Last UpdateAugust 17, 2026, 7:08 PM EDT
Hayden Panettiere, who rose to fame as a child actress before starring in hit movies including “Remember the Titans” and “Bring it On: All or Nothing,” has died at 36. The circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately known.
WHAT TO KNOW
- No cause of death was announced for Hayden Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Friday.
- Panettiere began her career as a child actor in commercials and soap operas before she was propelled to fame as a cheerleader with superpowers in the TV series “Heroes” in 2006.
- Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya, who was born in 2014, with Ukrainian boxerWladimir Klitschko.
- Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023, at age 28.
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8 hours ago
PINNED
Hayden Panettiere wrote a haunting line about her ‘last breath’ in memoir
Hayden Panettiere struggled with alcohol and substance abuse. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere reflected on life, growth and mortality in the prologue of her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
The book, released in May 2026, chronicled Panettiere’s life in the public eye, as well as her struggles with addiction, alcohol and mental health after rising to fame as a teenager.
“I never want to stop evolving and changing for the better, and I’ll forever be a work in progress,” Panettiere wrote. “But one thing I know from my 36 years in the public eye is this: Life is a process that evolves day by day, year by year and — like it or not — you are engaged in a cycle of growth until the moment you take your last breath.”
The passage has taken on a poignant new meaning following the actress’ death on Aug. 16.
Panettiere also detailed entering treatment for the first time in 2015, when her daughter, Kaya, was 4 months old. She described the facility as highly personalized but ultimately disconnected from the realities she would face after leaving.
“It was a hugely expensive facility devoted to one-on-one care,” Panettiere wrote. “Trust me, it’s easier to detox and recover when you’re being treated like a queen, but it was too far from the real world to give me perspective.” Though she left sober and with a diagnosis of postpartum depression, Panettiere said she remained in denial about the severity of her alcohol use.
“The idea that a little liquid could take me down or rule my life seemed impossible for a tough girl like me,” she added.
Her first trip to rehab was the start of a new addiction – the medicine given to combat her anxiety.
“I’d walked into rehab addicted to one substance, and I’d walked out, completely dependent on something else,” she said.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
5 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere’s death sparks parallel investigations after ‘Heroes’ star died at 36
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere’s death was under investigation one day after the “Heroes” actress died in South Carolina. She was 36.
Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital confirmed.
“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. “EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department launched parallel investigations into her death.
“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the coroner’s statement continued. “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.“
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Panettiere’s friend, Chelsea Rashoff, revealed she had been expecting to see the “Nashville” star, sharing a photo of her calendar that showed she was supposed to pick Panettiere up from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9 a.m. Monday.
“I wish I could hold you and tell you it will all be okay, but I’m glad you are finally with Jansen now,” she continued. “I love you with my whole heart I miss you so much this doesn’t feel real.”
Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28.
Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
Posted by Tracy Wright
5 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere’s ‘Sleepwalker’ co-star Justin Chatwin remembers the actress behind the scenes
A picture of Justin Chatwin in 2022. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s “Sleepwalker” co-star, Justin Chatwin, is shedding some light on who the actress was when the cameras weren’t rolling.
During an interview with Fox News Digital, Chatwin explained that he first met Panettiere while she was working on her show, “Heroes.”
“Well, I met her back in her 20s on ‘Heroes,’ and then I met her again on this film… we reunited,” Chatwin began. “And she’s just got one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I’ve worked with. And she’s super sweet. But I noticed the difference in… yeah. Life had taken a toll on her and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents.”
Chatwin continued, “At the end of the day, you go home from a warm fun movie set where everyone’s telling you you’re great and you’re alone in your house and you still got to order your coffee and eat your dinner and it’s a really lonely career, but on set she was super fun.”
“And I really loved having deep conversations with her,” he concluded.
Panettiere starred opposite Chatwin in the 2026 psychological thriller “Sleepwalker,” which followed a woman plagued by disturbing dreams and mysterious sleep episodes.
“Sleepwalker” marked Panettiere’s final movie role.
Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.
Posted by Janelle Ash
5 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere said she was a ‘work in progress’ in final magazine feature before death at 36
Hayden Panettiere in 2010. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere spoke about where she felt she was at in her life in her last magazine feature, published in July 2026.
Speaking to Mome, Panettiere told the magazine that she doesn’t “declare herself fixed.”
“I’m a work in progress — we all are. I take each day as it comes. I’m doing the work, and I’m doing my best,” she said.
The “Bring It On” icon explained that taking care of herself now looks like “setting boundaries, learning not to people-please, journaling, keeping close the people who make her feel safe,” the magazine stated.
“A good book and a tea are also nice,” Panettiere added.
Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.
Posted by Janelle Ash
6 hours ago
Mischa Barton honors Hayden Panettiere after ‘profoundly heartbreaking’ death
A photo of Mischa Barton. (Getty Images)
Actress Mischa Barton is honoring Hayden Panettiere after her sudden death.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barton said, “I am heartbroken by the news of Hayden’s passing. Hayden spoke candidly about her struggles with depression, something no one deserves to endure.”
Panettiere and Barton starred together in the 2026 psychological thriller, “Sleepwalker,” which released in January.
“Her passing at such a young age, with so much life still ahead of her, is profoundly heartbreaking,” Barton concluded.
Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36.
Posted by Janelle Ash
6 hours ago
‘Heroes’ actor Masi Oka remembers ‘privilege’ of working with Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere and Masi Oka (Getty Images)
Masi Oka was “absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden,” he wrote in an X post shared Monday.
