Tennessee pastor Dylan Novak, founder of Celebrity Evangelist Ministries, reflected on his 2024 meeting with actress Hayden Panettiere shortly before her death, describing a "sad presence" that he and his wife sensed around her.
Novak, who has shared his faith with over 2,000 celebrities, met Panettiere in April 2024 at Steel City Con in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. He and his wife spoke with the actress about parenthood and raising daughters, and while they were able to share their faith, Novak said the encounter left them with a somber feeling.
"One thing my wife and I immediately started talking about after we met her was what a sad presence there was about her," Novak told Fox News Digital. "And I've talked a lot about that this past week. I wish we had had an opportunity to follow up with Hayden again."
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," died on August 16 at age 36. Preliminary autopsy results indicated no signs of trauma, and her death remains under investigation.
Novak noted that others who had worked with Panettiere shared similar observations of her character. "There was such a kindness about her, but there was also such a heartbreaking sadness that also surrounded her," he said.
Novak's ministry aims to share the gospel with individuals in the entertainment industry, which he considers a "forgotten mission field." He believes Panettiere's passing underscores the importance and urgency of his work. "It just filled me with the fuel, the fire of the gospel of, we need to keep doing this. This is why we do what we do," he stated.
Novak described his approach as personal, engaging each celebrity in conversations about their lives and spiritual well-being. He provides gift bags containing Bibles, Christian resources, and handwritten notes tailored to their public statements on faith. His ministry has previously engaged with figures such as President Donald Trump, Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Ozzy Osbourne, and Sydney Sweeney.
Novak shared an anecdote about providing a modern-translation Bible to Ozzy Osbourne, which the rock legend reportedly read extensively. Following Osbourne's death in July 2025, Novak's ministry received numerous emails from fans seeking similar spiritual resources, with many expressing a renewed interest in faith inspired by Osbourne's engagement with the material.
"We had, no exaggeration, hundreds of people emailing us asking for gospel information," Novak recounted. "People saying, ‘I want to be saved' and that is just so beautiful to see."