Justin Chatwin, a co-star of the late Hayden Panettiere, has voiced his grief and anger over what he perceives as a cultural failing within Hollywood, particularly regarding support systems for those grappling with trauma and addiction.

Panettiere, who died on August 16 at the age of 36, was found in cardiac arrest at her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Preliminary autopsy results indicated no signs of trauma contributing to her death, though the official cause and manner of death are still under investigation. Panettiere had been open about her past struggles with addiction and personal challenges, detailing some of these experiences in her 2026 memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."

Chatwin, who recently worked with Panettiere on her final film, "Sleepwalker," told Fox News Digital that his grief has manifested as anger toward an industry he believes does not adequately care for its people.

"I'm a man, so I process things by getting pissed off," Chatwin said. "And so I'm kind of angry that this is the culture that — and this is the industry — that people aren't taken care of. They get the work, they sell the product, and there's just a lot of people in our industry that are dying from … inability to feel pain or heal trauma."

He further stated that there is insufficient support and awareness surrounding these issues. Chatwin, who first met Panettiere years ago when she was in her 20s and starring on "Heroes," reunited with her for "Sleepwalker," a psychological thriller released in January. Panettiere played a grieving mother in the film and also served as an executive producer.

Chatwin recalled a dinner with Panettiere after "Sleepwalker" wrapped, describing her as one of his favorite people to work with. However, he also sensed a deep pain she carried, stemming from family issues, her daughter, and the toll of two decades in Hollywood. "Life had taken a toll on her, and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents," he observed.

The actor also commented on the inherent loneliness within the entertainment industry, noting the contrast between a vibrant film set and the solitude of returning home. "Sometimes the pain is unbearable, and at the end of the day, you go home from a warm, fun movie set where everyone's telling you you're great, and you're alone in your house and you still got to order your coffee and eat your dinner," he said. "It's a really lonely career."

Chatwin suggested that actors should carefully consider roles that might resurface unhealed trauma. Panettiere's death followed the 2023 passing of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, at age 28, a loss that deeply affected her.

Despite the struggles he witnessed, Chatwin remembered Panettiere for her kindness and generosity of spirit, calling her "one of the top five, top 10 favorite people that I've ever worked with" and stating, "She's just got one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I've worked with."

Chatwin emphasized that the issues Panettiere faced are not isolated to Hollywood but represent a broader epidemic of trauma and addiction affecting people nationwide. He expressed a hope that Panettiere's primary focus in her later life was simply to "be happy."