Panettiere as Claire Bennett in Heroes. (Photo credit: NBCUniversal)
Actress Hayden Panettiere has passed away suddenly at age 36. The cause of death is currently unknown. Panettiere had recently been in the news discussing trauma she had suffered during her time as a child star coming up in Hollywood.
Panettiere’s big break was the role of Dot in PIXAR’s A Bug’s Life when Panettiere was just nine years young after having started on the ABC soap One Life to Live. She continued as a child prodigy with major roles in Guiding Light and Ally McBeal before her role as Claire Bennett in Heroes solidified her acting prowess as an adult. She reached further fame for her roles as Kirby in the Scream franchise and as Juliette Barnes in Nashville.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” one of her reps told ABC News. “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 leaves behind a daughter she shared with Olympic Gold Medalist Wladimir Klitschko.
She had also recently released a memoir that explored her battles with mental health. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, please be aware that there is help available, and that it’s okay to ask for it.
DSR will keep you up-to-date as more information becomes available. Everybody at Comic Book Clique sends their condolences to the family of Panettiere.