Former child star recalls Hayden Panettiere giving tough-love talk on set

Joseph Mazzello recalled the time Hayden Panettiere gave him the “boost of self-confidence” he needed when they were both young actors.

Following Panettiere’s tragic death at the age of 36 on Sunday, her former co-star paid tribute via Instagram on Monday. The two co-starred in the 2004 film “Raising Helen.” Panettiere portrayed the role of Audrey Davis, while Mazzello played a small role during what he called a “low point” in his career.

“The role got even smaller cause my main scene was cut out of the script for being too similar to another comedy at the time, but I still did it even though I felt kind of down about myself for it,” Mazzello recalled in his post, which was accompanied by a pic of him and Panettiere on set.

The actor wrote that during his first day on set, he was sitting alone at lunch when Panettiere came up to him and exclaimed, “What the f–k are you doing here?” — leaving him shocked and speechless.

However, Panettiere continued to say, “’You’re so talented and do so much amazing work, why are you doing this bit part in this movie?’”

Mazzello gushed that the “little exchange” made him feel “so much better” about his life and career.

“Someone who was clearly a rising star knew me, noticed, and gave me a boost of self-confidence in a moment I was severely lacking it,” he added.

Although Mazzello and Panettiere “didn’t stay in touch much,” he “always was happy every time [he] saw her succeed.”

“SHE was so talented. SHE did such amazing work. I’m so sad we won’t see more of it. My heart goes out to Hayden and her family 💔,” Mazello concluded.

In the comedy-drama, directed by Garry Marshall, Helen Harris (Kate Hudson) finds herself as the legal guardian of her sister’s children — 15-year-old Audrey, 10-year-old Henry and 5-year-old Sarah — after her sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car accident.

Panettiere played the role of Audrey and shared scenes with huge stars including Hudson, Joan Cusack, John Corbett and Helen Mirren. Meanwhile, Mazzello played the small role of Audrey’s prom date, Peter.

Prior to “Raising Helen,” Mazzello got his big break playing Tim Murphy in the legendary 1993 film “Jurassic Park.”

In his adult years, he has starred in major films such as “The Social Network” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Mazzello’s tribute comes one day after the “Nashville” star’s father confirmed her death.

Page Six confirmed that officers responded to a call regarding a reported cardiac arrest after an apparent “overdose” at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment around 1:51 p.m. local time on Sunday.

According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, they attempted to resuscitate the actress but were “unsuccessful.” She was declared dead at 2:32 PM.

The coroner reported no signs of foul play or trauma “that would have contributed to the death.” A cause of death has yet to be released.

Dozens of Panettiere’s former co-stars have posted tributes to the former child star, who was open about her struggles with postpartum depression and addiction.

Justin Chatwin, who worked with Panettiere on her final film, “Sleepwalker,” said that she was “lonely” and “struggling” on set.

“She was authentic with me about her life and she opened up about her struggles with addiction,” he told People Monday. “And who knows where it comes from? Does it come from Hollywood? Does it come from home? And a lot of times, it’s both.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).