American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at 36.
Her family confirmed her death on Sunday, August 16, 2026, through a statement issued by her publicist. Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, remembered her as a vibrant person who brought joy to millions through her work.
No cause of death had been disclosed as of Monday, August 17.
Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began her career as a child performer. She voiced Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life (1998), with her work on the film’s read-along album earning a Grammy nomination.
Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she was cast as Claire Bennet, a teenage cheerleader with regenerative powers, in NBC’s Heroes. The role earned her three Teen Choice Awards and international recognition.
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In 2012, she joined Nashville as Juliette Barnes, an ambitious country singer. Her performance earned Golden Globe nominations in 2013 and 2014.
Her other credits included Remember the Titans, Ice Princess and Scream 4. She reprised her role as Kirby Reed in Scream VI in 2023. Her final reported film, Sleepwalker, was released in the US in January 2026.
Panettiere published her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, on May 19, 2026, reflecting on childhood fame, motherhood, addiction, recovery and postpartum depression.
Her death comes three years after her brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died at 28 on February 19, 2023. His family attributed his death to complications associated with an enlarged heart and an aortic-valve condition.
Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her parents.
Her career, which began in childhood and spanned more than three decades, left an enduring mark on television, film and animation.