Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for playing Claire Bennet in the hit NBC series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
The news was confirmed by her representatives on Sunday. No official cause of death has been released at this time, though her family has asked for privacy as they grieve.
Panettiere rose to global fame in 2006 when Heroes became a cultural phenomenon, making her one of the most recognisable young faces in Hollywood. Her portrayal of the cheerleader with regenerative powers — and the show's iconic tagline 'Save the cheerleader, save the world' — made her a household name overnight.
She went on to star in Nashville, the acclaimed musical drama series, where she played country music star Juliette Barnes from 2012 to 2018. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination and widespread critical praise.
In recent years, Panettiere had spoken candidly about her personal struggles, including postpartum depression and her battle with addiction. She had been open about her journey to recovery and had become an advocate for mental health awareness.
Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began her career as a child actress, appearing in commercials and soap operas before breaking through in film and television. She also appeared in Remember the Titans, Bring It On: All or Nothing, and the Scream franchise.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry. Her Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia wrote on social media: 'There are no words. She was one of the most talented, warm and funny people I have ever known. The world is a lesser place without her.'
Nashville creator Callie Khouri said: 'Hayden brought Juliette to life in a way no one else could have. She was fearless, funny, and deeply committed to every scene. We are heartbroken.'
Hayden Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya, and her family. She was 36 years old.