Hayden Panettiere, the actress who rose to international fame through “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at the age of 36.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement released Sunday. He described his daughter as an extraordinary person who brought joy and love to those around her.
No cause of death has been announced. Panettiere would have celebrated her 37th birthday later this week.
Panettiere began performing as a child, appearing in commercials and television productions before making the breakthrough that turned her into a household name.
Her biggest early success came with NBC’s “Heroes,” where she played cheerleader Claire Bennet, a teenager with extraordinary regenerative abilities. The series became a major television hit after its debut in 2006.
Her performance earned her several Teen Choice Awards and established her as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars.
She later took on another defining role as Juliette Barnes in the country music drama “Nashville.” The series allowed Panettiere to showcase her acting and singing abilities, while earning her two Golden Globe nominations.
Her music from the series also found success on the Billboard country charts.
Beyond television, Panettiere appeared in films including “Remember the Titans,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper” and the “Scream” franchise.
She was also candid about personal struggles involving depression, alcohol addiction and substance abuse. In recent years, she spoke publicly about her recovery and the challenges surrounding motherhood and her daughter.
Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, also an actor, died in 2023 at age 28 from heart complications.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans who remember her for the characters that made her a familiar face on television.
