Hayden Panettiere remembered as an 'incredible light' as tributes pour in
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| "An incredible light and a force of nature." Credit: Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images |
Hayden Panettiere, star of Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.
Announced by CBS News, the actor passed away on Monday. According to the news outlet, "an investigation is ongoing" into Panettiere's death.
Tributes to Panettiere are pouring in from family, friends, co-stars, celebrities, and fans. In a statement given to CBS News through a publicist, her father Skip Panettiere paid tribute to his daughter.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," his statement reads. "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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."
New York-raised Panettiere's screen career spanned decades, from TV roles in soap opera One Life to Live at four years old to her celebrated performance as high school cheerleader Claire on Heroes and her Golden Globe-nominated role as country music star Juliette Barnes on Nashville. In film, Panettiere was well-known for her Scream character Kirby Reed, as well as roles in Remember the Titans, Custody, Bring It On: All or Nothing, and Raising Helen. And she also gained fame for her voice acting in video games Until Dawn and Kingdom Hearts.
Panetierre detailed her life in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Kaya.
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| Hayden Panettiere in "Nashville," for which she gained two Golden Globe nominations. Credit: Mark Levine / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images |
Viola Davis, who starred in Custody with Panettiere in 2016, posted on Instagram. "What an amazing talent you were....so gifted," she wrote. "I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered."
Panetierre's Scream co-star Melissa Barrera posted a tribute in an Instagram Story, writing, "Rest in peace sweet Hayden." Fellow Scream franchise star David Arquette also posted on Instagram, "I love you Hayden."
One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy-Lenz posted on Instagram mourning her long-time friend, saying she met Panettiere at New York production studio Screen Gems in childhood. "I'm crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals."
Heroes writer Bryan Fuller wrote on Instagram, "Wise beyond her years and already saddled with so much of a life, she left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller. Incredibly sad news." Panettiere's co-star on the show, James Kyson, posted, "I remember her as a fierce protector of animal rights and a 'cheerleader' for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly - something that I’ve always appreciated."
Brit Shaw, who guest starred on Nashville, posted of Panettiere, "She had this way of making you feel at home. From the moment I walked onto the Nashville set, she made me feel like I belonged. We had so many good times together, and I’ll always be grateful for them."
Both sharing sweet photos with Panetierre from the 2000s, actor Taryn Manning posted, "Hayden was always such a sweetheart- so rad - down to earth, kind, and consistently the same every time I saw her," and singer Ashlee Simpson posted on Instagram of being "deeply saddened by the news...You will be deeply missed."
Actor and author Alyson Stoner, who voiced Kingdom Hearts character Kairi as well as Panetierre, posted a moving video to Instagram, "from one Kairi to another."
Screen icon Rosie O'Donnell posted of being "heartbroken," on Instagram, singer Jojo shared a Story writing of the "devastating news."
Podcaster Jay Shetty, who interviewed Panettiere in May on the release of her memoir, wrote on Instagram, "I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans."
SAG-AFTRA also posted on X in tribute to Panettiere, who was a member of the guild for decades. "We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere," the post reads. "Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans."
This story is developing...