Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36
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Hayden Panettiere, star of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ dies at 36
The actress died on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (AP)
Hollywood stars are mourning the death of Hayden Panettiere.
Panettiere, known for her roles in “Heroes,” “Nashville” and the “Scream” franchise, died Sunday at 36, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital.
“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,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided to ABC News.

Hayden Panettiere died on Sunday. She was 36. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for amfAR)
Following news of her death, friends, former co-stars and fellow celebrities shared emotional tributes to the actress on social media.
Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 movie “Custody,” remembered the actress as an “amazing talent” and reflected on the time they spent working together.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE: A LIFE IN PICTURES
Davis wrote on Instagram that she and her husband, Julius Tennon, “loved working” with Panettiere, describing her as an “old, wise soul” with a deep heart.

Viola Davis, pictured with Anthony LaPaglia and Hayden Panettiere in 2006, described the late actress as an “old, wise soul.” (Evan Agostini/Getty Images for TFF)
The Oscar winner said she wished the world had been given more time with Panettiere and reflected on watching the actress rebuild her life through difficult periods.
“You will be remembered,” Davis wrote before offering prayers for Panettiere’s family and daughter.
“One Tree Hill” actress Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, recalling that she had known her since childhood and expressing disbelief over her death.

Bethany Joy Lenz said she was “crushed” to hear about the sudden loss of her friend. (WireImage)
“I’m crushed,” Lenz wrote on Instagram. “I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen.”
Lenz recalled Panettiere running through the halls of Screen Gems Studios as a child, describing her as remarkably perceptive and talented even at a young age.
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“I dont understand how this is real,” Lenz wrote. “Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life.”Â
“These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years,” she wrote alongside photos of them over the years. “I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”

Britton and Panettiere worked together on “Nashville.” (Reuters)
Panettiere’s “Nashville” co-star, Connie Britton, shared a carousel of images on Instagram with the late actress.Â
“This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright,” Britton wrote. “I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.”
Alyson Stoner – who voiced the role of Kairi from the “Kingdom Hearts” series after Panettiere’s two-season debut – asked for “grace” as she remembered the late actress.
“Hey, this is very raw, it’s very messy, please give me some grace. I wanted to acknowledge Hayden’s passing,” Stoner told her Instagram followers in a video.
“I’ve worked with Hayden, I worked with Hayden’s brother Jansen, and from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached.
“Sending so much love to Hayden’s family. I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left and sending lots of love to the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ community too and how we’re sharing in this loss.”
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Other celebrities and former co-stars also reacted to Panettiere’s death.
“Scream VI” co-star Melissa Barrera shared a brief tribute on Instagram Stories, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Selma Blair left a series of emotional comments on Panettiere’s final Instagram post, pleading, “Don’t be gone.”

Selma Blair reacted to Panettiere’s death on social media. (Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images)
David Arquette, who appeared with Panettiere in “Scream 4,” also shared his heartbreak, writing on his Instagram Story, “Sending my love to Hayden and her family,” he wrote. “She was such a brave and brilliant soul.”
Rosie O’Donnell shared her shock in a brief Instagram reaction, writing, “Oh my god — heartbroken.”
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Podcaster Jay Shetty reflected on a friendship with Panettiere that he said had only recently begun. “I can’t believe it,” Shetty wrote in a comment on Variety’s Instagram. “Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans.”
“Heartbroken to hear about Hayden’s passing,” Derek Hough, who appeared alongside Panettiere on “Nashville,” wrote on Instagram. “The little time I got to spend with her, she was so sweet, so kind. I’ve always admired her work and the joy she brought people.”
Mario Lopez shared his own tribute on Instagram.Â

Mario Lopez said he was “heartbroken” over Panettiere’s death. (Amy Graves/WireImage)
“Heartbroken over the loss of Hayden. I’ll always remember her warmth & beautiful spirit. Having known her family makes this loss feel especially personal. I’m holding Lesley and Skip close to my heart. Rest peacefully, you will be deeply missed… 🤍”
Her “Nashville” co-star Charles Esten took to Instagram to share a touching tribute.
Esten, who played Deacon Claybourne on the show, wrote: “Patty [Hanson, his wife] and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden.”
Adding: “I will never forget the first time I met her.”
Esten explained that he had just finished his first audition for “Nashville” and was on his way out when he bumped into Panettiere.
“To my complete surprise, it was Hayden Panettiere, who — in full Juliette Barnes mode — had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, ‘That was so good!!’” he explained.
He said that he told her he was a big fan of her work and jokingly told her he’d see her on set, despite not landing the role.

Her “Nashville” co-star Charles Esten took to Instagram to share a tribute. (Katherine Bomboy-Thornton/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
After several more auditions, he landed the role and reunited with her on set — to which he said she immediately came up to him and told him with a big smile: “See you on the set!”
Esten said they became friends and had so much fun on set, noting how kind she was to him, his wife and his family.
“Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly. God bless you, Hayden. Rest in Peace and Light,” adding a heart emoji.
Panettiere’s cause of death has not been publicly announced.
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Fox News Digital’s Stephen Solace and Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
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Original source: https://www.foxnews.com/
