Hayden Panettiere has died at age 36. The actress, known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, leaves behind a career that spanned three decades. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the news today, describing her as a force of nature who made a significant impact on her audience.
Panettiere began her professional career at age four, appearing in the soap opera One Life to Live. She gained widespread recognition in the late 2000s for her portrayal of Claire Bennet in the science fiction series Heroes. Beyond her television work, she appeared in films such as Remember the Titans and the Scream horror franchise.
Earlier this year, she published a memoir titled This Is Me: A Reckoning, which addressed her time as a child performer and her personal struggles with addiction and recovery. She also gained attention for speaking openly about her experience with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2015. Her family has requested privacy during this time as they navigate their loss.
Authorities have not released details regarding the cause of her death. She is survived by her daughter.