Columbia, South Carolina, 18 August (H.S.): American actress Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday at the age of 36 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was found unresponsive at her home, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. The official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Panettiere, best known for her roles in the television series ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’, had a long career in film and television. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s before stepping away from the spotlight amid struggles with addiction and mental health challenges. Her memoir, ‘This Is Me’, was published recently, in which she spoke candidly about her personal struggles and the pain of losing her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said it received a 911 call on Sunday afternoon reporting that the actress was unresponsive in Greenville. Medical personnel attempted to revive her using advanced cardiac life support measures. However, she was pronounced dead after approximately 30 minutes. An autopsy conducted on Monday found no signs of traumatic injuries. The official cause and manner of death remain subject to further investigation.
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden.” He described her as an extraordinary person and a woman full of energy who brought immense love and joy to her fans.
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA also mourned her death. The union said Panettiere had been a member since 1994 and highlighted her long career in television and film, which began when she was a child. It extended its condolences to her daughter, family, friends and fans.
Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began her career at just 11 months old, appearing in commercials. She subsequently established herself as a child actor in television and films. From 1996 to 2000, she played Lizzie Spaulding in the CBS soap opera ‘Guiding Light’. She also appeared in the 1998 animated film ‘A Bug’s Life’ and its related projects.
Panettiere was among the youngest performers to receive a Grammy nomination for her work connected with ‘A Bug’s Life: Read-Along’.
Fans also remember her for her role alongside Michelle Trachtenberg in the 2005 film ‘Ice Princess’. Trachtenberg died in February 2025 due to complications related to diabetes mellitus.
Panettiere achieved widespread recognition as a teenager after being cast as Claire Bennet, a cheerleader with regenerative powers, in NBC’s science-fiction drama ‘Heroes’. The series ran from 2006 to 2010 and established her as an internationally recognised television star.
In 2011, she appeared as Kirby Reed in ‘Scream 4’ and later reprised the character in the sixth instalment of the horror franchise, ‘Scream VI’. Her other notable film credits included ‘Remember the Titans’, ‘Bring It On: All or Nothing’ and ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’.
Panettiere earned another major role in ABC’s musical drama series ‘Nashville’, in which she portrayed young country music star Juliette Barnes alongside Connie Britton from 2012 to 2018. Following news of her death, Britton shared several photographs of Panettiere on Instagram and expressed her heartbreak.
Panettiere had a daughter, Kaya, with her former husband, Ukrainian former world heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Kaya, 11, lives with her father. Panettiere publicly supported Ukraine following Russia’s invasion and launched a relief fund in 2022 to raise money for medical supplies and protective equipment for Ukrainians. Klitschko’s brother, Vitali Klitschko, is the mayor of Kyiv.
Panettiere returned to acting with ‘Amber Alert’ in 2024 and the 2026 film ‘Sleepwalker’, marking her return to the screen after periods away from the entertainment industry.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fellow actors and fans, who have remembered her for her memorable performances and decades-long contribution to the entertainment industry.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
