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Hayden Panettiere, 'Heroes' and 'Nashville' star, dies at 36

Published Aug 17, 2026 12:06 pm

At A Glance

  • Hayden Panettiere, known for "Heroes," "Nashville" and "Bring It On: All or Nothing," has died at 36. Her family confirmed her passing and asked for privacy.

Hayden Panettiere, the actress who rose to fame as a child and became widely known for “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at 36.

Her representative confirmed her death to ABC News. No cause of death has been disclosed.

Her father, Skip Panettiere, remembered his daughter as a remarkable presence whose impact reached far beyond her family and friends.

“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,” he said.

The family has asked for privacy as they grieve her loss.

Panettiere began working as a child and built a career across television and film. She became a familiar face to audiences through “Heroes,” in which she played cheerleader Claire Bennet, and later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in “Nashville.” Her other credits included “Remember the Titans,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.”

Earlier this year, Panettiere also opened up about her life in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” released in May. The book offered a deeply personal account of her experiences in Hollywood and her struggles away from the spotlight.

Related Tags

Hayden Panettiere Hayden Panettiere dies Hayden Panettiere death Heroes Nashville Bring It On Bring It On All or Nothing Scream 4 Scream VI
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