American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died at the age of 36.

Her representative confirmed her death on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere, also confirmed the news in a statement shared with the media. No cause of death has been announced.

Panettiere’s death came just days before her 37th birthday, which would have been celebrated on August 21. News of her passing has shocked fans who followed her career from childhood into adulthood.

Panettiere began acting as a child and went on to build a successful career in both television and film.

She gained worldwide recognition after playing Claire Bennet in the NBC science fiction series Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010.

Her character was a high school cheerleader with the ability to heal herself, making Panettiere one of the most recognizable young stars on television at the time.

She later took on another major role as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama Nashville. Her performance earned her two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a television series.

Her film credits included Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, Scream 4 and Scream VI. She also lent her voice to the animated film A Bug’s Life and appeared in several other television and film projects.

Following her death, Panettiere’s father paid tribute to his daughter, describing her as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought love and joy to those around her.

He also acknowledged the millions of people who watched her work on screen over the years. The family has asked for privacy as they mourn her death.

Panettiere had recently returned to the public spotlight after releasing her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in May 2026. In the book, she reflected on her childhood fame, personal struggles and experiences in Hollywood.

Her final years also saw her speak more openly about the challenges she had faced throughout her life, while using her story to encourage conversations about difficult personal experiences.

With her death at just 36, Panettiere leaves behind a career that began in childhood and included some of television’s most memorable roles of the 2000s and 2010s.

Her performances as Claire Bennet and Juliette Barnes helped make her a familiar face to audiences around the world, while her work in film further established her as a versatile actress.

Her legacy will now be remembered by fans who watched her grow from a child performer into one of Hollywood’s recognizable television stars.