Hayden Panettiere, an actress with a notable career across television, film, and video games, has died at the age of 36. Her passing was confirmed by her father, Alan "Skip" Panettiere, in a statement to ABC News.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," the statement read. "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."
Panettiere, who had been acting for much of her life, gained significant recognition in the 2000s for her role as Claire Bennet in the television series "Heroes." Her character was central to the show's narrative, notably inspiring the popular phrase "Save the cheerleader, save the world."
While her most prominent roles were in television and film, including appearances in "Nashville," "Bring It On: All or Nothing," and "Scream 4," Panettiere also made an impact in the video game industry. She lent her voice to Kairi in the "Kingdom Hearts" series, reprising the role in its first sequel and "Birth By Sleep." She also voiced Xion in "Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance." Though she did not voice Kairi in subsequent titles after 2010, her original performances are still held in high regard by the community. Hayley Joel Osment, the voice of Sora in "Kingdom Hearts," shared a tribute to Panettiere on his Instagram story.
Panettiere also provided both her voice and likeness to Sam Giddings in Supermassive Games' interactive horror title "Until Dawn." Her presence was a significant draw for the game upon its release, and her performance remains a memorable aspect of the experience. She reprised her role as Sam for a post-credits scene in the game's 2024 remake, marking her final credited video game appearance.
