American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
Panettiere’s death was confirmed by her family through her representative. Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, described her as an “incredible light” who brought immense love and joy to those around her and to the millions who watched her on screen.
The actress died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in South Carolina. Emergency responders were called after she was found unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a preliminary investigation had found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, although the investigation remains ongoing.
Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
Panettiere began her acting career as a child, appearing in television commercials before landing roles in productions including One Life to Live and A Bug’s Life. She later gained widespread recognition for playing Claire Bennet, the cheerleader with regenerative powers, in NBC’s hit superhero drama Heroes.
She went on to star as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama Nashville, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress. The series ran from 2012 to 2018 and became one of the defining projects of her career.
Panettiere also appeared in several major films, including Remember the Titans, Scream 4 and Scream VI. Her work extended beyond acting, with her early voice performance as Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life earning a Grammy nomination for the film’s read-along album.
In recent years, Panettiere had returned to the spotlight after taking time away from acting. She appeared in Scream VI in 2023 and had a role in the 2026 psychological thriller Sleepwalker, which became her final screen appearance.
Earlier this year, she also released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected on her experiences growing up in the entertainment industry and the difficult periods of her personal life.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Her death comes three years after the death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at the age of 28.
News of her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fellow entertainers. Actors including Viola Davis, Selma Blair, David Arquette and Melissa Barrera have expressed their grief and remembered Panettiere for her talent and spirit.
Her death at just 36 has left fans mourning an actress who had been a familiar face on television and film for more than three decades.
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