Hollywood is in deep mourning after the heartbreaking death of beloved actress Hayden Panettiere, who passed away at the age of 36.
The former star of acclaimed series like Heroes and Nashville was confirmed deceased by her representative to Us on Sunday, August 16. However, the circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s untimely death remain undisclosed at this time.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed his deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “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.”
Skip has requested privacy for their family “as we take the time to process this unimaginable loss.”
The entertainment industry has faced a series of losses this year, with the deaths of some of its most cherished figures in 2026. In June, legendary music mogul Clive Davis passed away at 94 following complications from an upper respiratory infection. The sorrow continued the following month with the loss of G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett, who died at 37, and iconic singer Bonnie Tyler at 75. The hearts of many also went out with the passing of Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and others from the Police series.
As news broke late Sunday, celebrities from around the world have expressed their grief and memories of the late actress.
Keep scrolling to see which stars have reacted:
David Arquette
“💔 I love you Hayden 🕊️,” Panettiere’s Scream 4 costar shared under Variety’s Instagram post regarding the actress’ death.
Melissa Barrera
The Scream VI actress wrote via her Instagram Stories, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden.”
Selma Blair
“I love you whale tail my friend,” the actress commented on Panettiere’s final Instagram post shared before her death on July 27.
Rosie O’Donnell
“Oh my god – heartbroken #hayden 😭,” O’Donnell wrote via Instagram alongside a picture of Panettiere.
Hayden Panettiere reflected on “good times” in her final Instagram post shared prior to her death. “Good times and good friends @randallslavin ✨,” the Nashville alum captioned a black-and-white photo of herself with photographer and director Randall Slavin. The July 27 post captured Panettiere winking at the camera while Slavin, 56, wrapped his arm around […]
Bethany Joy Lenz
“There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But I’m here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue,” the One Tree Hill alum shared in a lengthy Instagram tribute.
Lenz continued, “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,” Lenz said. “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. We’d make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner — but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends.”
“I don’t understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she?” the actress wrote. “It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround [sic] by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
“These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years. I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always,” Lenz concluded.
Jay Shetty
“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 🙏🙏🙏,” the podcaster wrote under Variety’s Instagram post.
Greer Grammer
“Oh my god 😔 this is just absolutely devastating. I can’t believe it,” the actress commented on Variety’s Instagram post.