Hayden Panettiere, Heroes and Nashville Star, Dies at 36

By Akinwande Jordan

Hayden Panettiere, the actor known for Heroes, Nashville, Remember the Titans and the Scream franchise, has died at 36.

                   PHOTO CREDIT|Getty Images

Hayden Panettiere, the actor whose career spanned more than three decades, has died at the age of 36.

Panettiere’s death was confirmed by her representative in a statement issued on behalf of her family. She died on Sunday, August 16. Her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as “an incredible light” who brought love and joy to those around her and to the millions who watched her work.

Born in New York in 1989, Panettiere began working as a child actor before establishing herself across film and television. She gained international recognition as Claire Bennet, the indestructible cheerleader at the centre of NBC’s Heroes, which premiered in 2006. The role made her one of the most recognisable young actors of her generation.

She later starred as Juliette Barnes in ABC’s Nashville, earning two Golden Globe nominations for her performance as the ambitious country singer navigating fame, addiction and personal turmoil.

Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Scream 4 and Scream VI, while her voice work included Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. She also appeared in the Kingdom Hearts video-game series and Until Dawn. Her final film role was in the 2026 psychological thriller Sleepwalker.

In May, Panettiere published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she reflected candidly on childhood stardom, motherhood and the personal struggles that accompanied her career.

The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Her brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023.

Black Film Wire extends its condolences to Panettiere’s family, friends, collaborators and fans.