Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, her representative has confirmed. The actress, who rose to fame as a child star before becoming best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has been remembered as an "incredible light" in a heartbreaking statement announcing her death.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her representative told HELLO!
"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 Skip said in a statement. "We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss," he added.
Further details surrounding the circumstances of Hayden's death have not yet been released. "An investigation is ongoing and cause of death has not yet been determined, " Hayden's rep told HELLO!
© GC ImagesHayden Panettiere's rise to fame
Born in Palisades, New York, on August 21, 1989, Hayden began her career extraordinarily young, appearing in commercials as a baby before landing roles in daytime television.
She played Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live and Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, before making the transition into film with appearances in movies including Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Racing Stripes and Ice Princess.
But it was her role as seemingly indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's Heroes that made Hayden an international star.
© WireImageThe sci-fi drama premiered in 2006 and her character quickly became one of its most recognizable faces, with the phrase "Save the cheerleader, save the world" becoming synonymous with the series.
Hayden later took on another career-defining role as country music star Juliette Barnes opposite Connie Britton in Nashville. She starred in the musical drama from 2012 until its conclusion in 2018, earning two Golden Globe nominations for her performance.
Her other credits included Scream 4, Scream VI, I Love You, Beth Cooper and Bring It On: All or Nothing.
Hayden's life away from the screen
Hayden was also a mother to daughter Kaya, whom she welcomed in December 2014 with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Over the years, the actress had spoken candidly about some of the difficulties she experienced away from the spotlight, including her struggles with addiction and postpartum depression.
© Twitter"The idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking. Couldn't be further from the truth," Hayden said an episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.
"I was struggling with mental health and anxiety and postpartum and having to act my way through it, and just feeling like I completely lost myself," she added.
Her life was also touched by tragedy in February 2023 when her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly at the age of 28 from an enlarged heart.
Hayden later spoke movingly about the devastating impact of losing her only sibling. "When my little brother passed away my body did something I've never really seen it do before," she told People. "He was my only sibling, and it was my job to protect him. When I lost him, I felt like I lost half of my soul," she said. "I remember saying to somebody, 'Don't ever, ever expect me to get over the loss of him.'"
© Getty ImagesDespite the difficult periods in her personal life, she continued acting and returned to one of her most beloved roles, Kirby Reed, in 2023's Scream VI, more than a decade after first playing the character in Scream 4.
News of Hayden's death was confirmed on Sunday, August 16, just five days before what would have been her 37th birthday.
Celebrity tributes
Selma Blair was the first to pay tribute to her friend. She wrote: "I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone . Please. Please."
Randall Slavin also shared a photo of him with Hayden alongside the tribute: "Peace be with you."
Singer JoJo wrote on her Instagram stories: “This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God”, and Rosie O’Donnell shared a picture of Hayden with the caption: “Oh my god – heartbroken.”
Viola Davis, who featured alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama Custody, also shared a tribute to her former co-star. She said: "What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.
© Twitter"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. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name…"
Commenting on Instagram, Hayden’s Scream 4 co-star David Arquette simply wrote: "I love you Hayden."
Connie Britton also paid tribute: "This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright," she wrote.
The 59-year-old actress, also known for Friday Night Lights and American Horror Story, continued: "I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now," she added, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
Emma Roberts, who appeared alongside Hayden in films such as Scream 4 and The Architect, shared snaps of the two sharing an embrace. Roberts wrote: "Rest in peace my sweet friend. You are so loved and will be forever missed."
Nico Tortorella, who also appeared in Scream 4, said: "I keep trying to write something, but there are too few words for you."
Beneath a photo of himself with Hayden, the 38-year-old actor added: "I love you, I miss you and I’m sorry."
Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Panettiere in Ice Princess, shared a picture of her with "sweet Hayden" and said she was "gone far too soon".
Bethany Joy Lenz, a long-time friend of Hayden, said she was “crushed” by the death, and US actor Matt Lanter recounted working with her on sci-fi show Heroes. "We always had a great time on set and tons of laughs… Man, just too young," he wrote beneath a picture of them together.
Alyssa Milano, famed for roles on Charmed and Who’s The Boss?, posted a lengthy tribute reflecting on the "courage" of Hayden and praising her campaign work for animal rights, and for standing with Ukrainians amid the Euromaidan protests.
Alyssa added: "Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere.
"She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen. Hayden was a gifted actor, but that was only part of what she gave us. She used her voice. She showed up. She cared fiercely. I hope that is remembered too, the way she chose to stand in the world when it mattered."
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