LOS ANGELES: American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at the age of 36, her representative confirmed.
Panettiere, who also appeared in films including “Ice Princess,” “Remember the Titans” and the “Scream” franchise, died on Aug. 16, according to reports. Her representative confirmed her death, while the cause has not been publicly confirmed and remains under investigation.
The actress gained early recognition as a child performer before rising to international fame as Claire Bennet in NBC’s hit series “Heroes.” She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in “Nashville,” a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Panettiere also appeared alongside Michelle Trachtenberg in the 2005 Disney film “Ice Princess.” Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at the age of 39.
Her other notable credits included “Remember the Titans,” “Scream 4” and “Scream 6,” while she also voiced characters in the “Kingdom Hearts” video game series and played Sam Giddings in “Until Dawn.”
Panettiere’s final film role was in the 2026 psychological thriller “Sleepwalker,” which was released earlier this year.
News of her death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues, who remembered the actress for her work across television, film and video games.