Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at age 36, according to reports from TMZ. Her representatives confirmed the passing in a statement shared with ABC News. The statement described her as an incredible light and a force of nature who brought joy to those around her.
EMS responded to a 911 call in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon regarding an unresponsive woman, according to Consequence. The circumstances did not appear suspicious at first, and there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death.
Panettiere began her career as a child actor, voicing Dot in A Bug’s Life and Dinosaur. She also played the daughter of Will Patton’s character in Remember the Titans. She starred in the TV series Heroes from 2006 to 2009, playing Claire Bennet, according to a report from Deadline.
Her final major television role was as Juliette Barnes in the country music drama Nashville. She also appeared in several Scream films as Kirby Reed, including Scream VI in 2023. Panettiere gave birth to a daughter in 2014, though no longer had custody at the time of her death.
She had custody of her daughter at the time of her death. Her brother Jansen Panettiere passed away in February 2023 due to heart issues. She published a memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning in May 2026.
In the book, she was open about her struggles with mental illness and substance abuse. Tributes have poured in from fellow actors and friends. David Arquette and Melissa Barrera, who worked with her on Scream films, shared messages online.
Selma Blair, who had a small role in Scream 2, posted heartfelt words of love and sorrow. She wrote, “I love you. Don’t be gone. Please.” Bethany Joy Lenz, a One Tree Hill star, shared memories of Panettiere from their early days on set.
She recalled how the young Panettiere would laugh and play between scenes during filming. Jay Shetty, who interviewed her on his podcast earlier this year, said he was deeply moved by their conversation. He noted that their friendship had just begun when news of her passing came.
Panettiere was known for her work in both film and television, including a long run on One Life to Live. She played the character of Sarah Roberts before landing roles in Tiger Cruise and Heroes. Her final major role was in Nashville, where she starred as Juliette Barnes for six seasons.
The show earned two Golden Globe nominations for her performance, Billboard reported. She also recorded music as Juliette Barnes and had songs chart on Billboard’s country lists. Panettiere is survived by her father, Skip Panettiere, and her daughter Kaya.
Her family asked for privacy as they process the loss. She died in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday afternoon. The exact cause of her death has not yet been revealed.
Friends and fans continue to share messages online in memory of the actress. The entertainment world is mourning her passing as many reflect on her long and varied career.
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