end of the day, Juliette has become a lost and broken girl who is running from her past, and who will not let anything get her in way.
You had to give yourself a high-five when you got this juicy and delicious role as one of the leads of Nashville, plus getting to work with such a stellar cast that includes: Connie Britton, Eric Close, and former GH star, Jonathan Jackson!
HAYDEN: Absolutely! I had to fight for it, but it was worth it! I can’t wait for everyone to see Nashville.
Courtesy/ABC
And speaking of Jonathan Jackson, in the pilot and the promo for Nashville we see the two of you bumping into each other. There seems to be a spark! Will Juliette and Avery perhaps hit the sheets?
HAYDEN: If you have a broken heart, you need a rebound, or you’re sad, Juliette is somewhere around the corner!
So will you be checking out Hayden on Nashville next week? What do you think about her remembrances of her time as Lizzie on Guiding Light? Do you remember key scenes with Hayden and the Spaulding clan? And what would you think of a Hayden and Jonathan Jackson pairing on Nashville? Weigh-in!
Their. You’re.
I remember thinking she was one of the best actors on GL even at that young age. She was amazing. Very real. STILL miss GL!
Good interview!
I remember her when I was little watching “Guiding Light”. She portrayed such a nice rendition of a childhood Lizzie Spaulding. She nailed the cancer storyline, as well!
I’ve been watching my dvds of the years she was on it recently (and still am) and she has always blown me away! When she confessed to killing Carl is amazing, also when Alan had his heart attack and she thought he was going to die. To see such a small child crying at her great, big grandfather who is very weak is amazing and beautiful to see.
i haven’t gotten to lizzie’s leukemia story yet, that’ll be another tough one!
I remember her as Sarah Roberts on OLTL. She also played Anthony Edward’s daughter on ER. Too bad the Nashville is on ABC. I am still boycotting all things rat (except for GH, of course).
Michael, how come you didn’t ask Hayden about her time playing Sarah Roberts on OLTL in this interview?
yeah! that is totally what I think of every time I see her and wasn’t see the lead on HERO too? I only saw that a few times, but she will always be little Sarah Roberts to me! in her little pinafore dresses and curly hair… so cute back then!
Don’t rem. her on OLTL at all but BOY SHE ROCKED on GL. Makes me miss GL, gosh I miss all of our shows that are gone. I watched them all one way or another!
Can’t wait to see her on Nashville. Even though I am boycotting ABC unless it is a “soap”
I am waiting for Nashville. JJ and Hayden both soap alum’s,and not afraid to admit it..The soap fans will b e there for you.
we watched them as youngsters both very talented,and even tho its ABC ,I will watch.
Hayden as Lizzy was amazing,and I did watch heroes..
I don’t really want to support ABC,but I will watch a show where the characters are familiar to me, ABC keeps pushing the commercials for the show during GH.
GL was the first soap I ever watched,so I do miss it more when I see this.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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On Tuesday, September 22, the Greenville, South Carolina Coroner’s office ruled that actress Hayden Panettiere’s death was an accident, attributing the 36-year-old’s passing to be a combination of toxic effects from fentanyl and other drugs that were in her system.
Panettiere was found unresponsive on Sunday, August 16. There have been numerous reports and sources speaking to various outlets about the manner in which the Nashville and Guiding Light alum died, but nothing was certain until now.
The Greenville County Coroner’s office shared that fentanyl, combined with 4-ANPP, Alprazolam (also known as Xanax), Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) and Quetiapine (used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but is sometimes prescribed to treat depression), were all found in Hayden’s system.
Photo: CBS
GUIDING LIGHT ALUM’S DEATH IS STILL UNDER AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION
Meanwhile, the Greenville Police Department shared there is still an ongoing investigation into this case. “Our detectives will continue to follow leads and gather information as we work toward resolving this case,” the department shared.
