Actor Hayden Panettiere, famous for her roles in TV series Heroes and Nashville, has died aged 36. Colleagues and fans have shared tributes honouring the star after her passing was announced on Sunday, August 16.
A child actor, Hayden Panettiere began her career when she was only four years old, starring in soap operas before landing a bigger role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans alongside Denzel Washington. She was also the voice behind Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.
Her fame skyrocketed after she played cheerleader Claire Bennet in the sci-fi drama Heroes. She then went on to star as up-and-coming country singer Juliette Barnes in the hit TV show Nashville, portraying the character for six seasons. This performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress, and her singing on the series resulted in 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
Panettiere also appeared in Scream 4 and Scream VI, playing the character Kirby Reed. Her other film credits include teen comedy Bring It On: All or Nothing and comedy-drama film Raising Helen.
Beyond her work in film and TV, Panettiere also made a name for herself among the gaming community, voicing beloved characters such as Kairi in 2002’s Kingdom Hearts.
Hayden Panettiere came out as bisexual in her memoir, This is Me: A Reckoning, published earlier this year. “I had to wait until I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never,” she wrote.
In the book, she also spoke about her struggles with fame, addiction and mental health. Panettiere opened up about struggling with the pressure of the industry, as well as the loss of her brother and the decision to give full custody of her daughter Kaya to former partner Wladimir Klitschko in 2018, while she was dealing with postpartum depression and addiction.
News of the actor’s passing was confirmed by her father, Skip Panettiere, who shared a statement saying, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.
“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Her father also asked that her family be given privacy and time to process this loss. While no cause of death has been announced, an investigation has been opened after police responded to an incident involving the actor on Sunday, as reported by TMZ.
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Tributes poured in after Hayden Panettiere’s passing was confirmed, with many sharing messages in her memory on social media.
Panettiere’s Scream co-star Melissa Barrera shared an Instagram story with the message, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” alongside a broken heart emoji.
Actor Selma Blair commented on the star’s latest social media post, saying: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.”
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell shared a picture of Panettiere, captioning it: “Oh my god – heartbroken.”
Oscar winner Viola Davis also paid tribute to her former co-star, sharing: “What an amazing talent you were… so gifted.
“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. Rest well, Hayden,” she concluded.
Rest in Power.
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