Panettiere and Oka worked together on “Heroes,” where she played Claire Bennet and he portrayed Hiro Nakamura. The actress died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. She was 36.
“I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her,” Oka wrote.
“She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon…”
He added, “My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden.”
Panettiere’s breakout role came in NBC’s superhero drama “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010. She played a high school cheerleader with the power to rapidly heal from nearly any injury.
“I think ‘Heroes’ is really hot because it’s just a really great combination of everything that people love,” she told The Associated Press in 2008. “They love reality, they love sci-fi and then things like ‘X-Men’ where they get to, you know, dream of something bigger. And at the core of it are these human stories that people just can relate to.”
Posted by Tracy Wright
6 hours ago
Connie Britton remembers ‘Nashville’ co-star Hayden Panettiere: ‘Just heartbreak’
Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s “Nashville” co-star, Connie Britton, honored the late actress with a carousel of images shared Monday on social media.
“This was Hayden,” Britton wrote on Instagram. “Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak.”
She added, “I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”
Britton portrayed country legend Rayna Jaymes on the musical drama while Panettiere played rising young star and rival Juliette Barnes.
Panettiere died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36.
Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances in the preliminary investigation. A cause of death has not been released.
Posted by Tracy Wright
6 hours ago
Alexa Penavega grieves the loss of Hayden Panettiere: ‘My heart is heavy’
Hayden Panettiere (Getty Images)
Alexa Penavega penned a heartfelt tribute to Hayden Panettiere, while also mourning the loss of fellow actors Michelle Trachtenberg and Daveigh Chase.
“Hayden, Michelle, Daveigh… my heart is heavy today,” she shared on social media Monday.
“These aren’t just names from my childhood. They’re girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. We were kids navigating something so big, and not everyone had the foundation or support they deserved.”
She added, “Today, I’m grieving and holding their families close in my prayers and thinking of everyone still fighting battles we can’t see. Hug your people close today.”
Panettiere’s rep confirmed her death Sunday to Fox News Digital. Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately known. She was 36.
Former child star Michelle Trachtenberg died in February 2025 from complications of diabetes mellitus. Her manner of death was determined to be natural.
“Lilo & Stitch” actress Daveigh Chase died in June. She was 35.
Her official cause of death was from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office. Chronic polysubstance use was listed as a significant condition that contributed to her death.
Alexa Penavega/Instagram
Posted by Tracy Wright
7 hours ago
Fans mourn Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg as ‘Ice Princess’ memories resurface
Hayden Panettiere and Michelle Trachtenberg starred in Disney’s “Ice Princess.” (Getty Images)
Fans mourned Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36, just over a year after losing her “Ice Princess” co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. The two actresses helped define a generation of early-2000s moviegoers, and their deaths left longtime fans grieving both stars.
Trachtenberg played Casey Carlyle, a high school student whose physics project leads her to pursue competitive figure skating. Panettiere portrayed Gen Harwood, a driven champion skater who initially competed against Casey before the two developed a friendship.
“what do you mean both my ice princesses are gone?” a social media user wrote over a clip from the Disney film on TikTok. The clip had amassed nearly 300 comments from fans reminiscing on the film.
“I just want to be a little girl watching this in my parents living room for the first time again for one day,” one user commented.
“They will both live on every single Christmas in my house until the day I die,” one added.
“They reunited in heaven,” another user said, adding a heart emoji.
Trachtenberg was found dead inside a New York City apartment in February 2025. She was 39 years old. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed to Fox News Digital that she died naturally of complications from diabetes mellitus, citing lab results.
The actress was best known for playing Dawn Summers on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl.” She also starred as the title character in the 1996 film “Harriet the Spy” and appeared in movies including “Ice Princess,” “EuroTrip” and “17 Again.”
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
7 hours ago
Alyson Stoner mourns loss of Hayden Panettiere with ‘Kingdom Hearts’ community
Hayden Panettiere for ‘Kingdom Hearts’/Getty Images
Alyson Stoner was overcome with emotion in a tribute to Hayden Panettiere shared on social media Monday.
Stoner – who voiced the role of Kairi from the “Kingdom Hearts” series after Panettiere’s two-season debut – asked for “grace” as she remembered the late actress who died Sunday.
“Hey, this is very raw, it’s very messy, please give me some grace. I wanted to acknowledge Hayden’s passing,” Stoner told her Instagram followers in a video.
“I’ve worked with Hayden, I worked with Hayden’s brother Jansen, and from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached.
“Sending so much love to Hayden’s family. I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left and sending lots of love to the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ community too and how we’re sharing in this loss.”
Stoner added, “Take care everyone and … take care of yourselves. Take care of each other.”
Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023, at age 28.
Circumstances surrounding Hayden’s death were not immediately made available. The “Heroes” actress would have turned 37 on Friday.
Posted by Tracy Wright
7 hours ago
From ‘Heroes’ to ‘Scream VI’: Hayden Panettiere’s defining roles
Hayden Panettiere at the “Bug’s Life” premiere. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere began her career at just 11 months old, starring in a toy commercial.
From her soap opera beginnings and early breakout roles holding her own opposite acting legends, Panettiere had an undeniable presence that would lead to starring roles on the small and big screens.
Here are some of her most memorable films and television shows:
“A Bug’s Life” (1998)
Panettiere was no stranger to the industry when she was selected to voice Princess Dot in the Pixar movie, “A Bug’s Life.” Co-director and writer Andrew Stanton had wanted to include a young actress in honor of his newborn daughter.
