Actress Hayden Panettiere, Star of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ Dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for her roles in the television dramas “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has passed away at 36, her father announced Sunday. Skip Panettiere confirmed his daughter’s death through a statement shared with ABC News, describing her as a beloved family member whose presence enriched those around her both personally and through her screen work.

The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death remain undisclosed, with no cause released publicly. Her representatives did not provide additional details when contacted by wire services regarding the unexpected loss.

Panettiere’s entertainment career spanned nearly three decades, beginning in 1996 with roles across television, film, and animation. Beyond her marquee performances in “Heroes” as a cheerleader with superhuman abilities and in the country music drama “Nashville,” she lent her voice to the character Dot in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” and appeared in films including “Remember the Titans” and “Scream VI.”

The actress had publicly discussed her mental health challenges and battle with alcohol dependency, particularly following the birth of her daughter in 2014. In her 2024 memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” Panettiere detailed her journey, including her decision to grant full custody of her child to former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko, her former partner.