{"id":858687,"date":"2026-08-17T17:28:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/858687\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T17:28:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:28:31","slug":"hayden-panettiere-death-tributes-roll-in-for-heroes-actress-hayden-panettiere-following-death-aged-36","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/858687\/","title":{"rendered":"Hayden Panettiere death: Tributes roll in for Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere following death aged 36"},"content":{"rendered":"

Actress Hayden Panettiere<\/a> has died aged 36. Her representatives confirmed the news<\/a> in a statement released on August 17. <\/p>\n

The star of the hit series Heroes and Nashville has been remembered as \u201can incredible light and force of nature\u201d as tributes roll in for the late star. <\/p>\n

\"Hayden<\/p>\n

Panettiere rose to fame in the TV series Heroes, before landing roles in Nashville, Scream 4 and the Bring It On series.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde star Selma Blair<\/a>, who was a close friend of Panettiere\u2019s, left a comment on her final social media post<\/a> from two weeks ago. <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you. Don\u2019t be gone. Don\u2019t be gone. Please. Please,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you whale tail my friend,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m dying. Please be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the pair never starred together in a project, they are said to have run in similar social circles in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n

Just a few months ago, Panettiere appeared on the Jay Shetty podcast<\/a> for a wide-ranging discussion about growing up in the spotlight, battling addiction and postpartum depression. <\/p>\n

In the comments section of an Instagram post by Variety announcing the news of Panettiere\u2019s death, Shetty shared his shock. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year,\u201d he wrote. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy love and condolences to her family and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her Scream co-star David Arquette also commented underneath the post, writing: \u201cI love you Hayden.\u201d <\/p>\n

Arquette attended a horror convention with Panettiere in February. <\/p>\n

\"Jay<\/p>\n

Panettiere opened up on Jay Shetty\u2019s podcast just months ago.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Famed Leave (Get Out) singer Jojo also took to the social media platform to remember the star, writing on her Instagram story: \u201cThis is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh my god.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scream co-star Melissa Barrera also took to Instagram with a tribute for Panettiere, writing \u201cRest in peace sweet Hayden.\u201d <\/p>\n

Panettiere publicly supported Barrera after she was axed from Scream 7 over social media posts relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Panettiere called her co-stars axing \u201cvery unfair and upsetting.\u201d <\/p>\n

The SAG-AFTRA Actors union also issues a statement, writing: \u201cWe join in mourning the sudden passing of Hayden Panettiere.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Melissa<\/p>\n

Scream co-star Melissa Barrera also took to Instagram with a tribute for Panettiere, writing \u201cRest in peace sweet Hayden.\u201d \u00a0nna\\chantelle.bozicevic<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting as a child actor, Hayden\u2019s long career in TV and film included memorable roles in \u2018Heroes,\u2019 \u2018Nashville\u2019 and more. Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends and fans. May she RIP.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marvel actor Jeremy Renner wrote: \u201cBless you and your family.\u201d <\/p>\n

7th Heaven actress Beverley Mitchell paid tribute to Panettiere underneath the Nashville star\u2019s last Instagram post. <\/p>\n

\u201cPraying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n

Rosie O\u2019Donnell shared a photo of the Bring it On star to her Instagram with the caption \u201cOh my god – heartbroken.\u201d <\/p>\n

News of Panettiere\u2019s death was shared in a statement given to multiple US outlets by her father, Skip Panettiere. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hayden<\/p>\n

The former childhood star rose to fame in the 2000s. \u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

At the time of publishing, a cause of death has not been released. <\/p>\n

Panettiere began her acting career at just four years old, becoming best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville. <\/p>\n

She had largely stepped back from the public eye, aside from a 2023 role in Scream VI, before releasing her memoir May 12, 2026. <\/p>\n