“Remember the Titans” (2000)
At just 10 years old, Panettiere portrayed Sheryl Yoast in “Remember the Titans.”
“What an incredible time in my life … I was surrounded by the cutest boys. Kate Bosworth was like my big sister,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2023. “If I had wished to go back to any time in my life, it would be going back to ‘Remember the Titans.’”
“Ice Princess” (2005)
Hayden Panettiere starred in Disney’s 2005 coming-of-age film “Ice Princess” as Gen Harwood, a talented and ambitious competitive figure skater. Her character becomes a rival and eventual friend to Casey Carlyle, played by Michelle Trachtenberg, a high-achieving student who discovers a passion for skating.
“Bring It On: All or Nothing” (2006)
Panettiere starred in the 2006 teen comedy “Bring It On: All or Nothing” as Britney Allen, a popular cheerleader who moves to a new neighborhood and must earn a spot on a rival squad.
“I loved the passion that people had for ‘Bring It On.’ When fans would come up who loved that movie, they would freak out — have a physical, visceral reaction to me that I had never seen before,” Panettiere told Entertainment Weekly this year.
“Heroes” (2006-2010)
Panettiere’s breakout role came in NBC’s superhero drama “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010. She played Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with the power to rapidly heal from nearly any injury.
“I think ‘Heroes’ is really hot because it’s just a really great combination of everything that people love,” she told The Associated Press in 2008. “They love reality, they love sci-fi and then things like ‘X-Men’ where they get to, you know, dream of something bigger. And at the core of it are these human stories that people just can relate to.”
“I Love You, Beth Cooper” (2009)
Panettiere starred in the 2009 teen comedy as Beth Cooper, the most popular girl in high school. The film follows valedictorian Denis Cooverman, played by Paul Rust, after he unexpectedly declares his love for Beth during his graduation speech.
“Nashville” (2012-2018)
Playing rising country superstar Juliette Barnes was perhaps her defining role, but she wasn’t even originally envisioned as the series’ main star. Connie Britton’s Rayna was.
“Unfortunately, after the pilot, it was clear that my billing had gone way up. I went from maybe number five in terms of importance to nipping at Connie’s heels,” she wrote in her memoir. “I was deeply uncomfortable with this development.”
“Scream VI” (2023)
Panettiere returned to the horror franchise in “Scream VI,” reprising her role as Kirby Reed from 2011’s “Scream 4.” In the film, Kirby works as an FBI agent investigating a new string of Ghostface killings in New York City. The role marked Panettiere’s return to acting after several years away from the screen.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hayden Panettiere in “Heroes.” (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere in season one of “Nashville.” (Getty Images)
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
7 hours ago
Emma Roberts and Kim Cattrall mourn co-star Hayden Panettiere: ‘Gone far too soon’
Emma Roberts, Kim Cattrall share touching tributes.
Hayden Panettiere’s friends and former co-stars are continuing to honor the late actress following her death at age 36.
Emma Roberts, who starred alongside Panettiere in 2011’s “Scream 4,” remembered her friend on Instagram, sharing throwback photos of the pair together.“Rest in peace my sweet friend,” Roberts wrote. “You are so loved and you will be forever missed.”
Kim Cattrall paid tribute to Panettiere as well. The two starred together in the 2005 Disney film “Ice Princess,” with Cattrall playing the mother of Panettiere’s character, Gen Harwood.
“Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon,” Cattrall wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two from the film.
Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, former co-stars and others who worked with her throughout her decades-long career.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
8 hours ago
Alyssa Milano says Hayden Panettiere’s ‘courage’ shouldn’t get ‘lost in the noise’
Alyssa Milano says Hayden Panettiere’s ‘courage’ shouldn’t get ‘lost in the noise’
Alyssa Milano is remembering Hayden Panettiere for the powerful impact she made off screen.
Following Panettiere’s death at age 36, the “Charmed” alum shared a lengthy Instagram tribute celebrating her friend’s courage, activism and willingness to use her platform to help others.
“I keep coming back to this photograph and thinking about Hayden’s courage,” Milano began. “I hope people remember this part of her and that it doesn’t get lost in the noise, the headlines, or the flattening of public figures into story and spectacle.”
“Long before it was common for public figures to speak out, Hayden understood something simple and difficult: visibility is not just something you are given, but something you can give away,” Milano wrote. “And she gave hers, again and again, in service of things larger than herself.”
She also highlighted Panettiere’s willingness to publicly discuss deeply personal matters, including domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery and abuse.
“She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others,” Milano wrote.
“Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere,” she added. “She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen.”
“Hayden was a gifted actor, but that was only part of what she gave us. She used her voice. She showed up. She cared fiercely,” Milano concluded. “I hope that is remembered too, the way she chose to stand in the world when it mattered.”
Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
8 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere claimed she faced career fallout for speaking out about postpartum depression
Hayden Panettiere spoke out about postpartum depression in 2015. (Getty Images)
Before her death at 36, Hayden Panettiere said she faced professional consequences after speaking publicly about postpartum depression.
Panettiere had worked with Neutrogena for a decade when she appeared on “Live with Kelly and Michael” and spoke candidly about her experience. She said the conversation was not planned, but that she chose to be honest when the subject came up.
Panettiere said the brand’s morality clause had long weighed on her, particularly as paparazzi documented nearly every aspect of her life from her teenage years onward. She recalled being photographed smoking, criticized for her outfits and subjected to cruel body-shaming commentary in tabloids.
