Actor Justin Chatwin has voiced his profound frustration with the culture of Hollywood as he processes the recent death of his "Sleepwalker" co-star, Hayden Panettiere.
"I'm a man, so I process things by getting p----- off," Chatwin stated, elaborating on his anger that the entertainment industry often fails to adequately care for its people. He observed that individuals are utilized for their work and to promote products, yet many in the profession succumb to issues stemming from an "inability to feel pain or heal trauma."
Chatwin further emphasized a perceived dearth of support and awareness surrounding these critical issues, concluding, "Yeah, I'm grieving."
Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," passed away on August 16 at the age of 36. Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, reported she was discovered in cardiac arrest at her residence. Emergency personnel attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed no signs of trauma contributing to her death, and the official cause and manner of her passing are still under investigation.
A Broader Societal Challenge
Chatwin underscored that the challenges he witnessed extended far beyond the confines of Hollywood. He characterized trauma and addiction as a pervasive issue impacting individuals nationwide.
"It's not just her. We've lost a lot of people, and not just Hollywood, in all of America. It's an epidemic that needs to be looked at."
The actor recounted his last interaction with Panettiere, which occurred after they completed filming for "Sleepwalker." They shared a dinner following the movie's wrap.
"We went out to dinner after we wrapped the movie and, yeah, she was one of the top five, top 10 favorite people that I've ever worked with," he recalled. "She was super sweet."
Despite her pleasant demeanor, Chatwin noted he could discern a significant underlying pain within Panettiere.
"I could sense a lot of pain that she had dealt with, from her family to her daughter," he remarked. "I could sense the heaviness and the weight that the toll of 20 years in Hollywood and … trauma and the fight to figure out the trauma and addiction can have on you."
Panettiere had previously spoken openly about her struggles with addiction and other personal difficulties, detailing many of these experiences in her forthcoming 2026 memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."
Reunion and Reflections
Chatwin initially met Panettiere years earlier when she was in her twenties, during her time starring in "Heroes." They later reconnected to collaborate on "Sleepwalker," a psychological thriller released in January. In the film, Panettiere portrayed Sarah Pangborn, a grieving mother, and also served as an executive producer.
"She's just got one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I've worked with," Chatwin reiterated. "And she's super sweet."
However, Chatwin observed a notable change in his co-star when they reunited for the project.
"Life had taken a toll on her, and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents," he explained.
The actor also shared insights into the profound loneliness that can often exist beneath Hollywood's glamorous facade, describing the abrupt transition performers face when leaving a film set.
"Sometimes the pain is unbearable, and at the end of the day, you go home from a warm, fun movie set where everyone's telling you you're great, and you're alone in your house and you still got to order your coffee and eat your dinner," Chatwin said. "It's a really lonely career."
Despite these reflections, Chatwin remembered Panettiere as "super fun" while on set and cherished their more profound discussions.
"I really love having deep conversations with her," he stated.
Reflecting on Panettiere's experience during the making of "Sleepwalker," Chatwin offered a caution to fellow performers regarding the selection of roles, particularly those that might compel them to revisit unresolved personal traumas.
"I think that actors need to consider what roles they play, especially if it's opening up a vulnerable trauma that isn't healed," he advised.
Panettiere's career began as a child actor, rising to prominence for her role as cheerleader Claire Bennett on NBC's "Heroes." She later garnered two Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of country singer Juliette Barnes on "Nashville" and appeared as Kirby Reed in the "Scream" film series.
Her passing occurred just over three years after her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28 due to an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications. Panettiere had previously spoken candidly about the intense grief she experienced following his death.
A Simple Desire for Happiness
Despite the pain Chatwin observed, his aspiration for how Panettiere will be remembered was straightforward.
"She was a unicorn."
When asked about Panettiere's thoughts on returning to acting and her future aspirations, Chatwin indicated that her primary focus was not on securing another role or achieving a career milestone.
"I think the only focus was to be happy," he concluded.
