Actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36, family confirms

Hayden Panettiere, the actress best known for her roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville', has died at the age of 36. Her family confirmed the news on August 16 but have not yet revealed the cause of death. Panettiere started her career as a child model and actress, appearing in shows like 'Ally McBeal' and films such as 'Remember the Titans' and the 'Scream' franchise.

In a 2012 interview with Women's Health magazine, Panettiere spoke about self-acceptance and body confidence. Her widely shared quote reads: "The way you carry yourself and that light coming out of your eyes are the most attractive things about you." She explained that inner beauty matters more than a curated external persona, a message that resonated deeply with fans amid today's focus on aesthetic perfection and online personas.

Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere was the daughter of a former soap opera actress and a fire department lieutenant. Her brother, Jansen Panettiere, also an actor, died at age 28 in February 2023.