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 ABC News.
"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."
Further details surrounding the circumstances of Hayden's death have not yet been released. HELLO! has contacted Hayden's representatives for comment.
© 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.
© Getty ImagesHer 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.
© TwitterDespite 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 a tribute to her friend. She wrote: "I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone . Please. Please."