According to Panettiere, she was shocked to learn that the skincare company wanted to end their relationship because of her comments on postpartum depression. She said her representative raised concerns about the decision, but she believed her contract would not be renewed.
“I knew that that was going to be it,” she said during an appearance on “On Purpose With Jay Shetty.”“That I was not going to be invited back the next year.”
Panettiere said the experience was particularly painful because she had been associated with Neutrogena for 10 years and did not hear from those she had worked with after the partnership ended.
“I remember not hearing a word from anybody,” she said. “Not a ‘great working with you for 10 years,’ not a ‘hope you’re okay.’”
The “Heroes” actress told Shetty that the situation revealed the stigma she believed still surrounded postpartum depression.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
8 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere’s friend reveals the final text she sent him before her death
Hayden Panettiere’s friend reveals the final text she sent him before her death.
Hayden Panettiere’s friend, musician Clayton Johnson shared an emotional Instagram tribute Monday, posting a video of himself and Panettiere singing together as he played guitar. He also revealed the final message he received from the “Nashville” star.
“It’s been a couple of weeks since our last phone call, but the last thing you ever texted me was, ‘Honestly, people think it’s a joke to ask for world peace, but that would be me,’” Johnson wrote. “That was you in a nutshell.”
“Sweet Hayden. I spent last night trying to process, to try to find the right words, but there really aren’t any,” he added, saying he hoped Panettiere was “at peace now and reunited with Jansen,” her younger brother, who died in 2023.
Johnson ended his tribute by sharing his gratitude for their friendship, writing, “I’m grateful I got to know you, and I’ll always be grateful for the memories. Fly high, Hayden.”
Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
9 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere on the promise she and Wladimir Klitschko kept for their daughter
Hayden Panettiere shared a daughter with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere spoke about the promise she and former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko made while co-parenting their daughter, Kaya, months before her death.
Panettiere said the former couple remained close friends and shared a deep respect for one another, despite ending their romantic relationship.
“We have a great relationship, and Vlad and I are still best friends,” she said during an appearance Jay Shetty’s podcast, “On Purpose.” “There’s not many people who know me in this world as well as he does.”
The actress explained that their approach to co-parenting was shaped by painful memories from her own childhood. Panettiere said she grew up hearing negative comments from her mother about her father, something she found deeply hurtful.
“We made a promise to each other that we would never say anything negative about one another to our daughter,” Panettiere told the podcast host.
She said they both kept that promise, choosing instead to speak positively about each other with Kaya. Panettiere said she made sure their daughter knew how much she loved her father and understood that Klitschko was someone she admired.
“We talk each other up to our daughter,” Panettiere said. “She knows he is a hero and one of the bravest people I know.”
Panettiere and Klitschko welcomed Kaya in 2014. They called it quits in 2018 and the “Nashville” actress gave full custody of her daughter to her former fiancé.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
9 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere’s good friend says she was supposed to pick up actress from airport on Monday
Hayden Panettiere’s good friend said she was scheduled to pick up the actress from John Wayne Airport on Monday morning.
Hayden Panettiere’s good friend is mourning the actress with an emotional tribute following her death at age 36.
In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Panettiere’s friend, Chelsea Rashoff, revealed she had been expecting to see the “Nashville” star, sharing a photo of her calendar that showed she was supposed to pick Panettiere up from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9 a.m. Monday.
“My beautiful friend. I just needed you to get to me and I know you would have been okay,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m sitting here without words other than no no no this isn’t real. I keep hoping I’ll wake up from a dream.”
“I wish I could hold you and tell you it will all be okay, but I’m glad you are finally with Jansen now,” she continued. “I love you with my whole heart I miss you so much this doesn’t feel real.”
Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28.
Hayden died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
9 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere’s last Instagram post celebrated ‘good times and good friends’
Hayden Panettiere’s final Instagram post was shared July 27. (Instagram: Hayden Panettiere)
Hayden Panettiere’s final Instagram post, shared July 27, has taken on new meaning following her death at age 36.
The “Ice Princess” actress posted a black-and-white photo of herself posing alongside friend Randall Slavin. Panettiere stuck out her tongue as Slavin draped an arm around her in the candid snapshot.
“Good times and good friends,” Panettiere captioned the post.
Slavin responded in the comments, writing, “Love this. Good times babe. Xxx.”
The photo was shared less than three weeks before Panettiere died on Aug. 16. Authorities have said the cause and manner of her death remain under investigation.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
9 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere reflected on giving herself ‘grace’ just months before her tragic death
Hayden Panettiere previously opened up to Fox News Digital about giving herself “grace.”
Months before her death, Hayden Panettiere opened up about how her definition of success had changed after spending decades in the entertainment industry.
In January, Panettiere – who was promoting her film “Sleepwalker” at the time – said success had become less about perfection and more about enjoying her work.
“It’s become more important to me to have a positive experience and feel good about my job and what I’ve done, what I have accomplished,” Panettiere told Fox News Digital.
“I stopped being such a perfectionist and nitpicking at myself,” Panettiere continued. “I’m much better at giving myself grace, I think, and therefore get to enjoy my job more than I ever did before.”
When asked what she wished adults in the industry had protected her from as a young star, Panettiere pointed to criticism and the importance of learning to accept herself.
“I think encouraging me to love myself more and love myself with my flaws and all,” she said. “It’s not about how many times you fall down or how you fall, it’s about how you handle it afterwards, how you pick yourself up and dust yourself off and carry on.”
