Hayden Panettiere remembered by co-stars and friends after her death: “An old, wise soul with such a deep heart”
Friends and Co-Stars Honor Hayden Panettiere After Her Sudden Passing at 36
Wertynews.com – The entertainment world fell silent Sunday as word spread that actress Hayden Panettiere had died at age 36. In the hours and days that followed, colleagues, family members, and close friends poured out tributes celebrating her sharp mind, generous spirit, and extraordinary on-screen gifts.
Panettiere's career began almost before she could walk. By age five she had already fronted dozens of television commercials, and from there she moved into major film and television roles, including Remember the Titans, Heroes, Bring It On, and the TV series Nashville.
A Father's Words
Skip Panettiere, her father, issued a brief statement the same day the news broke.
"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."
Viola Davis: "A Beautiful Phoenix Rising"
Viola Davis, who shared the screen with Panettiere in the 2016 drama Custody, posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram describing her as "an amazing talent."
"An old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered."
Bethany Joy Lenz Remembers a Child Prodigy
Bethany Joy Lenz, who worked alongside a very young Panettiere on Guiding Light in the late 1990s, shared a long Instagram post describing the first time she noticed the child actor.
"I'm crushed."
Lenz recalled watching the young actress sprint through studio hallways between takes, "laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals."
"She knew her lines and everyone else's. Her intelligence was astonishing. She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I'd ever seen on camera. And she'd sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play."
The two women stayed in touch intermittently over the decades, Lenz noted, adding that crossing paths with Panettiere always filled her with joy.
Kelly Osbourne on Growing Up in the Spotlight
Kelly Osbourne, who described Panettiere as "such a good friend to me," posted on an Instagram story that she was deeply grieved by the loss.
"We understood each other in a way few truly can—recognizing how difficult it is to grow up in the spotlight, and how isolating it can feel even when surrounded by so many people. I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better."
The two women had appeared together on an episode of Red Table Talk in 2022, where Panettiere opened up about battling addiction, postpartum depression, and relinquishing primary custody of her daughter.
A Year of Candid Conversations
In the months before her death, Panettiere spoke publicly and at length about those same struggles. Around the May release of her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss the book. She also joined Jay Shetty's podcast On Purpose for an emotional conversation in which she addressed, among other topics, the 2023 death of her brother.
Shetty reacted to the news Monday with a comment on Instagram: "Truly heartbroken by this news." In a follow-up comment he added:
"I can't believe it. Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans."
Bryan Fuller: A Muse for Writers
Bryan Fuller, a writer on Heroes, called Panettiere a muse in his own Instagram post.
"Wise beyond her years and already saddled with so much of a life, she left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller."
Final Words from Fellow Actors
Selma Blair posted a short, anguished message: "I love you. Don't be gone. Don't be gone. Please. Please."
David Arquette, who starred opposite Panettiere in Scream 4, simply wrote, "I love you Hayden."
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