American actress Hayden Panettiere, widely known for her starring roles in the hit television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, confirmed her passing in an official statement released to media outlets.
“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,” Skip Panettiere stated.
Career highlights and legacy
Panettiere launched her acting career as an infant in television commercials before breaking out as a child star in films like Pixar’s A Bug’s Life (1998) and Remember the Titans (2000).
She gained global recognition at age 17 playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s sci-fi series Heroes, immortalised by the pop culture catchphrase “Save the cheerleader, save the world”.
She later earned two Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of country music star Juliette Barnes in the drama series Nashville. Her film portfolio also included major roles in horror hits Scream 4 and Scream VI.
Personal advocacy and surviving family
Beyond her acting work, Panettiere spoke openly about her personal battles with addiction, depression, and severe postpartum depression.
She advocated publicly for mental health awareness, environmental protection, and animal rights.
She is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with her former partner, Ukrainian former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Her passing comes three years after the death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, in 2023.
The official cause of death has not been disclosed by her representatives or family.
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