Hayden Panettiere Remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz, Melissa Barrera and More: ‘I Wish the World Had More Time With You’

Hollywood is in mourning as stars pay tribute to Hayden Panettiere, following the news on Aug. 16 that the Heroes and Nashville star had died at 36.

via: Variety

Though a cause of death has not been released, her father told ABC News on Sunday: “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.”

Viola Davis shared a moving tribute to Panettiere on Instagram. She and her husband, Julius Tennon, starred with Panettiere in the 2016 courtroom drama “Custody.”

“What an amazing talent you were….so gifted,” Davis wrote. “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, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name.”

Panettiere’s close friend and “One Tree Hill” star Bethany Joy Lenz also penned a lengthy remembrance on social media alongside photos of them over the years.

“I’m crushed,” Lenz wrote. “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.”

She continued, “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 concluded: “I dont 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.”

Fellow former child star Alyson Stoner, who voiced Kairi in the “Kingdom Hearts” video game series after Panettiere originated the role, posted a tearful video on Instagram. “From one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss, not only for the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ family, but of course all of the close loved ones and the millions of lives that Hayden reached,” Stoner said. “I’ll be thinking of Hayden and the legacy that she has left.”

“Heartbroken to hear about Hayden’s passing,” wrote Derek Hough, who appeared alongside Panettiere on Nashville. “The little time I got to spend with her, she was so sweet, so kind. I’ve always admired her work and the joy she brought people.”

Scream writer Kevin Williamson posted a photo to his Instagram Stories of Panettiere in character in Scream 4 with three red hearts, and Melissa Barrera, one of Panettiere’s costars in Scream VI, shared, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden,” on her Instagram Stories.

“💔 I love you Hayden 🕊️,” Panettiere’s Scream 4 costar David Arquette commented on Variety’s Instagram post.

Scream 4’s Emma Roberts wrote, “Rest in peace my sweet friend. you are so loved and you will be forever missed ❤️.”

Ice Princess costar Kim Cattrall also posted on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon 💔”

Jay Shetty commented on Variety‘s Instagram post about the news: “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.”

Selma Blair posted, “I love you. Don’t be gone. Please.”

Added singer JoJo, “I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God.”

“So sad to hear of Hayden’s passing,” wrote Matt Lanter. “She played my girlfriend on Commander in Chief then I went over to her show and played her boyfriend on S1 of Heroes. We always had a great time on set and tons of laughs… ❤️ Man, just too young.”

“Bless you and your family,” Jeremy Renner wrote in the comments of PEOPLE’s Instagram about the actress’ death.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of someone who meant so much to me,” Kelly Osbourne wrote alongside a photo of Panettiere on her Instagram Stories. “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,” she continued.

“My heart grieves for someone so special to this world and such a good friend to me. I will never forget you, Hayden, and I will always believe you deserved better,” Osbourne added. “Rest in peace, sweet princess. You will never be forgotten.”

Music video director Chris Applebaum shared a clip on Instagram of his work with Panettiere on the video for her song “Wake Up Call,” and wrote, “I directed this video for @haydenpanettiere with @imsebastianstan & when I saw her at Paris’ a couple months ago we were cracking up over all the funny stuff we talked about between shots, pranking Klitschko in Miami, and how tiny she was. Such a sweet, tiny little bundle of joy. Your memory will always be a blessing. 🕊️ PS thanks for letting me clip the whites on your face I wanted that “hot” look because otherwise your face was too perfect. 💕”

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell shared a photo on Instagram of Panettiere in the 2006 film Bring It On: All or Nothing. “Oh my god - heartbroken #hayden 😭,” she captioned the post.

Ashlee Simpson posted a throwback photo of them together with the caption, “I’m deeply saddened by the news of Hayden Panettiere’s passing. Rest in peace, Hayden. You will be deeply missed.”

Alyssa Milano also posted a lengthy tribute to the actress on Facebook:

I keep coming back to this photograph and thinking about Hayden’s courage.

I hope people remember this part of her and that it doesn’t get lost in the noise, the headlines, or the flattening of public figures into story and spectacle.

Long before it was common for public figures to speak out, Hayden understood something simple and difficult: visibility is not just something you are given, but something you can give away. And she gave hers, again and again, in service of things larger than herself.

She stepped into direct action for animal rights, including entering the waters of Taiji to confront the dolphin slaughter, fully aware of the risk of arrest. She supported marine conservation and broader animal welfare efforts, not as distant endorsements, but as personal alignment.

Her sense of solidarity also extended globally. During the Euromaidan protests, she stood with Ukrainians calling for democratic change, placing herself, inside a moment of political upheaval that also carried personal meaning for her.

And perhaps most quietly powerful, she spoke openly about what so many are taught to hide: domestic violence, postpartum depression, addiction, recovery, and abuse. She did not share these things for ease or attention, but because she understood what her silence could cost others.

Her activism was not polished or performative. It was instinctive, human, sometimes messy, often vulnerable, and always sincere. She was willing to be uncomfortable, to be misunderstood, and to speak before the world was ready to listen.

Hayden was a gifted actor, but that was only part of what she gave us. She used her voice. She showed up. She cared fiercely.

I hope that is remembered too, the way she chose to stand in the world when it mattered.

Rest in peace, Hayden. You deserved so much more time and your courage deserves to be remembered.