Hayden Panettiere, Actress from ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ Dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, a well-known American actress famous for her roles in TV shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has passed away at the age of 36. U.S. media reported her death on August 16, 2026, citing a statement from her father. He shared that she was an amazing person who brought joy to everyone around her and millions of fans through her acting.

The cause of her death remains unknown. Her agency has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Hayden began her acting career as a child, gaining recognition for voicing Dot, the young ant princess in Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” She was nominated for a Grammy for her work on the movie’s read-along album.

She became widely known for playing Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader with superpowers, in the TV series “Heroes,” which started in 2006. She also appeared in the 2000 film “Remember the Titans” alongside Denzel Washington.

Hayden earned two Golden Globe nominations for her role as Juliette Barnes in the musical drama “Nashville.” She was also part of the horror franchise “Scream.” Her most recent movie was the psychological thriller “Sleepwalker,” released in January 2026, where she played a grieving mother who struggles with sleepwalking.

Hayden’s brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, passed away in 2023 at age 28 due to heart and valve-related complications.