"Remember the Titans" Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36

GREENVILLE, SC — A child star turned movie star has passed away suddenly.

Hayden Panettiere, 36, known for her roles in “Remember the Titans” and the "Bring It On" franchise, died in Greenville, South Carolina. She was discovered by first responders in her apartment after suffering what is being reported as cardiac arrest.

According to a release, EMS personnel found an unresponsive woman around 1:51 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Judson Mill Lofts. The woman was identified as Panettiere, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest there was no foul play involved.

Panettiere has been working in the film industry for quite some time and found success early in life with a couple of voice roles in “A Bug’s Life” and “Dinosaur," both Disney projects, before being cast in “Remember the Titans” in 2000 as coach's daughter Sheryl Yoast. Panettiere continued working through her life and was cast in "Heroes" and "Nashville" on television and in the "Scream" franchise.

Panettiere also did voice work in video games like Kingdom Hearts and Until Dawn and was an accomplished singer as well.

In 2015, Panettiere gave birth to a daughter and experienced postpartum depression to the point where she gave full custody of her daughter to her then-partner and father of the child, Wladimir Klitschko. She was open about her struggles with postpartum depression and spoke about it in interviews. Panettiere also spoke about alcoholism and addiction. 

Hayden’s representatives and family said, “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who know her.”

Panettiere’s father, Skip, has asked for privacy during this time.

In February 2023, Hayden’s brother, Jansen, passed away due to an enlarged heart condition and aortic valve complications.