That is, because despite Panettiere’s death being ruled accidental, authorities continue investigating whether anyone might be criminally responsible for providing the star with a lethal substance. It is being shared that this is “cross-country investigation” stretching from as far as South Carolina to California.
As we previously reported, TMZ shared on September 14 that law enforcement officials believe Hayden’s “long time drug dealer” may have been the person responsible for supplying her with an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl which she took the morning of her death.
Panettiere “had been temporarily staying” at the apartment in Greenville, the coroner’s office said in August. Authorities did not say whose apartment it was but it was said to later be an Airbnb. It was Hayden’s on-again off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother Zach who called 911 the afternoon of August 16 to say Panettiere was unresponsive, according to police reports.
Photo: ABC
HAYDEN PANETTIERE IMPRESSED IN EVERY ROLE SHE PLAYED
Soap opera fans still remember Hayden’s as a very young Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live from 1994 until 1997, and then her signature daytime role as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light from 1996-2000.
She later went on to star on the Music City primetime soap opera, Nashville from 2012-2018 on ABC and CMT where she played country and western singer, Juliette Barnes opposite General Hospital alum, Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky Spencer), who played her love interest, Avery Barclay.
Over this past weekend, Jackson, Charles Esten (pictured above), Connie Britton, and others from the cast of Nashville gathered for a memorial service in Hayden’s honor to pay their respects for their beloved co-star.
So, what do you think about the ruling in the death of actress Hayden Panettiere that it was an accident involving toxic effects of fentanyl combined with other drugs and medications she was taking at the time? Share your reactions via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Guiding Light’ and ATWT Alum Tom Pelphrey Wins Supporting Actor in Drama Series Emmy For ‘Task’
Tom Pelphrey, one of the greatest actors of our time, who got his first big break on the soaps, can now add a primetime Emmy to his two Daytime Emmys after receiving the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series tonight for his memorable role as Robbie Prendergrast in HBO’s Task.
Taking to the stage for his acceptance, Pelphrey delivered one of the more impassioned and touching moments at the 78th annual Primetime Emmys airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Pelphrey shared, “I thank God for my life and my sobriety. I thank my family and my friends for all your love and support all these years, from Emmys to black box theaters and everything in between.” He added special thanks to his Task co-star and Emmy nominee, Mark Ruffalo, sharing, “Thank you for this incredible role and this opportunity and your friendship. I’m so proud to be your friend.”
Photo: NBC/TVAcademy
TOM PELPHREY GIVES BEAUTIFUL SHOUT OUT TO KALEY CUOCO
In conclusion, Tom gave a shout to his fiancée, Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco, when he expressed, “And to my favorite actor in this room, my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley — I love you more than anything, and our family is the crown jewel of my life.”
Cuoco is the mother to their first child together named Matilda, and she is pregnant with their second child. Tom also gave shout oust to his children, the one they have, and the one on the way. “Matilda, daddy loves you. Baby girl, daddy loves you. Thank you. God bless,” an emotional Pelphrey said.
The now Emmy-winning actor beat out a stellar field for the gold statuette that included: Three men from the cast of The Pitt: Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy and Gerran Howell, The Morning Show’s Billy Crudup, Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden and Pluribus actor Carlos-Manuel Vesga.
Photo: JPI
TWO-TIME DAYTIME EMMY WINNER FROM GUIDING LIGHT
Pelphrey had previously been nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2022 for his guest star role as Ben Davis in the hit series Ozark. On the soaps, Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his role as Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light in the Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 2006 and 2008 and was nominated a total of four times.
For six years, Pelphrey played the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer) from 2003-2009, before later joining the cast of As the World Turns in the role of Mick Cain from 2009-2010. From there, it’s been all primetime television, stage and films for Pelphrey.
So, were you happy to see Tom Pelphrey winning an Emmy for his role in Task? What did you think of his acceptance speech? Do you think he was one of the best actors to ever get their start on soaps? Let us know via the comment section.
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