American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, her family confirmed through her publicist.
Panettiere rose to international fame as Claire Bennet, the regenerative cheerleader in NBC’s Heroes.
She later earned widespread acclaim for playing country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a role that brought her two Golden Globe nominations.
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Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Scream 4, Scream 6, Raising Helen and I Love You, Beth Cooper. She began acting as a child and also voiced Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.
Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, described her as “an incredible light” who brought immense love and joy to those around her.
The family has asked for privacy as it mourns her death.
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The cause of death has not been disclosed. Reuters reports that the circumstances are being investigated, while authorities have not announced a definitive cause.
Panettiere had recently returned to the public spotlight, including the release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, earlier in 2026. Her final screen appearance was in the psychological thriller Sleepwalker, released in January.
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She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023.
