'Nashville’ Star, Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, her representative confirmed to ABC News on Sunday.

Panettiere was best known for playing Claire Bennet in the television series “Heroes” and Juliette Barnes in “Nashville.”

She also appeared in films including Remember the Titans and the Scream franchise.

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Her father, Skip Panettiere, described her as an “incredible light” and a “force of nature” in a statement provided to ABC News.

“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,” he said.

'Nashville’ Star Hayden Panettiere Dies At 36 (NewsCentral TV) — Hayden Panettiere. Credit: Vanity Fair.

Further details about the circumstances of her death have not been released.

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Panettiere began her acting career as a child and rose to international fame through Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010.

She later starred in Nashville from 2012 to 2018.

Her death comes just months after she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May 2026.

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