Hayden Panettiere, the acclaimed actress best known for her television and film roles, has passed away at age 36. Her representative confirmed the death to ABC News on Sunday, though the specific cause remains undisclosed at this time. A statement from her representatives described her as “an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her.”
Panettiere’s career spanned more than three decades, beginning when she appeared on daytime soap operas as a child performer. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Claire Bennett on the NBC series “Heroes,” which ran for multiple seasons. Her film work included appearances in the “Scream” franchise, most notably as Kirby in “Scream 4” and its 2023 sequel. Additionally, she earned two Golden Globe nominations for her performance as Juliette Barnes on the country music drama “Nashville.”
Beyond her entertainment career, Panettiere published a memoir earlier this year titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” in which she detailed personal struggles and experiences within the industry. She had previously spoken publicly about her battles with substance abuse, entering treatment in 2020 to achieve sobriety. Panettiere also faced personal tragedy in 2023 when her younger brother died unexpectedly from a heart condition at age 28.
Originally reported by Variety →
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