Hayden Panettiere, the actress who became a fixture of prestige television and horror franchises over two decades, died Sunday at 36. Her representative confirmed the death to ABC News without disclosing a cause.
Panettiere built her career across multiple genres and mediums. She earned recognition for her role as Claire Bennet on NBC's "Heroes," the serialized superhero drama that dominated the mid-2000s. She later joined the cast of the country music drama "Nashville," where she played Juliette Barnes and earned multiple Emmy nominations. In recent years, she appeared in the "Scream" reboot cycle, including "Scream IV" and "Scream VI," inserting herself into one of horror's most durable franchises.
Her early work included a substantial role in the animated series "Avatar: The Last Airbender," where she voiced Ty Lee. She also appeared in "Bring It On" and worked consistently in television before her breakthrough on "Heroes" established her as a name audiences recognized.
Panettiere had spoken publicly about personal struggles, including her recovery from postpartum depression and her work in addiction recovery. In 2023, she shared details of her journey navigating mental health challenges. Her openness about these issues positioned her as someone willing to discuss difficulties many in the industry kept private.
The entertainment industry responded with tributes from colleagues and co-stars who had worked with her across television and film projects. Her death marks another loss of a performer who defined television for millennial audiences during the network era of "Heroes" and shaped the evolution of premium cable drama through her years on "Nashville."