Panettiere died Sunday, Aug. 16, at age 36. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this post.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
10 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere recalled ‘dangerous’ paparazzi attention after ‘Heroes’ shot her to fame
The cast of “Heroes” in 2007. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere recalled the intense paparazzi attention she faced after “Heroes” changed her level of fame at just 16.
Panettiere said the attention initially seemed exciting, but quickly became invasive and dangerous.
“It went from something that was kind of cool to something that was incredibly dangerous and incredibly invasive,” she said during an appearance on “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” before her death. “Not just for me, but for the people around me.”
The “Nashville” star said she became fiercely protective of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, and her loved ones as photographers increasingly followed her. Panettiere recalled paparazzi allegedly boxing her in while she was driving and using confrontational tactics to provoke a reaction. In one incident, she said she left a store to find more than 100 photographers waiting outside.
“I just felt this kick on the back of my leg,” she said. “And I realized, when I turned around, they had a camera in my face and I realized that they were trying to get a reaction out of me.”
She said a publicist had prepared her for the scrutiny as “Heroes” was about to change her life, advising her to keep her facial expressions neutral around photographers. Still, Panettiere said she was shocked by the lengths people went to in pursuit of a photo.
“The things that they would say to me at such a young age were appalling,” she recalled. “They were truly just mind blowing and shocking. It was just wildly dangerous.”
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
10 hours ago
Gayle King says Hayden Panettiere was ‘clearly still struggling’ months before her death
Gayle King said Hayden Panettiere was “clearly still struggling” during their interview in May.
Despite Hayden Panettiere saying she was in a “good place” during an off-camera conversation with “CBS Mornings” anchor Gayle King in May, King says the actress was still facing challenges.
During Monday’s episode of “CBS Mornings,” King reflected on her final interview with Panettiere, which she conducted in May, and said it was apparent the actress was “clearly still struggling.”
“When she was here in the studio that day, and I was talking to her off-camera, she was saying she felt that she was in a good place,” the anchor shared.
King recalled Panettiere saying that “her daughter meant everything to her, and giving up [custody of] her daughter to her dad was one of the hardest things, but she thought that was what was best for her daughter.”
“But she was still, clearly still struggling. To wake up to hear this news was really tough,” King added. “She was so good. She would’ve turned 37 on Friday.”
Panettiere sat down with King on “CBS Mornings” in May while promoting her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” During the deeply personal conversation, the “Nashville” star discussed her history with addiction, postpartum depression and some of the most difficult periods of her life.
Panettiere’s official cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Preliminary autopsy results found “no signs of trauma” that contributed to her death, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
10 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere was days away from her 37th birthday before shocking death
Hayden Panettiere would have been 37 on Friday, Aug. 21. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere would have celebrated her 37th birthday on Friday, Aug. 21, just days after her death.
The “Heroes” and “Nashville” actress was found unresponsive at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, shortly before 2 p.m. on Aug. 16, police said. Emergency personnel performed lifesaving measures, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances in the preliminary investigation. A cause of death has not been released.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy as the investigation continues.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
11 hours ago
Officials release preliminary autopsy findings in Hayden Panettiere’s death
Hayden Panettiere died Aug. 16. (Getty Images)
Preliminary autopsy results in the death of Hayden Panettiere found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital can confirm.
“First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. “EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department launched parallel investigations into her death.
“At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the coroner’s statement continued. “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.“
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
11 hours ago
Who was Hayden Panettiere dating?
Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson attend the actress’ brother’s funeral in 2023. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere had an on-again, off-again relationship with Brian Hickerson in the years before her death at 36.
He reportedly traveled with the actress from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex on Aug. 16, according to TMZ. The two broke up briefly in 2022, but rekindled their romance the following year. It’s unclear what the status of their relationship was at the time of Panettiere’s death.
The former couple’s relationship was marked by highly public legal troubles. Hickerson was charged with domestic violence in 2019. He was arrested again in 2020 on domestic violence charges, including felony charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant.
In 2021, he was sentenced after pleading no contest to charges connected to the domestic violence involving Panettiere.
Panettiere publicly addressed the allegations following Hickerson’s arrest, saying she hoped sharing her story would help others in abusive relationships.
“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she said in a statement, according to People magazine. “I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”
Panettiere and Hickerson reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018 shortly after her split from Wladimir Klitschko. Hickerson, who is from South Carolina, worked in real estate before pursuing acting and had a small role in the 2017 thriller “M.F.A.”
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
11 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere revealed doctor’s dire warning about her drinking: ‘I’d be dead within five years’
Hayden Panettiere was open about her struggles with alcohol and addiction. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere revealed the frightening toll alcohol had taken on her body, including a stark warning from a doctor that she could die within five years if she didn’t stop drinking.
In 2020, the actress entered treatment for what became an eight-month stay. In her memoir, she detailed the painful withdrawal symptoms she experienced as her body adjusted to sobriety.
“As my nervous system tried to regulate itself without the depressant effects of alcohol, it went into overdrive, and my whole body shook,” she wrote. “I couldn’t sleep, and my head pounded like it was pressing against my skull.”
Panettiere revealed she had previously developed jaundice and received an alarming warning from a doctor.
“At least my eyes aren’t yellow, I told myself,” she wrote. “A doctor told me that if I didn’t stop drinking, I’d be dead within five years.”
Panettiere told Fox News Digital in July that she knew at the time she had to get help.
“[I had to] do it for myself,” Panettiere said. “I knew I was no good in the condition that I was in.”
