Heroes and Nashville actress Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36

A representative for the actress confirmed the news to US network ABC on Sunday (August 16).

Her father, Skip Panettiere, has described her as “an incredible light and a force of nature.”

Actress Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36

In a tribute, Mr Panettiere said: “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.”

No cause of death has been released, and her family has requested privacy as they “take time to process this unimaginable loss.”

Panettiere began her acting career as a child, appearing in soap operas before gaining wider recognition in the 2000 film Remember The Titans alongside Denzel Washington.

She also voiced Dot in Pixar’s 1998 film A Bug’s Life.

She rose to international fame as Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes and later starred as Juliette Barnes in the country music series Nashville.

Her performances in Nashville earned her two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress, and her music from the show produced 11 entries on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Panettiere’s other film credits include Bring It On: All Or Nothing and Raising Helen.

She also notably played Kirby Reed in two films in the Scream horror franchise, Scream 4, and Scream VI.

Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed in Scream VI (Image: Paramount/YouTube)

She was open about her personal struggles, revealing she battled addiction throughout her 20s.

In a memoir published earlier this year, she discussed her mental health challenges, the loss of her younger brother Jansen, and her decision to give full custody of her daughter, Kyra, to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018.

In a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, she addressed public perceptions of her decision.

Ms Panettiere said: “The idea that anyone would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking and couldn’t be further from the truth.”

She explained that Kyra had lived with her father full-time from a young age due to her struggles with addiction and mental health.

She said: “I was struggling with mental health and anxiety and the postpartum and having to act my way through it and just feeling like I completely lost myself.”

Actors’ union Sag-Aftra paid tribute to her on social media.

In a post on X, the union said: “We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere.

“A child actor, Hayden’s long career in TV & film included memorable roles in Heroes, Nashville & more.

“Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans.”