Hayden Panettiere honored in emotional 2026 Emmys In Memoriam tribute one month after her death
Hayden Panettiere was remembered at the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, less than a month after the actress died at 36.
Panettiere’s image appeared during the ceremony’s In Memoriam tribute, which honored television figures who died over the past year. Her appearance in the montage came as the entertainment industry continues to mourn the actress best known for Heroes and Nashville.
Hayden Panettiere appears in Emmys tribute
The Television Academy included Panettiere in its 2026 In Memoriam segment alongside several other notable names from television and entertainment.
The tribute was set to Noah Kahan‘s performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
The actress died in Greenville, South Carolina, after she was found unresponsive at a residence.
According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Panettiere was in cardiac arrest before her death. There were no signs of trauma, and officials said the cause of death required further investigation.
She leaves behind a television legacy
Panettiere became a familiar face on television from a young age, later landing roles that made her one of the recognizable stars of the 2000s and 2010s.
She played cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes and country singer Juliette Barnes on Nashville. Her television credits also included Malcolm in the Middle and One Life to Live.
Her film work included Remember the Titans, Scream 4 and Scream VI. She also appeared in the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove.
Panettiere’s death remains under investigation
Panettiere’s sudden death has prompted an ongoing investigation, with authorities yet to announce a final cause.
Her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were at the South Carolina residence when she was found unresponsive, according to a police report. The brothers called 911, and lifesaving efforts were attempted before Panettiere was pronounced dead.
Hickerson has not been accused of involvement in Panettiere’s death. Her death remains under investigation, with official toxicology results pending.
A final television farewell
Before Panettiere’s appearance in the In Memoriam montage, several of her former costars had paid tribute to her following her death.
Courteney Cox, who worked with her in the Scream franchise, told Entertainment Weekly that she “was really fun and happy and smart,” adding, “It’s really sad.”
Hilary Duff also remembered Panettiere in an Instagram tribute, describing her as “so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile.”
The 2026 In Memoriam segment also honored other stars who died over the past year, including Catherine O’Hara and Rob Reiner.