Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36

| Deputy Entertainment Editor Published August 17, 2026 5:39am Updated August 17, 2026 5:39am Actress Hayden Panettiere has died aged 36 (Picture: WireImage) Actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died aged 36. A representative confirmed her death to ABC News on Sunday, saying she brought ‘immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her’. A statement from her father Skip said: ‘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.’ He also asked that her family be given privacy as they ‘take time to process this unimaginable loss.’ Her cause of death has not been announced. The 36-year-old began acting as a child (Picture: Getty Images) Panettiere later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes (Picture: NBCUniversal via Getty Images) She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter. Panettiere began acting as a child and appeared in soap operas before gaining wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans alongside Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in 1998’s A Bug’s Life. She later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before going on to star as country singer Juliette Barnes in the hit TV series Nashville. Panettiere also appeared in the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed, and lent her voice to the video game Until Dawn. Her brother, Jensen, passed away in February 2023 from ‘an enlarged heart’ aged 28. Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoirs This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction and recovery. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you This led to her decision to give up custody of her only child Kaya in 2018, who she shares with her former partner Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian professional boxer. Arrow MORE: Kelly defends Ozzy Osbourne after Twisted Sister frontman makes shock claim about Black Sabbath lyrics Arrow MORE: Emilie Kiser says she ‘knows she’s made mistakes’ in emotional video after life jacket backlash Arrow MORE: Earth, Wind and Fire star John Paris put in induced coma after suffering medical emergency TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.