Tributes are flooding in for Hayden Panettiere, the Scream and Heroes star who has died aged 36.
David Arquette and Melissa Barrera, who appeared on screen with Panettiere in the Scream franchise, all took to social media to post messages.
Arquette, who plays the loveable Dewey in Scream, posted simply: “I love you Hayden,” while Barrera, who acted with Panettiere in Scream VI, wrote: “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Selma Blair, the Legally Blonde and Hellboy actress, wrote: “Blair wrote: “I love you. Don’t be gone. Please,” before following up with two similar messages. Blair had a small uncredited role in Scream 2.
Panettiere’s reps today confirmed the actress, who played Kirby Reed in Scream 4 and Scream VI, died aged 36 in South Carolina. Details are scant about her passing, but there is an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Others paying tribute include Rose O’Donnell, who wrote on social media, “Oh my god – heartbroken #hayden”, and One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz, who left a lengthy message, writing: “I’m crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her.
“She knew her lines and everyone else’s. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera. And she’d sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play. We’d connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away — but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths.”
Viola Davis, who worked with Panettiere in 2006 on David Greig film Architect and in 2016 on courtroom drama Custody, wrote: “What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius [Tennon, Davis’ actor husband] and I loved working with you….an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes.”
Another message came from podcaster Jay Shetty, who sat down with Panettiere a few months back for an emotional conversation about the actress’s career and difficult personal life. He wrote: “I can’t believe it. 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.”
Panettiere was open about her well-documented struggles with depression and addiction. The birth of her daughter Kaya in 2014 brought postpartum depression, and she later split with the father, former boxing world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Panettiere was a child star who appeared in commercials and had a four-year run as Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live before acting in The Guiding Light. She made her big screen debut at the age of nine in A Bug’s Life and in 2000, she played the daughter of a coach in Denzel Washington starrer Remember the Titans. In 2004, Panettiere landed her first starring roles as the daughter of actor Bill Pullman’s character in Tiger Cruise on The Disney Channel.
In 2006, Panettiere landed her breakout role in NBC superhero series Heroes, playing indestructible high school cheerleader Claire Bennet, who had to juggle her normal life with saving the world from threats. Despite an initial plan to introduce new stars each season, the popularity of Panettiere and fellow star Milo Ventimiglia’s characters meant she lead all four seasons.
Panettiere appeared as Kirby Reed in three Scream films: Scream 4 in 2011, a cameo in its sequel Scream eleven years later and Scream VI in 2023. She played the best friend of Jill Roberts, franchise protagonist Sidney Prescott’s younger cousin.
The actress was also known for her leading role as rising country music star Juliette Barnes in Nashville, playing opposite Connie Britton. Much of the show’s drama — and a good portion of ABC’s marketingl campaign — centered on the rivalry between their two characters. Nashville ran for six seasons, first on ABC and then CMT.
News of Panettiere’s passing came to light today, with her family releasing a statement. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement to ABC. “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.”
More reaction as we have it.
