The entertainment industry is heartbroken over the sudden death of actress Hayden Panettiere. Her passing was announced on Sunday, August 16, when her father, Skip Panettiere, shared a statement with ABC News. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” he said. “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.” She was just 36.
Hayden Panettiere’s Life as a Child Actor
GettyPanettiere is remembered fondly for her roles in “Nashville,” “Heroes,” “Bring It On,” and “Scream 6.” But her career started as a child actor, with her first major role in the soap opera “One Life to Live” when she was four. She also appeared on “Guiding Light” from 1996 to 2000.
GettyPanettiere’s life was complicated, and she opened up about it as an adult, including how her mother made her feel. The Independent notes that Panettiere was just four months old when her mother, actor Lesley Vogel, signed her up to modeling agencies. “Getting that kind of praise so young made me feel empowered and happy. But it was also all wrapped up in pleasing my mom. Her opinions were the most important to me,” Panettiere told the publication. “I associated praise with love. So being praised felt like being loved.”
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GettyIn the interview, the “Heroes” actress also discussed the level of fame and public interest she experienced at such a young age, and how it came with challenges. “I always put high expectations on myself, so everything that happened… It’s not healthy to receive so much praise as a child,” she said. “So when I got to an age where I became somebody the paparazzi were interested in, and the media wanted all the gory details… it broke my heart that people thought negatively about me.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Advocates for Change
GettyPanettiere had an impressive career, but she also passionately spoke up for child actors and advocated for their treatment. “People don’t always understand what they’re asking of young actors emotionally,” she said, People reports. “I remember having to advocate for younger performers and stepping in when people expected too much from them. I become very protective. If somebody’s pushing a child too hard, that’s when I start growling.”
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GettyNo cause of death has been shared, but Panettiere’s passing is being investigated. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the police in Greenville, South Carolina, shared in a statement, The Independent reports.
Officers “responded to a report of an unresponsive female” at around 1:50 pm ET on Sunday, the publication reports. Panettiere will be missed by many.
