American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, with her representative confirming the news. Panettiere, who became known to audiences through both film and television, was remembered for roles in Ice Princess, Heroes and Nashville. Her death was confirmed by her family through her publicist, while the circumstances remain under investigation.
Panettiere gained recognition at a young age and went on to establish herself as a prominent Hollywood performer. Her career included major television roles as well as appearances in films, making her a familiar face to audiences around the world.
One of her notable film appearances came in Disney’s 2005 sports comedy Ice Princess, in which she starred alongside Michelle Trachtenberg. The film became particularly memorable for fans of early-2000s Disney cinema and remains among Panettiere’s recognized film credits.
Panettiere later achieved widespread television fame through Heroes, where she played Claire Bennet, a character with extraordinary regenerative abilities. She also starred as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama series Nashville, a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
Her other major credits included Remember the Titans and the Scream franchise. She also lent her voice to the character Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts video-game series. Her final screen role was in the 2026 psychological thriller Sleepwalker.
The news comes after the death of actress Michelle Trachtenberg, Panettiere’s co-star in Ice Princess, who died in February 2025 at the age of 39. The two actresses had appeared together in the Disney film nearly two decades before Panettiere’s death.
