Hayden Panettiere, who became a household name as a teenager for her role in Heroes and later starred in Nashville and the Scream films, has died aged 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Panettiere’s father, Skip said in a statement to ABC News. “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 or further information about her death has been shared.
Panettiere’s breakthrough role came with NBC’s sci-fi drama Heroes, where she played Claire Bennet, a high-school cheerleader with the power to regenerate from injuries, from 2006 to 2010.
She followed Heroes with Nashville, playing aspiring country singer Juliette Barnes from 2012 to 2018. The performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Panettiere’s New York Times bestselling memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning was published in May this year, where she looked back at her childhood in Hollywood and her experiences with addiction, postpartum depression, abusive relationships, and the loss of custody of her daughter, Kaya, whom she shares with former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko.
Horror convention Scaradise pays tribute to Hayden Panettiere
The horror and pop-culture convention Scaradise has paid tribute to Hayden Panettiere after her death, describing her as “so sweet and kind”.
“We are incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Hayden Panettiere. Hayden joined us at our February show and quickly became one of our favorite people. She was so sweet & kind. She brought joy to everyone she met. We are so grateful to have shared that time with her,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone who loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
Scaradise, held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa from 27 February to 1 March, featured Panettiere alongside several of her Scream co-stars, including Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, and David Arquette.
Hayden Panettiere’s father pays tribute to ‘incredible light’ after her death
Hayden Panettiere’s father Skip has asked for privacy as the family mourns the actor’s death at 36.
Confirming her death in a statement to ABC News, he described his daughter as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought “immeasurable love and joy” to those who knew her and the millions who watched her onscreen.
He asked for privacy ‘as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.’”
No cause of death has been announced, and further details surrounding her death have not been released.
Hayden Panettiere dead: Heroes and Nashville star dies aged 36
Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” Panettiere’s father, Skip said in a statement to ABC News. “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 was announced.