Lance Joseph Martinez

Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36: Here’s a Look Back at Her Life and Legacy

Article (news)

<p><strong>Hollywood </strong>is mourning the loss of actress<strong> Hayden Panettiere</strong>, who has died at 36, her representative confirmed to<strong> ABC News.</strong></p><p>In a statement shared with the network, Hayden’s representative said, “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.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948049974[image] - 6726051.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @haydenpanettiere</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Following the announcement, fans and fellow celebrities took to Hayden’s latest Instagram post to express their grief and pay tribute to the actress.</p><p>Among those who left messages was actress<strong> Selma Blair</strong>, who wrote, “I love you. Don’t be gone. Don’t be gone. Please. Please.” Meanwhile, <strong>Beverly Mitchell</strong> commented, “Praying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved!!!!”</p><p>As fans and colleagues remember Hayden and mourn her untimely passing, here’s a look back at the life, career, and legacy of the actress who left a lasting mark on Hollywood.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948170080[image] - 6753971.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @haydenpanettiere</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She was only 36 years old.</strong></div><p>Hayden Panettiere was a familiar name among sci-fi and slasher fans, with a career that made her a recognizable presence in Hollywood. Born on August 21, 1989, the actress was 36 at the time of her passing, just five days before her 37th birthday.</p><p>Hayden grew up in Palisades, New York, where she was raised by her parents, <strong>Lesley R. Vogel,</strong><em></em> a former soap opera actress, and<strong> Alan Lee Panettiere,</strong> a former captain with the New York City Fire Department. She was of Italian, German, and English ancestry.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948252876[image] - 87732.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @haydenpanettiere</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, passed away in 2023.</strong></div><p>Hayden’s passing also brings back memories of her younger brother, <strong>Jansen Panettiere</strong>, who is also an actor and <strong></strong>died in 2023 at the age of 28 years old due to aortic valve complications from enlarged heart syndrome.</p><p>Jansen was known for his roles in films<strong><em> The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em> The Perfect Game</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em> The Martial Arts Kid</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em> </em></strong><em></em><em></em>and <em></em><em></em><strong><em>How High 2</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><div><strong></strong><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948202693[image] - 5188094.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Hayden and her younger brother Jansen | Photo from @haydenpanettiere</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She leaves behind her daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko.</strong></div><p>Another heartbreaking aspect of Hayden Panettiere’s passing is that she leaves behind her 11-year-old daughter,<strong> Kaya Evdokia Klitschko</strong>,<strong></strong> whom she shares with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer <strong>Wladimir Klitschko</strong>.<strong></strong></p><p>Kaya has continued to live in Europe with her father, where she has built a stable life. Hayden previously opened up about their close bond, saying on <strong>Jay Shetty’s On Purpos</strong>e podcast, “I have an incredible relationship with her. I go travel as much as I can. I see her. I do spend a lot of time on FaceTime with her, but we talk about really deep things.”</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYMsP2xuiMZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=594&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3557162.5999999996%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>She came out as bisexual at 36.</strong></div><p>In an exclusive interview with<strong> </strong><em>Us Magazine</em><strong></strong>, Hayden opened up about her sexuality, revealing that she is bisexual and has experienced dating women in the past.</p><p>When asked about her attraction to women, Hayden reflected on the challenges she faced in being open about her sexuality, explaining, “I was not encouraged to just be myself. Then came the period where it felt like people coming out, especially women, saying that they were bisexual or liked girls, was a fad. I was afraid that if I was honest, it was going to be like me jumping on the bandwagon. It was a very difficult topic to articulate properly,” she told the magazine in May.</p><p>Panettiere also opened up about why she chose to share this part of herself later in life, adding, “It’s sad I had to wait until I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948451834[image] - 5835993.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @haydenpanettiere</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She was best known for her roles in <em>Heroes</em>, <em>Scream</em>, and <em>Nashville</em>.</strong></div><p>For fans of superhero and slasher stories, Hayden was a familiar and beloved face whose career spanned television, film, and some of the genre’s most recognizable titles.</p><p>After making her acting debut in 1994, Hayden landed her breakthrough as <strong>Claire Bennet in</strong> the hit superhero drama series <strong><em>Heroes</em></strong>. Her character, a high school cheerleader with the extraordinary ability to regenerate, quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable figures. The series’ pilot drew 14.3 million viewers, while its ninth episode reached a season-high 16.03 million viewers.</p><p>Hayden later became part of the <strong><em>Scream </em></strong>franchise, portraying Kirby Reed in<strong><em> Scream 4</em></strong> and the later installment <strong><em>Scream VI. </em></strong>Her character, a horror movie enthusiast and Jill’s best friend, became a fan favorite among the franchise’s longtime viewers.</p><p>Beyond the superhero and horror genres, Hayden also showcased her musical talents as<strong> Juliette Barnes</strong><em></em> in the acclaimed musical drama <strong><em>Nashville</em></strong>. She portrayed the ambitious former teen star and bubblegum country-pop singer determined to establish herself as one of country music’s biggest stars.</p><p>Her other notable credits include the television series <strong><em>Guiding Light</em></strong> and films such as<strong><em> Ice Princess</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em> I Love You, Beth Cooper</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em> </em></strong><em></em><em></em>and <em></em><em></em><strong><em>Bring It On: All or Nothing</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><div><strong></strong><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948896961[image] - 4019580.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Hayden as Kirby Reed for &#x27;Scream VI&#x27; | Photo from @screammovies</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786948959829[image] - 5918587.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @screammovies </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@haydenpanettiere and @screammovies</strong></p>

<p>Just days before her 37th birthday, "Nashville" and "Scream" actress Hayden Panettiere has passed away at 36, leaving fans and Hollywood colleagues mourning the star’s untimely death.</p>

Just days before her 37th birthday, "Nashville" and "Scream" actress Hayden Panettiere has passed away at 36, leaving fans and Hollywood colleagues mourning the star’s untimely death.