Hayden Panettiere, Beloved Star Of Heroes, Scream And Nashville, Dead...

Hayden Panettiere, beloved star of franchises like "Heroes," and "Scream," has sadly passed away at the age of 36, according to ABC News. No cause of death has been confirmed at this time. The actress most recently appeared in the 2026 psychological thriller film "Sleepwalker." "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement, per ABC News. "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." In May of 2026, Panettiere had published a candid memoir titled "This Is Me: A Reckoning," opening up about growing up as a child star, battling addiction, postpartum depression, and more. She played leading roles in acclaimed TV shows like "Heroes" and "Nashville," and starred in "Scream 4" and "Scream VI." She also had a role in one of the best sports movies of all time, "Remember the Titans," a movie that Panettiere once told ET Online was "my favorite movie to film." Panettiere's death at such a tragically young age is a blow to the millions of fans that came of age alongside her throughout her acting career, and to the industry she was a part of for so many years. Panettiere was the eldest child of former soap opera actress Lesley R. Vogel, and joined the industry at just 11 months old, appearing in TV commercials. She then started acting in soap operas starting at 5 years old. Her breakout role came in 2006 with NBC's "Heroes," where Panettiere played a main role as Claire, a cheerleader with super-healing powers.