Hayden Panettiere dies at 36

tvAug 17, 20261022,686

Hayden Panettiere, the actress known for NBC’s Heroes and ABC’s Nashville, has died at 36, her father announced. Her death was confirmed to ABC News by a representative; the family has not released a cause. In May she published a memoir that recounted a tumultuous decade that included depression, substance abuse, losing custody of her daughter and stints in rehab. Her father called her "an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy." Panettiere also had notable voice work and videogame credits, and colleagues including Viola Davis publicly paid tribute to her. Representatives and family have asked for privacy as they mourn and have not provided further details about the circumstances of her death.

KH-Vids

@kh-vids.net

Absolutely soul crushing news. Hayden Panettiere has left such an impact on this community. We will miss her dearly.

4699h ago

United we stand, divided we fall.1

This really shocked me. So young. Strangely I am in the process of watching Nashville for the third time. RIP Hayden. You will be sorely missed.

🗝Sorawolfkiba👑🎮

@sorawolfkiba.bsky.social

Rest in Peace Hayden Panettiere.. such a talented, legendary person gone so soon.. 🕊😔 My Heart goes out to her loved ones.. 🩷

4028h ago

Runie_Mint4

WHAT I legit had to look this up after seeing your post and... 😔 I don't even have the words. She was way too young to die like this. May she rest in peace 💔

ToadinWonderland (BIG Toady🍄)3

I’m still feeling emotional after seeing this news last night. Addiction & mental health challenges are very ugly demons. I can only imagine what she was coping with. And so young too… 🥺 R.I.P. Hayden Panettiere 💔💐🕊️

Duelist2

I read that she wanted to go back to acting after her brother’s death… But it seemed that wasn’t the case anymore…. Her depression took her over even after her brother’s death is what I believe… She’s gone too soon at 36 T_T

જ⁀➴ Pᥱᥲᥴhყ 🌸2

And that's another legend gone too soon 😭

joseph lastname 🎮🏒🪐2

That’s so sad, I was just playing Until Dawn not that long ago. RIP

🌹🍉🍉Anarchy Amy🐞🍉🍉🌹2

Wishful thinking, but I hope they dedicate part of the KH4 end credits to her. Such a shame, I'm sad to see her go.. 😔💔 Rest in Peace Hayden, we'll always be grateful to you for everything ❤️

Daniel Alba

@daniel.gvg.io

“Sora and Kairi’s voices blend together. Today, we’ll leave it to Sora.” There is… something so incredibly sad yet poetic that this reading of Kairi’s letter happened so close to Hayden Panettiere’s passing. Thinking of you wherever you are. Rest in peace.

28510h ago

Quoting this

AuroraHearts 🤍9

The timing on this is actually insane. Rest in peace, Hayden. Thank you for changing so many lives for the better.

N.J4

That's how I've learned about the news 😭

Every Film Now

@everyfilmnow.bsky.social

Viola Davis pays tribute to Hayden Panettiere following her passing. “What an amazing talent you were... so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you... an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden.” #ViolaDavis #HaydenPanettiere

2167h ago

Drew McWeeny

@drewmcweeny.com

Terribly sad to hear about both Hayden Panettiere and Screaming Mad George. She was shockingly young, and he was deeply underrated. Both left their mark and will be missed.

12010h ago

Sara Spector

@miriam2626.bsky.social

I finished reading her book two days ago. It was gut wrenching. And immediately thought to myself, just like Mathew Perry, I don't think she is going to make it. I wish I had been wrong. Rest in Peace. #HaydenPanettiere

1127h ago

Still a nasty woman7

That’s heartbreaking! I haven’t read it but I saw a clip from the podcast she did in May. I swear it looks like she’s trying to convince herself that she has plenty of life to live. Hollywood is not liberal. It’s capitalism on crack. It chews people up & spits them out. I feel so sad for her! 💔😢

Ashley Lynch ✂️🎞️

@ashleylynch.bsky.social

RIP to Hayden Panettiere who we lost way too soon. She'll of course always be the cheerleader from Heroes but when I think of Hayden my thoughts immediately go to the game Until Dawn.

7710h ago

Oathkeeper ☀️

@carneasada.bsky.social

Dream Drop Distance was the last time Hayden Panettiere lent her voice to the Kingdom Hearts series. Despite Alyson Stoner being Xion’s VA, Hayden was brought into DDD for this one line. Perhaps because of that, this scene always had a huge impact on me. I’ll truly never forget her.

499h ago

Tanweer Dar

@tanweerdar.com

Both gone way too soon. 😔 Hayden Panettiere 1989-2026 Michelle Trachtenberg 1985-2025 #RIP #HaydenPanettiere

Hayden Panettiere, playing Gen, smiles down at Michelle Trachtenberg, playing Casey, in the 2005 film 'Ice Princess'.

566h ago

Reuters

@reuters.com

American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in TV shows such as ‘Nashville’ and ‘Heroes,’ has died at the age of 36, U.S. media outlets including ABC News reported, citing a statement from her father

2910h ago

Quoting this

annus mirabilis 🌠 ♑🪐4

Really shocked and saddened by this news. I didn't really follow her career yet I still think of her as super young from her Heroes era. May she rest in eternal peace.

Stormowlo 🦉

@stormowl0.bsky.social

Hearing about Hayden Panettiere’s passing is heartbreaking. Kingdom Hearts has been in my life since I was 4 years old, and it helped me discover the kinds of stories a video game could tell. A big part of that was Hayden's performance as Kairi. RIP to a true icon.

3810h ago

Alb3rt0

@albst3r.bsky.social

As someone who grew up with A Bug’s Life and liked Hayden Panettiere’s role as Dot, this news hurts. Like Daveigh Chase earlier this year, Panettiere died too young. RIP, Hayden.

3210h ago

Eric Goldman

@theericgoldman.bsky.social

Terribly sad news. She was so great as Kirby Reed and a naturally likable presence in any project she appeared in. I remember interviewing her on the set of Heroes when she was a 17 year old kid, brimming with enthusiasm and talent. Gone way too soon. RIP Hayden Panettiere.

3710h ago

Le Monde

@lemonde.fr

Hayden Panettiere, révélée par les séries « Heroes » et « Nashville », est morte à l’âge de 36 ans

1610h ago

Quoting this

Stéphanie CALVIN (France Retranscription)9

On pense à la célébrité, la réussite, l'argent, mais on oublie tout le reste. Mais apparemment, elle était malheureuse ! (Une pensée pour les parents qui viennent de perdre un deuxième enfant !)

JJayRudd

@jjayrudd97.bsky.social

A voice of our childhoods. Gone way too young. This one is heartbreaking. Rest easy Hayden Panettiere

3010h ago

3 sources

latimes.comHayden Panettiere and family reveal brother Jansen Panettiere's cause of death nytimes.comHayden Panettiere, Star of ‘Nashville’ and ‘Heroes,’ Dies at 36 theguardian.comHayden Panettiere, actor in Heroes and Nashville, dies aged 36

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