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
11 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere reflected on painful custody decision before her death
Hayden Panettiere shared a child with former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko. (Getty Images)
Before her death at 36, Hayden Panettiere spoke openly about the painful decision to transfer custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2018.
Panettiere said she made the decision because she knew she was in a difficult place personally and wanted to shield Kaya from its effects.
“I just knew that if I wanted to… I knew how bad a place I was in,” the actress told Fox News Digital in July. “I hid it from my daughter as much as I could.”
Panettiere said Kaya’s support system in Europe reassured her that the decision was right for her daughter. She also worried that a public custody dispute involving two well-known parents could be damaging.
“When I saw her in the environment over there (in Europe) and the support system that she had, I said to myself, ‘If I fight, if I go to war about this, it’s going to permanently damage my child. It’s going to be incredibly public. She’s got two very famous parents, and it’s going to be ugly.’”
Panettiere said she chose to let Kaya remain in Europe with Klitschko, where she believed her daughter was safe, loved and well cared for.
“I said, ‘You know what? Let her grow up here,’” she said. “I will travel here as much as I can. I know she’s safe. I know she’s well taken care of — beyond well taken care of. She has an incredible life. And I also knew that there would be a day when she would come back to me.”
The actress also acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, saying she struggled to process the pain at the time.
“I tried to numb myself,” the “Nashville” star admitted. “It was very hard to wrap my mind around the pain, the emotional pain of that. But you keep putting one foot in front of the other somehow.”
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
11 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere recalled being given a ‘happy pill’ at 16, questioned who was ‘protecting’ her
Panettiere, pictured at the “Heroes” premiere in 2007, previously told Fox News Digital that a former representative handed her a “happy pill” ahead of her red carpet appearance when she was 16 years old.
Hayden Panettiere told Fox News Digital in July about a troubling experience from her teenage years, recalling being given what she was told was a “happy pill” before walking a red carpet for “Heroes.”
“I was standing on the side of the red carpet about to go on and do the line of interviews for ‘Heroes,’” Panettiere recalled. She said the person, whom she identified in her book as a former rep, opened her hand and told her, “‘Take this. It’s a happy pill. It’ll make you feel amazing and energetic and it’ll make the interviews so much easier.’”
Panettiere said she was just 16 or 17 at the time and trusted the person because she believed it was their job to protect her.
“So, I just, without thinking, popped it in my mouth,” she said, adding that she later learned it was “some sort of amphetamine.”
Looking back, Panettiere questioned how such a moment had been allowed to happen.
“I can’t believe that happened. What a wild and inappropriate thing to happen,” she said. “Where were the people who were supposed to protect me?”
Panettiere stressed that she did not consider herself addicted at that point in her life, saying her struggle with addiction came later, after the birth of her daughter.
“That’s when I was like, when you wake up in the morning and the first thing you’re thinking about is having a drink,” she said. “It’s a problem.”
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
12 hours ago
From child commercials to ‘Heroes’: Hayden Panettiere’s career beginnings
Hayden Panettiere appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 1996. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s Hollywood career began remarkably early.
Long before she became known for starring in “Nashville,” Panettiere appeared in television commercials as an infant. She was just 11 months old when she began working, launching a career that would take her from daytime television to major network dramas and films.
By about age four, Panettiere had landed a role on the soap opera “One Life to Live,” playing Sarah Roberts. She later joined the cast of “Guiding Light” as Lizzie Spaulding, building an early résumé while growing up in the public eye.
Panettiere’s breakthrough came in 2006, when she was cast as Claire Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes.” Her character quickly became one of the series’ most recognizable figures.
Panettiere also appeared in films including “Remember the Titans,” “Bring It On: All or Nothing,”“I Love You, Beth Cooper” and the “Scream” franchise.
Her career spanned more than three decades and made her one of the most recognizable performers of her generation.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
12 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere said ‘Nashville’ forced her to live through addiction twice
Hayden Panettiere’s role as Juliette in “Nashville” mirrored her own life and personal struggles with addiction. (Getty Images)
Before her death at 36, Hayden Panettiere reflected candidly on the difficult overlap between her personal life and her role as Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.”
Panettiere wrote in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” that the character’s struggles began to mirror her own during much of the show’s fourth season.
“During the better part of season four, my personal problems were writing the script. Juliette Barnes had postpartum depression, an alcohol and pill problem, and a divorce on the horizon. She was erratic, an absentee mother, and fought with everyone — including her fans,” she explained.
“Every time I read the day’s script, it was like I was looking in a funhouse mirror, seeing a distorted reflection of myself. I can’t tell you how lost this made me feel.”
Panettiere explained that, on earlier projects, she could separate herself from the characters she played. But while filming “Nashville,” she said that boundary disappeared, leaving her without the sense of escape that acting had once provided.
“I dove headfirst into my own hell,” she wrote. “I was suffering from debilitating anxiety and an addiction I couldn’t shake, and I had to live through it twice. First at home as Hayden, and then in front of millions, as Juliette.”
Her reflections on Juliette’s storyline offered a personal look at the challenges she faced both on and off screen.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
12 hours ago
Inside the emergency response following Hayden Panettiere’s death
A fire truck and multiple ambulances are seen outside the Greenville residence where Hayden Panettiere died Sunday. (TMZ)
Emergency vehicles were photographed outside the Greenville, South Carolina, residence where actress Hayden Panettiere died Sunday at age 36.
One image, obtained by TMZ, showed a fire truck parked near the property alongside multiple ambulances. Another showed a Greenville County Coroner’s Office vehicle at the scene.
