Hayden Panettiere, actress best known for 'Nashville' and 'Heroes', dies at 36
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, her representative confirmed to ABC News on Sunday, August 16, through a statement from her father, Skip Panettiere, who expressed the family’s profound grief over her tragic passing.
The family has requested privacy as they take time to process the unimaginable loss, while further details surrounding Panettiere’s death have not been immediately made available.
Hayden Panettiere’s family mourns her loss and remembers her lasting legacy
“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 said in a statement.
He also asked for privacy as the family takes time to process the unimaginable loss. Panettiere’s professional acting career began in 1994 when she was cast in the ABC soap opera 'One Life to Live'. She continued her soap opera work in 1996, starring in CBS’ 'Guiding Light', and later returned to the show from 1997 to 2000.
She made her film debut at age nine as the narrator and voice of Princess Dot in Pixar’s 'A Bug’s Life' (1996). She later played the football-loving young daughter of assistant coach Bill Yoast, portrayed by Will Patton, in 'Remember the Titans' (2000).
Her career continued with television projects including 'Ally McBeal' and 'Malcolm in the Middle,' along with films such as 'Tiger Cruise' (2004) and 'Ice Princess' (2005). In 2006, Panettiere landed one of the lead roles in NBC’s 'Heroes,' playing a high school cheerleader with healing powers, which brought her international fame.
Panettiere was also widely recognized for playing Claire Bennet on 'Heroes' and Juliette Barnes on the musical drama 'Nashville'.
Hayden Panettiere’s personal struggles, memoir and family loss
Panettiere had been candid about her struggles from child stardom through adulthood. Earlier this year, she revealed that she struggled with postpartum depression and addiction, which led to her decision to give up custody of her only child, daughter Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in 2018.
She had Kaya with her former partner, Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere recently published her memoir, 'This Is Me: A Reckoning', which generated headlines over revelations about her past relationships.
The memoir was released in May. In 2024, Panettiere described the pain and grief following the unexpected death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died the previous year from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Speaking to the 'TODAY' show, she described how losing someone who had been present during the important moments of her life had profoundly affected her. She also honored her late brother in connection with his birthday.
Panettiere had also recently been scheduled to appear at the 'Creep I.E. Aftermath' horror event in Ontario, California, on July 11 and 12 but canceled due to a private family matter concerning the health of an elderly relative.
