Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in the television series "Heroes" and "Nashville," died Sunday in South Carolina. She was 36.
Tributes to Panettiere have been shared by friends, colleagues, and fans following the news of her passing. Specific details surrounding her death have not been released.
Panettiere's career began at a young age, and she gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Claire Bennet in the NBC superhero drama "Heroes" starting in 2006. She later starred as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama "Nashville" from 2012 to 2018.
In May 2026, Panettiere published her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning." In interviews promoting the book, she spoke candidly about personal struggles, including her experiences with the intense pressures of early fame. She described the paparazzi culture of the 2000s as relentless, likening the pursuit to being hunted. Panettiere also discussed the challenges of navigating her career at a young age, stating she sometimes struggled to distinguish between her own identity and her characters', particularly when portraying intense emotional scenes.
She also shared her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter in December 2014. Panettiere described feeling profound sadness despite having a healthy baby and a fortunate life, indicating a struggle to find happiness during that period.