Mariska Hargitay is one of many sharing a heartfelt tribute to Hayden Panettiere after the actress tragically passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the age of 36. The two worked together on the set of Law & Order: SVU, with Panettiere guest-starring in 2001 and 2005.
“Holding you in my heart. Heartbroken about your hard journey. Remembering your light,” Hargitay captioned the post, sharing a screenshot of a scene she shot with Panettiere from the popular show.
The photo Hargitay posted was from Panettiere’s 2005 appearance, in which she played a high school student who was involved in sex work with her best friend, who was murdered. The episode aired as part of Season 6.
Hollywood Pays Tribute
Hilary Duff: “Sweet Hayden. Really tough hearing this news. We lost touch through the years but I will always remember you as so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile. I remember staying up late, chatting and gossiping, and connecting because we were part of such a small sliver of people who actually understood the strange lot in life we were navigating. So young, with no real idea how to make sense of any of it. I so deeply wish this wasn’t the end for you. Sending a heart full of love to your family, the many people you impacted and everyone who loved you. rest easy.”
Mischa Barton (per Fox News): “I am heartbroken by the news of Hayden’s passing. Hayden spoke candidly about her struggles with depression, something no one deserves to endure. Her passing at such a young age, with so much life still ahead of her, is profoundly heartbreaking,” Barton concluded.
‘Heroes’ actor Masi Oka: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden. I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I’ll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her. She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon…My heart goes out to her family and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Hayden.”
‘Nashville’ star Connie Britton: “This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright.
I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now. 💔”
Alexa Penavega: “Hayden, Michelle, Daveigh… my heart is heavy today,” she shared on social media Monday. These aren’t just names from my childhood. They’re girls I grew up alongside, sharing a world that was exciting and also incredibly hard. We were kids navigating something so big, and not everyone had the foundation or support they deserved. Today, I’m grieving and holding their families close in my prayers and thinking of everyone still fighting battles we can’t see. Hug your people close today.”
Alyson Stoner: “Hey, this is very raw, it’s very messy, please give me some grace. I wanted to acknowledge Hayden’s passing. I’ve worked with Hayden, I worked with Hayden’s brother Jansen, and from one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached. Sending so much love to Hayden’s family. I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left and sending lots of love to the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ community too and how we’re sharing in this loss. Take care everyone and … take care of yourselves. Take care of each other.”
Hayden Panettiere Was ‘Struggling’ and ‘Really Lonely’ While Filming Final Movie
Justin Chatwin, who starred with the late actress in her final film, “Sleepwalker,” talked about working with actress as well as her mindset during the filming of the movie. The film, which was released in early 2026, starred Pannettiere as a woman coping with the loss of her young daughter in a car accident.
“We hit it off great and it was an awesome shoot, but it was about domestic abuse and it was subject matter that may have hit close to home, because she did mention it,” Chatwin explained to PEOPLE. “She opened up to me about a lot of things.”
“I could tell she was struggling, and I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s this movie,’” he added. “There’s a handful of women that I’ve worked with that I really liked, and I really loved working with her, but I also know that she was really lonely,” he added.
