Hayden Panettiere, the actor best known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, has died aged 36.

Panettiere’s representative confirmed her death in a statement to ABC News in the US, describing the actor as “an incredible light and a force of nature”.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement 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.”

Panettiere began her career as a child actor before going on to become a familiar face on television and in Hollywood.

She rose to international fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the hit sci-fi series Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010.

She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in the musical drama Nashville, appearing in the series from 2012 to 2018.

The actor also appeared in two films in the Scream franchise, playing Kirby Reed in Scream 4 and reprising the role in Scream VI.

Panettiere also appeared in a number of other films throughout her career, including Remember the Titans, Ice Princess, Racing Stripes and Bring It On: All or Nothing.

Panettiere was 36.

The actress’ cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

Panettiere had spoken openly in recent years about some of the most difficult periods of her life, including her struggles with addiction, mental health and the pressures of growing up in the public eye.

In her memoir, released in July, This Is Me: A Reckoning, she reflected on her childhood fame, motherhood, her mental health and the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere.

Jansen died in 2023 aged 28. Hayden later spoke candidly about the devastating impact of his death and the guilt she carried following his passing.

Panettiere was also a mother to daughter Kaya, whom she shares with former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

The couple welcomed Kaya in 2014 and, following their separation and Panettiere’s struggles with addiction and postpartum depression, Klitschko took full custody of their daughter.

Panettiere previously described being separated from Kaya as “one of the worst days of my life”, but in more recent years spoke about rebuilding a close co-parenting relationship with Klitschko.