Police said officers and emergency medical personnel were dispatched shortly before 2 p.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman at Judson Mill Lofts. A preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to authorities.
Panettiere, known for her roles in “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was pronounced dead at the scene. Her cause of death has not yet been released.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Greenville County Coroner’s Office vehicle arrives at the scene following the death of Hayden Panettiere. (TMZ)
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
12 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere dies at 36, three years after tragic death of younger brother Jansen
Hayden Panettiere poses with her mom and brother Jansen. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere mourned the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, three years ago. Jansen died at age 28.
Jansen’s family remembered him as a deeply creative and compassionate person whose presence left a lasting impression on those around him in a statement shared with Fox News Digital at the time.
“Jansen’s heart could be seen in his eyes, and his charm in his brilliant, engaging smile; his soul in his masterful and revealing paintings, and the joy of life in his dry wit,” the family said.
They added, “His charisma, warmth, compassion for others, and his creative spirit will live forever in our hearts and in the hearts of all whom he encountered.”
The family said the medical examiner determined that Jansen’s sudden death was caused by cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, along with complications involving the aortic valve. It is not known whether the condition had been diagnosed before his death.
Jansen, like his older sister, worked as an actor, appearing in projects including “The Perfect Game,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown” and “The Walking Dead.”
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
13 hours ago
Kelly Osbourne says Hayden Panettiere ‘deserved better’ as ‘Heroes’ costars pay tribute
Kelly Osbourne reacted to Panettiere’s death on Instagram.
More of Hayden Panettiere’s friends and former co-stars are sharing emotional tributes, remembering her kindness, compassion and the impact she had on their lives.
Kelly Osbourne shared a deeply personal tribute, speaking about the bond the two shared through their experiences growing up in the public eye.
“We understood each other in a way few truly can — recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people,” Osbourne wrote on her Instagram Stories.
“My heart grieves for someone so special to this world and such a good friend to me,” she continued. “I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better.”
Osbourne concluded her tribute: “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.
Dania Ramirez, who starred alongside Hayden on “Heroes,” reflected on the love and energy she says Hayden brought to those around her.
“My heart aches so much right now. I love you and will always miss you,” Ramirez shared on Instagram. “I take comfort in knowing that I am with you in life and in death because your love and energy has always transcended this dimension.”
Ramirez also sent her thoughts to Hayden’s daughter and loved ones, adding, “I know that the ones that got to feel your gifts will forever feel blessed and grateful for you.”
Fellow “Heroes” co-star James Kyson recalled first meeting Hayden when she was just 16, describing her as a veteran actor with a “bright spirit” and an “older soul.”
Kyson remembered Hayden as “a fierce protector of animal rights” and a “‘cheerleader’ for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly.”
“May your soul Rest in Peace Hayden… and my deepest condolences & prayers for her family,” he wrote on Instagram. “Life can be so short… let’s send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today.”
Posted by Christina Dugan Ramirez
13 hours ago
Why Hayden Panettiere was especially protective of child actors on set
Hayden Panettiere starred in “Sleepwalker,” which premiered in January. (Getty Images)
Hayden Panettiere’s own experiences growing up in Hollywood made her especially protective of child actors she then worked with on set.
“Having been one myself, I’m very, very protective of them,” Panettiere told MovieFone back in January while promoting her film “Sleepwalker.” For the film, Panettiere portrayed a grieving mother who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter.
“Especially with a dark subject matter like this, I was trying to be protective of them, their emotions, and them mentally, as well, and being able to pull them in and out of these dark, intense scenes.”
That care extended beyond the most intense moments on set.
“Knowing when to shake it off, lighten up, crack some jokes and say, ‘OK. Now, let’s get back into it.’ So, we don’t have to spend all day feeling this heavy, dark weight following us around,” she said. “I love them. They’re just so pure. They’re so energetic. They’re so honest. They’re so real and untainted, and they’re beautiful.”
Panettiere entered show business extraordinarily young, appearing in commercials as a baby before landing a role on “One Life to Live” at about 4 years old.
Panettiere’s major breakthrough came as Claire Bennet, the seemingly indestructible cheerleader at the center of NBC’s superhero drama “Heroes,” which ran from 2006 to 2010. She followed that success with another defining television role, country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville” from 2012 to 2018.
Posted by Lauryn Overhultz
13 hours ago
Police say no signs of foul play in Hayden Panettiere’s death
Hayden Panettiere appears at the world premiere of “Scream VI” in New York on March 6, 2023. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
A preliminary investigation into the death of Hayden Panettiere has found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, according to police.
Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at the Judson Mill Lofts in Greenville, South Carolina, shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.
Life-saving measures were performed, but Panettiere was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement.
Police said an acquaintance of the 36-year-old actress called 911 from the apartment complex.
No cause of death has been provided.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office was expected to perform an autopsy.
Greenville police and the coroner’s office are continuing to investigate the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Stephen Sorace
14 hours ago
Rosie O’Donnell, Selma Blair and more react to Hayden Panettiere’s death: ‘Heartbroken’
Hayden Panettiere arrives at the premiere of “Blonde,” on Sept. 13, 2022, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Hollywood stars and other celebrities are mourning Hayden Panettiere following the actress’ death at age 36.
Rosie O’Donnell shared her shock in a brief Instagram reaction, writing, “Oh my god — heartbroken.”
Selma Blair posted an emotional message of disbelief.
“I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please,” Blair wrote on Instagram.
Podcaster Jay Shetty reflected on a friendship with Panettiere that he said had only recently begun.
