Hayden Panettiere, Heroes And Nashville Star, Dies At 36

Hayden Panettiere, Heroes and Nashville Star, Dies at 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in the television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.

Her death was confirmed by her representative and her father, Skip Panettiere, who issued a statement describing the actress as an “incredible light” who brought joy to her family, friends and millions of fans. Panettiere rose to international prominence as Claire Bennet, the cheerleader with regenerative powers, in NBC’s Heroes. She later starred as country music performer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Scream 4 and Scream VI, while she also provided voice performances in productions including Pixar’s A Bug’s Life and the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise.

Panettiere began working as a child and built a career spanning television, film, voice acting and music. In 2026, she published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected on major personal challenges and her journey through recovery. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko, is Kaya’s father. The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death have not been fully disclosed. Authorities are investigating, while reports indicate that no signs of foul play had been identified in the preliminary investigation. Panettiere’s death at just 36 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment industry, remembering an actress whose career began in childhood and reached audiences around the world.