Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, as well as two instalments of the Scream film franchise, has died, aged 36.
News of her passing was shared by her father Skip Panettiere, who described her as an “incredible light and a force of nature.”
He added in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter: “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. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
The cause of her death was not immediately available.
She began her career as a child actor, and was just four years old when she appeared on US soap opera One Life To Live.
Her breakout role came when you starred as a cheerleader with super powers in Heroes in 2006. She starred on the superhero series for four seasons.
She went on to play Juliette Barnes in Nashville from 2012-18 and then as Kirby Reed in Scream 4 in 2011 and Scream VI in 2023.
Her other credits included Guiding Light, Malcolm In The Middle, The Object Of My Affection, A Bug’s Life and Message In A Bottle and Remember The Titans.
Panettiere’s Scream VI co-star Melissa Barrera was one of the first to pay tribute to the star writing on her Instagram story: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” alongside a broken heart emoji.
Many also left tributes on Panettiere’s final Instagram post in the comments section.
Legally Blonde star Selma Blair, also known for roles in Cruel Intentions and the Hellboy franchise, wrote: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Please.”
Actor Beverley Mitchell, who featured in US television series 7th Heaven, added: “Praying the news is wrong! You are such a bright light and soooo loved”.
Earlier this year, Panettiere released her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she opened up about her experiences with postpartum depression, addiction and recovery and came out as bisexual.
She described herself as being in a “horrible cycle for years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse” while “just trying to find my way back, my way out of the darkness”.
She was previously in a relationship with Ukrainian champion heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko and they had a daughter, daughter, Kaya, in 2014.
Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in February 2023 of aortic valve complications at the age of 28.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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