Heroes & Nashville Star Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36
MovieStillsDB
Published Aug 16, 2026, 11:15 PM EDT
Jennifer is a TV and Movie News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media in 2022 when she first joined Valnet at CBR before coming to ScreenRant.
Jennifer loves TV, especially science fiction. She also loves late-night talk shows, due to her insomnia. Alien: Earth is definitely one of her favorite shows, and she jumps on any chance she gets to write about it. Even on her days off, she will claim an Alien Earth article if one is available.
Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are two of her favorite late-night hosts, and Conan O'Brien before he left his show.
Her Alien: Earth coverage for ScreenRant is by far the work that she is most proud of so far.
She was initially a finance and political editor, but her passion for pop culture convinced her to transition into entertainment journalism.
During her off time, she loves to binge-watch cooking shows such as Kitchen Nightmares. Jennifer also loves spending time with her daughter and cherishes every moment of it.
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Hayden Panettiere has sadly died at age 36.
According to a report from ABC News, the actor who is best known for her portrayal of Juliette Barnes on Nashville and Claire Bennet on Heroes has passed away. In a statement provided to the publication, Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death, remembering the actress as a positive presence who brought happiness to the people in her life as well as her fans. Her cause of death is unknown at the time of this article's publication.
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.
Panettiere began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age and went on to star in a large number of critically acclaimed TV series and movies. Among her most recognizable performances were Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Nashville, Heroes, and Scream 4.
Over the years, Panettiere has spoken publicly about the difficulties she experienced while growing up in the spotlight and the challenges of being a child star that carried over to her adult life. She also wrote about her experiences in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning.
Panettiere first appeared in a TV commercial in 1990 when she was only 11 months old. She transitioned into regular acting a few years later, joining ABC’s One Life to Live as Sarah Roberts in 1994 and remaining with the series until 1997. She portrayed Lizzie Spaulding on CBS’ Guiding Light, starring in the long-running series between 1996 and 2000. She was also a voice actor, playing the character Dot in Pixar’s 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life.
Aside from acting, Panettiere was an activist who had supported several causes. In 2007, she became a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities and joined the organization’s celebrity group, the Friends of RMHC. That same year, she took part in a protest against dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan, and worked with the Whaleman Foundation.
ScreenRant's condolences go out to Hayden Panettiere and her loved ones during this difficult time.
Birthdate August 21, 1989
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