Hayden Panettiere remembered as ‘amazing talent’ following death aged 36
Hayden Panettiere (PA)
Hayden Panettiere is being remembered as an “amazing talent” following her death aged 36.
A representative for the US actress – best known for her roles in and – confirmed her death on Monday, saying her family would remember her as an “incredible light” who brought “immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her”.
Viola Davis – who featured alongside Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama film – shared a tribute to her former co-star on Instagram.
She said: “What an amazing talent you were….so gifted. Julius and I loved working with you….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. Rest well. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name…”
Davis’ husband Julius Tennon also appeared in the film with them, playing a court officer.
Bethany Joy Lenz – a long-time friend of Panettiere – said she was “crushed” by her death.
Sharing photos of the actress on set when she was young, as well as photos of them together over the years, the star wrote: “There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But I’m here with my head in my hands and I don’t know what else to do in aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue.
Read More
“I’m crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her. 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.
“We’d connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away – but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths. We’d make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner – but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends.”
Lenz went on to write that she “didn’t understand how this is real”.
“Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life. And her daughter…. Hayden, you are surround by love. I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”
Concluding her tribute, she added: “These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years. I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always.”
Commenting on Instagram, Panettiere’s co-star David Arquette wrote: “I love you Hayden.”
The statement from Panettiere’s father Skip announcing her death read: “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 knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”
Her father also asked that her family be given privacy as they “take time to process this unimaginable loss”.
No cause of death has been announced.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
