Hayden Panettiere’s friends and co-stars share emotional tributes after her death at 36

Stars including Bethany Joy Lenz and Melissa Barrera remembered Panettiere through emotional social media tributes

Hayden Panettiere is being remembered by friends, former co-stars and fellow actors following her death at 36. Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz, Melissa Barrera, Selma Blair and JoJo were among those who shared emotional tributes after news of the actress’s passing emerged on Sunday.

Panettiere became widely known through her performances in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, building a career that began when she was a child actor. Her death was confirmed by her father, Alan Panettiere, who described his daughter as an "incredible light and a force of nature" in a statement reported by ABC News.

A cause of death had not been released in the initial reports. Police were investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, while Variety later reported that authorities had found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

Davis, who worked with Panettiere and her husband Julius Tennon on the 2016 drama Custody, shared one of the most personal tributes. She remembered Panettiere as a gifted performer and described her as an "old, wise soul" with a deep heart.

Davis also reflected on Panettiere's potential and the person she was continuing to become. Her message expressed sadness that the world would not have the opportunity to see more of the actress's life and career.

 

 

 

 

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Lenz, who appeared with Panettiere during their early years in the entertainment industry, shared an especially detailed remembrance. The One Tree Hill actress recalled meeting Panettiere when she was a child and described her intelligence, performance instincts and ability to understand difficult emotional material from an unusually young age.

Lenz's tribute also focused on their friendship across the years. Although their careers and lives took them in different directions, she said they continued to reconnect whenever their paths crossed. Her message expressed regret that plans to spend more time together never materialised.

 

 

 

 

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Melissa Barrera, who worked with Panettiere on Scream 6, also remembered her former co-star. Barrera shared a brief tribute on her Instagram Story, calling Panettiere "sweet Hayden" while expressing her sorrow over the loss.

Other entertainers also reacted to the news. Jay Shetty, who said his friendship with Panettiere had only recently begun, recalled being deeply affected by a conversation they shared earlier this year. Selma Blair posted a direct message expressing her love and disbelief, while singer JoJo shared her condolences after learning of Panettiere's death.

Panettiere's career included significant roles across television and film. She played Claire Bennet on Heroes, Juliette Barnes on Nashville and Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise. Her work also included films such as Remember the Titans, Racing Stripes and Custody.

Her death has prompted renewed attention to a career that began in childhood and continued across several major television and film projects. The tributes from Davis, Lenz, Barrera and others have also highlighted Panettiere's personal qualities, friendships and influence on those who worked alongside her.