In pictures: Hayden Panettiere's life and career, from child actor to Scream star
US actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville', has died at the age of 36. The article provides a retrospective of her career, which began in childhood and spanned several decades in television and film.
Why it matters
As a prominent figure in popular culture, her passing marks the end of a significant career for a generation of television viewers.
Image source, Getty Images Published 17 August 2026, 10:05 BST Updated 1 hour ago US actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in TV series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
Her father Skip described her as an "incredible light and a force of nature" in a statement announcing her passing.
Panettiere's career spanned three decades with a string of roles in other hit TV shows and films, including the Scream horror film franchise and romantic comedy Raising Helen.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Panettiere with her parents and younger brother in 2007
Born in August 1989, Panettiere was raised in Palisades, New York, by parents Lesley Vogel, an actress and producer, and Skip, a former firefighter.
She had one brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died aged 28 in 2023.
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