Actress Hayden Panettiere, Star of 'Nashville' and 'Heroes,' Dies at 36

Actress Hayden Panettiere, widely recognized for her roles in the television series "Nashville" and "Heroes," has passed away at the age of 36, according to reports from US media outlets citing a statement from her father.

Her representative shared with ABC News that Panettiere 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 on screen." The cause of her death was not immediately reported, and her agency had not responded to requests for comment from Reuters.

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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 on screen.

Panettiere began her acting career as a child, gaining early recognition for voicing Dot in Pixar's 1998 animated film "A Bug's Life." She later achieved significant fame for her portrayal of cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's "Heroes," which premiered in 2006. She also appeared in the 2000 film "Remember the Titans" and earned two Golden Globe nominations for her role as Juliette Barnes in "Nashville."

Her recent work included the psychological thriller "Sleepwalker," released in January 2026. Panettiere's brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at the age of 28 due to complications from an enlarged heart and an aortic valve condition.

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It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 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.