“I can’t believe it,” Shetty wrote. “Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans.”
Actors David Arquette and Melissa Barrera also shared brief tributes. Arquette wrote, “I love you Hayden,” while Barrera remembered the actress on her Instagram story, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Posted by Stephen Sorace
15 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere revealed plans for future one month before her death at 36
Hayden Panettiere is seen on May 19, 2026, in New York City. (Raymond Hall/GC Images)
One month before her death at age 36, Hayden Panettiere told Fox News Digital she was looking toward the future and had a long list of things she still hoped to accomplish.
“I have a laundry list of things I would love to accomplish and create,” Panettiere told Fox News Digital during an interview about her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
The “Heroes” and “Nashville” actress said at the time that she was “doing great” after years of struggles she chronicled in her memoir.
“I feel connected to myself,” she told Fox News Digital. “I feel like I’m taking good care of myself, checking in with myself.”
Panettiere had been candid both in her memoir and during the interview about addiction, treatment, postpartum depression and the painful decision to have her daughter, Kaya, live with her father, Wladimir Klitschko.
But while discussing where she was in her life last month, Panettiere struck an optimistic note.
“I feel more connected with myself than I ever have before,” she told Fox News Digital.
Panettiere also teased that she’s been busy working on a potential new project.
“I have a show that I’ve been working on and I would love to create that,” she said. “I would love to direct. I just want to share my secrets, my tricks, the things that I’ve learned in life and help others be their best selves.”
In May, Panettiere told Jay Shetty during an appearance on his podcast that she felt like she had moved past the “darkness” that had defined much of her life.
“I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity,” Panettiere said. “That means that I’ve closed one door and another door is opened … I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.”
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.
Posted by Stephen Sorace
15 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere spoke about bond with daughter Kaya in interview before her death
Hayden Panettiere arrives at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Just one month before her death at 36, Hayden Panettiere spoke candidly to Fox News Digital about her relationship with her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, and why she believed allowing her to live with her father was the right decision.
“I felt like I made the right call,” Panettiere told Fox News Digital during the interview. “I’ve seen who she is and she’s an incredible human being. Something must have gone right.”
Panettiere, who shared Kaya with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, said she remained close with her daughter despite the distance between them.
“I travel a lot to Europe, and I spend a lot of time on FaceTime with her,” Panettiere told Fox News Digital. “And Wlad and I have a good relationship.”
As Kaya grew older, Panettiere said she saw more of herself in her daughter.
“She’s 11 now, so time is flying,” she told Fox News Digital. “I feel like she’s becoming more and more curious about me, my life and who I am. We’re so similar. She is me. I understand her in a way that nobody else can.”
In her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” Panettiere described living apart from Kaya as “the most gut-wrenching experience of my life,” but wrote that she knew how “blessed” she was to be her mother.
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.
Posted by Stephen Sorace
16 hours ago
‘One Tree Hill’ star Bethany Joy Lenz ‘crushed’ by Hayden Panettiere’s death
Hayden Panettiere and Bethany Joy Lenz during Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 at Bryant Park in New York City on Feb. 8, 2005. (Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage)
“One Tree Hill” actress Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Hayden Panettiere, recalling knowing the actress since childhood and expressing disbelief over her death at 36.
“I’m crushed,” Lenz wrote on Instagram. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen.”
Lenz recalled Panettiere running through the halls of Screen Gems studios as a child, describing her as remarkably perceptive and talented even at a young age.
“Her intelligence was astonishing,” Lenz wrote. “She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera.”
The actress said she and Panettiere remained connected on and off for nearly three decades, comparing their relationship to cousins who would reconnect at family reunions. Although the two repeatedly made plans to get together, Lenz said those meetings never quite happened and she largely kept up with Panettiere through mutual friends.
“I dont understand how this is real,” Lenz wrote. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life.”
Lenz also expressed regret over the times she did not reach out and shared her heartbreak for Panettiere’s daughter.
“These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years,” she wrote alongside photos of them over the years. “I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”
Posted by Stephen Sorace
17 hours ago
Viola Davis remembers Hayden Panettiere as ‘amazing talent’ and ‘beautiful Phoenix’
Actors Anthony LaPaglia, Hayden Panettiere and Viola Davis attend “The Architect” premiere dinner at Sosa Borella on May 2, 2006, in New York City. (Evan Agostini/Getty Images for TFF)
Viola Davis paid tribute to her former co-star Hayden Panettiere, remembering the late actress as an “amazing talent” with a “deep heart.”
Davis shared the emotional message on Instagram after Panettiere’s death at age 36. Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama “Custody.”
“What an amazing talent you were….so gifted,” Davis wrote. “Julius and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart.”
The Oscar-winning actress reflected on Panettiere’s life and legacy, writing that she wished “the world had more time” with her.
“I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes,” Davis wrote. “Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered.”
Davis concluded by sending “healing prayers” to Panettiere’s family, daughter and loved ones, adding, “Rest well, Hayden. … May they always speak your name.”
Posted by Stephen Sorace
17 hours ago
Hayden Panettiere dead at 36
Hayden Panettiere attends a premiere for the film Blonde at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on Sept. 13, 2022. (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)
“Nashville” actress Hayden Panettiere died, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36.
Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately made available.
“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 rep said in a statement provided to ABC News.
The New York native began acting at a young age and was cast in “One Life to Live” when she was 4 years old. She found fame with a starring role alongside Denzel Washington in the 2000 classic, “Remember the Titans.”
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright.
Posted by Tracy Wright
