Award-winning actress Hayden Panettiere, known for roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," is dead at 36 years old.
The star died on Sunday, Aug. 16, in Greenville, South Carolina, USA TODAY reported, with her representative having confirmed the death to the outlet on Aug. 16. No cause of death has been reported.
Hayden Panettiere's three-decade career began as an 11-month-old child actress appearing in commercials, and she had been vocal in recent years about her troubles with addiction and the effects of childhood stardom.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen,"
her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement. Her father asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."
The actress is survived by her parents and her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya. She was predeceased by her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died at 28 in 2023.
Here's what to know about Hayden Panettiere.
When did Hayden Panettiere die?
Hayden Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36 in Greenville, South Carolina, TMZ first reported.
How did Hayden Panettiere die?
No cause of death has been made public.
Who was Hayden Panettiere?
Born Hayden Lesley Panettiere in Palisades, New York, she was an award-winning actress and singer. She began her career as a child actress at 11 months old and went on to appear in over five dozen films and television series in her three-decade career, per IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. The actress is known for starring in superhero drama series "Heroes" and country music soap opera "Nashville," along with film roles in "Remember The Titans" and "Scream 4."
She is survived by her parents, former soap actress Lesley R. Vogel and Alan Lee “Skip” Panettiere, a former captain with the New York City Fire Department. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28 from a heart condition.
Hayden Panettiere shares an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, a Ukrainian professional boxer.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who was Hayden Panettiere? Star dead at 36
