Hollywood Pays Tribute to Hayden Panettiere, Nashville and Heroes Star, Dead at 36
Friends and co-stars including Viola Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, and more, shared their memories of the actor who died unexpectedly on Sunday.
Hayden Panettiere, who rose to fame as a child actor in the 2000s in films like Remember the Titans and Raising Helen and TV shows like Ally McBeal and Guiding Light—and later starred in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream franchise—died at age 36 on Sunday, August 12, in Greenville, South Carolina. Panettiere’s representatives confirmed the news to several outlets, and the investigation into her death is “ongoing”, though no foul play is suspected.
Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement: “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Panettiere began her acting career in commercials at 11 months old, and was ten when she starred opposite Denzel Washington in 2000’s Remember the Titans. She later played cheerleader Claire Bennet on the supernatural drama Heroes from 2006-2010, and country singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville opposite Connie Britton, a role for which she received two supporting actress Golden Globe nominations in 2013 and 2014.
Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere presenting at the Emmys in 2012.
Throughout adulthood, Panettiere was open about her struggles with mental health and addiction. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, published earlier this year, Panettiere wrote about her body dysmorphia, caused by relentless tabloid and media coverage from her youth. She also talked about experiencing postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter Kaya in 2014, whom she shared with Ukrainian former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere went to rehab in 2015 for treatment of opioid and alcohol addiction, according to the New York Times, and ultimately agreed to give Klitschko full custody of Kaya. Panettiere was most recently in a relationship with Brian Hickerson, who served jail time after pleading no contest to two felony counts of injuring her in 2021, People reports.
In May of this year, while promoting her memoir, Panettiere appeared on Jay Shetty’s podcast and opened up about the “darkness and negativity” of her past—including her brother’s death from a heart condition at age 28. She also shared a disturbing story about an older female friend trying to put her in bed with a famous, naked, older male actor when she was eighteen, which caused a stir on social media.
Still, Panettiere told Shetty that she was feeling hopeful about the future. “I’ve closed one door and another door is opened,” she said. “I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.”
Tributes for Panettiere have poured in on social media, including from many of her past co-stars.
David Arquette, who acted alongside Panettiere in Scream 4, commented on an Instagram post about her death, “I love you Hayden,” and shared an Instagram story to her family honoring the “brave and beautiful soul.”
Melissa Barrera, who acted alongside Panettiere in Scream VI, also posted on Stories: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Selma Blair commented on Panettiere’s final Instagram post, writing, “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.”
Rosie O’Donnell shared a photo of Panettiere from Bring It On: All or Nothing, “Oh my god — heartbroken.”
Viola Davis, who acted with Panettiere in 2006’s Architect and 2016’s Custody, shared a tribute calling the late actor an “amazing talent...so gifted.” Davis added: “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.”
One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz, who acted with Panettiere on Guiding Light, wrote on Instagram that she was “crushed” at the news, and didn’t know “what else to do aside from praying for her soul.”
The Princess Diaries actor Heather Matarazzo recalled seeing Panettiere at auditions “when we were both kids. Every time our paths crossed, my heart always filled up. She was special. She was a Sprite of a being and such a talent,” she wrote on Instagram.
Taryn Manning of Orange Is the New Black shared a photo of her and Panettiere smiling behind a DJ booth, writing: This one hurts...We shared so many funny little moments over the years, and this photo brings it all back. We were in Washington, D.C., surrounded by very suited- slightly strange men, and somehow we just kept catching each other’s eyes and laughing uncontrollably at the weirdness...That was Hayden - down to clown - easy, funny, real. Just such a dear, a rad rad human.I don’t really have words for what has happened and she is suddenly gone. I’m just grateful I got to know her and have memories like this.”
