Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere is an American actress, singer, and activist who began her career as a child star and rose to international fame through her role as cheerleader Claire Bennet on the NBC sci-fi series Heroes (2006-2010). Born in Palisades, New York, Panettiere started acting at just 11 months old in a commercial and went on to appear in the soap opera One Life to Live at age four. Her early career also included a recurring role as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, which she played from 1996 to 2000.

Heroes catapulted Panettiere to global stardom, making her one of the most recognizable young actresses of the late 2000s. Following the show’s conclusion, she seamlessly transitioned to another major television role as country music singer Juliette Barnes on the ABC and later CMT series Nashville, which ran from 2012 to 2018. Her performance on Nashville showcased her singing abilities, and she released several singles and contributed extensively to the show’s popular soundtrack albums, which charted on the Billboard 200.

Panettiere has also built a notable career in film and voice acting. She starred in the Scream franchise, appearing in Scream 4 (2011) and returning for Scream VI (2023). Her voice acting credits include the role of Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts video game series, which has a massive global following. Beyond entertainment, she is a passionate activist for marine mammal protection and has been involved with The Whaleman Foundation, even traveling to Japan to protest dolphin hunting.

Despite facing personal challenges, including publicly discussing her battle with postpartum depression and struggles with addiction, Panettiere has shown resilience in rebuilding her career and personal life. Her openness about mental health has made her an advocate for others facing similar issues. With a net worth estimated at $15 million in 2026, her wealth comes from decades of acting work, music royalties, endorsement deals, and voice acting in one of gaming’s most popular franchises.