Hayden Panettiere, the actress who became a household name through Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at just 36 years old. Her representative confirmed the news to ABC News, while her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as “an incredible light” and a “force of nature” who brought joy to millions. The family has asked for privacy as they cope with the devastating loss. No cause of death has been publicly announced.

Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in television shows before voicing Princess Dot in A Bug’s Life and starring in Remember the Titans. Her breakthrough came in 2006 when she was cast as Claire Bennet, the superpowered cheerleader on NBC’s Heroes. She later earned two Golden Globe nominations for her role as Juliette Barnes on Nashville and returned as Kirby Reed in Scream 6.

Behind her Hollywood success, however, Panettiere openly discussed difficult personal struggles. She spoke publicly about postpartum depression, alcoholism and addiction following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she shared deeply personal experiences about recovery, motherhood and the challenges of growing up in the spotlight.

Panettiere had also endured the devastating death of her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at 28. Her own life was marked by extraordinary success, painful struggles and remarkable honesty about both. She leaves behind her daughter, Kaya, and her parents. Hayden Panettiere was only 36—a life and career cut tragically short. Her legacy will live on through the characters she brought to millions of viewers.