Hayden Panettiere dies at 36

She was not defined solely by addiction, depression, grief, or the challenges she faced.

She was also a talented child performer who built an impressive career. She was a television star, film actress, singer, daughter, sister, and mother.

She made mistakes, acknowledged them, and spoke openly about them.

She experienced periods of extraordinary success and periods of intense struggle.

That complexity is part of what made her story human.

The Characters Fans Will Remember
For Heroes fans, Hayden Panettiere will always be Claire Bennet, the determined young woman who discovered that she could heal from injuries that would have been fatal to ordinary people.

For Nashville fans, she will remain Juliette Barnes, the talented and complicated singer whose life repeatedly moved between professional success and personal turmoil.

For horror fans, she will be remembered as Kirby Reed, the sharp and knowledgeable character who became a favorite of the Scream franchise.

And for people who followed her personal story, she may be remembered for something different: her willingness to talk about experiences that many others would have preferred to hide.

A Life That Meant Something to Millions
Hayden Panettiere’s career began before she was old enough to understand what worldwide fame would eventually mean.