Hayden Panettiere, actress in ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ dies at 36

By Karina Tsui, Alex Stambaugh, CNN

(CNN) — Actress Hayden Panettiere, known for portraying an indestructible cheerleader in “Heroes” and a country music sensation in “Nashville,” has died, her representative told CNN. She was 36.

Panettiere soared to stardom in the early 2000s before stepping back from the public spotlight as she battled challenges with addiction and mental health. She recently released a memoir describing her struggles and spoke publicly about the pain of losing her brother.

Details about the cause of death weren’t immediately released. ABC was the first to report the news.

“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 shared by her representative.

Panettiere was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex Sunday afternoon, CNN affiliate WHNS reported, citing local police.

CNN has sought information from Greenville police.

Officers responded around 1:51 p.m. after a report of an unresponsive female, WHNS said. Medical assistance was administered, but Panettiere was pronounced dead.

Greenville police are investigating the death in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, WHNS reported. Preliminary findings have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, police said, according to WHNS.

Panettiere was known for her role in the late-aughts television series “Heroes,” in which she played self-healing cheerleader Claire Bennet, and “Nashville,” in which she played young country music star Juliette Barnes.

She was featured in 2011’s “Scream 4” as Kirby Reed and returned to the horror franchise years later in the sixth installment. She also had notable roles in the films “Remember the Titans”; “Bring It On: All or Nothing,” a sequel in the anthology series of competitive cheerleading; and “I Love You Beth Cooper.”

She was also one of the youngest people ever nominated for a Grammy Award for voicing Princess Dot in the 1998 movie “A Bug’s Life.”

Throughout the years, Panettiere spoke openly about her struggles with addiction. She released a candid memoir earlier this year titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” reflecting on her life growing up from a child star to confronting postpartum depression, addiction, recovery and domestic abuse.

“I could relate to a lot of those storylines like the alcoholism and postpartum depression. They hit close to home,” she told People magazine in 2022.

At one point, Panettiere told the magazine, she was hospitalized with jaundice, and doctors told her that her liver was “going to give out.”

Panettiere shares an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with her former partner, Wladimir Klitschko, a Ukrainian former professional boxer.

In 2022, she opened up in an episode of “Red Table Talk” about the “very upsetting” experience of relinquishing custody of her daughter to Klitschko. Panettiere had previously said she was struggling with substance misuse at the time of that decision in 2018 and the issue wasn’t up for “discussion.”

“It was the hardest thing I could do,” she recalled. “But the best thing for my daughter was to make sure she was okay, take care of myself and make sure I could be a good mom to her. And sometimes that means letting go.”

Panettiere had also spoken about the loss of her brother, voice-over actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 from an enlarged heart with aortic valve complications.

“There was nothing in my life that feels like losing my other half,” she told podcaster Jay Shetty in an interview earlier this year. “We were so close, and being the older sibling – who it’s your job to protect them and keep them safe – and not being able to, heartbreaking doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Beyond acting and singing, Panettiere had also been known for her advocacy, supporting mental health awareness, animal rights and environmental issues.

She was honored by officials in Washington, DC, for her advocacy for DC voting rights and statehood, with the mayor proclaiming a “Hayden Panettiere Day” on September 16, 2011.

She had also been an advocate for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, expressing her support for the Ukrainian people and launching a relief fund in 2022 to raise funding for medical supplies and protective gear for Ukrainians.

Panettiere told CNN she could not “continue to sit on the sidelines” and watch people suffer in the country where she has friends and family. Klitschko’s brother, Vitali Klitschko, is the mayor of Kyiv.

Actors’ union SAG-AFTRA paid tribute to Panettiere, whom it said had been a member since 1994. “We mourn the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere,” the union said in a statement. “A child actor, Hayden’s long career in TV & film included memorable roles in ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’ & more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans.”

“Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” Melissa Barrera, who appeared alongside Panettiere in “Scream VI,” wrote on Instagram.

Fans also remember the actress for her role in “Ice Princess,” alongside Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February 2025 at age 39 due to complications of diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City medical examiner’s office.

“I can’t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year,” Shetty said in response to Variety’s Instagram post about the actress’ death. “My love and condolences to her family and fans.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

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CNN’s Dan Heching, Diego Mendoza and Holly Yan contributed to this report.