Hayden Panettiere dies at 36: The journey from child star to Heroes and Nashville fame

Death confirmed at 36

Panettiere's death was confirmed by her representative. Her father, Skip Panettiere, shared a statement mourning her loss and described her as an "incredible light" and "a force of nature." He also requested privacy for the family as they grieve.

Details surrounding her death were not immediately available, and no cause of death has been disclosed.

Early years and child stardom

Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began working as a child actor and appeared in commercials and television productions from a very young age.

She appeared in the soap operas One Life to Live and Guiding Light, gaining early experience in front of the camera.

Her early film credits included A Bug's Life, in which she voiced Dot, and the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans.

Breakthrough with Heroes

Panettiere's biggest breakthrough came in 2006 with NBC's science-fiction drama Heroes.

She played Claire Bennet, a high-school cheerleader with regenerative abilities. The role catapulted her to international fame, and the series ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2010.

Claire became one of the most recognisable characters from the series and established Panettiere as one of television's prominent young stars.

Films and voice acting

Alongside television, Panettiere appeared in a number of films, including Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Racing Stripes, I Love You, Beth Cooper and Scream 4.

She also worked as a voice actor, most notably voicing Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts video game series and appearing in animated productions.

Nashville and Golden Globe nominations

In 2012, Panettiere took on another defining role as Juliette Barnes in the ABC musical drama Nashville.

The role allowed her to showcase both her acting and singing abilities. Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, in 2013 and 2014.

Nashville ran for six seasons, with Panettiere remaining one of its central stars.

Return as Kirby Reed in Scream

Panettiere also became part of the Scream franchise, playing Kirby Reed in Scream 4 in 2011.

She later reprised the role in Scream VI in 2023, marking a much-anticipated return to the franchise.

Final years and memoir

Panettiere remained open about the challenges of growing up in the public eye and the personal struggles she experienced during adulthood.

In May 2026, she released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected on her experiences with child stardom, motherhood, addiction, recovery and other difficult periods of her life.

Her final film role was in the psychological thriller Sleepwalker, released in the United States in January 2026.

A career spanning three decades

From commercials and soap operas to blockbuster films and acclaimed television dramas, Panettiere's career spanned more than three decades.

Her performances as Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville remain among her most celebrated work, while her roles in the Scream franchise introduced her to a new generation of audiences.

At 36, Hayden Panettiere leaves behind a career marked by early stardom, major television success and a willingness to speak openly about the realities behind life in the spotlight.