Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36
Hollywood stars are mourning the death of Hayden Panettiere.
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville" and the "Scream" franchise, died Sunday at 36, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital.
"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, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided to ABC News.
Following news of her death, friends, former co-stars and fellow celebrities shared emotional tributes to the actress on social media.
Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 movie "Custody," remembered the actress as an "amazing talent" and reflected on the time they spent working together.
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Davis wrote on Instagram that she and her husband, Julius Tennon, "loved working" with Panettiere, describing her as an "old, wise soul" with a deep heart.
The Oscar winner said she wished the world had been given more time with Panettiere and reflected on watching the actress rebuild her life through difficult periods.
"You will be remembered," Davis wrote before offering prayers for Panettiere's family and daughter.
"One Tree Hill" actress Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, recalling that she had known her since childhood and expressing disbelief over her death.
"I’m crushed," Lenz wrote on Instagram. "I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen."
Lenz recalled Panettiere running through the halls of Screen Gems Studios as a child, describing her as remarkably perceptive and talented even at a young age.
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"Her intelligence was astonishing," Lenz wrote. "She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera."
The actress said she and Panettiere remained connected on and off for nearly three decades, comparing their relationship to cousins who would reconnect at family reunions. Although the two repeatedly made plans to get together, Lenz said those meetings never quite happened, and she largely kept up with Panettiere through mutual friends.
"I dont understand how this is real," Lenz wrote. "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."
Lenz also expressed regret over the times she did not reach out and shared her heartbreak for Panettiere’s daughter.
"These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years," she wrote alongside photos of them over the years. "I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always."
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Other celebrities and former co-stars also reacted to Panettiere's death.
"Scream VI" co-star Melissa Barrera shared a brief tribute on Instagram Stories, writing, "Rest in peace sweet Hayden."
Selma Blair left a series of emotional comments on Panettiere's final Instagram post, pleading, "Don't be gone."
David Arquette, who appeared with Panettiere in "Scream 4," also shared his heartbreak, writing on his Instagram Story, "Sending my love to Hayden and her family," he wrote. "She was such a brave and brilliant soul."
Rosie O’Donnell shared her shock in a brief Instagram reaction, writing, "Oh my god — heartbroken."
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Podcaster Jay Shetty reflected on a friendship with Panettiere that he said had only recently begun. "I can’t believe it," Shetty wrote in a comment on Variety's Instagram. "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."
Panettiere's cause of death has not been publicly announced.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Solace and Tracy Wright contributed to this post.