Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at 36, her representative confirmed to ABC News on Aug. 17, 2026. Details surrounding her death were not immediately available.
Panettiere became widely known for playing Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on the musical drama Nashville.
Her other credits included Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and Scream VI.
The actress began her career as a child performer and remained active in television and film for decades.
Her career later expanded into personal storytelling, including her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May 2026.
In the memoir, Panettiere discussed growing up in the spotlight and opened up about addiction and postpartum depression.
Ahead of its release, She told The Hollywood Reporter that she wanted to share her experiences honestly while protecting people connected to her story.
Panettiere also had a daughter, Kaya, with former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28 from aortic valve complications.
Her representative remembered her as an extraordinary presence who brought joy to those around her and millions of viewers.
Panettiere’s death marks the loss of an actress whose career stretched from childhood roles to major television dramas and film.
