Actor Justin Chatwin has spoken out about Hollywood culture, expressing intense frustration over industry working conditions while grieving the death of his “Sleepwalker” co-star Hayden Panettiere, who passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the age of 36.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported that Panettiere, widely recognized for her performances in “Heroes” on NBC and the dramatic series “Nashville,” was discovered in cardiac arrest at her Greenville, South Carolina residence. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures at the scene before she was pronounced dead. An autopsy subsequently found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, and the official cause and manner remain undetermined while investigations continue.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Chatwin explained that his grief over losing his co-star has transformed into anger directed at the entertainment business.
“I’m a man, so I process things by getting pissed off,” Chatwin told Fox News Digital. And so I’m kind of angry that this is the culture that — and this is the industry — that people aren’t taken care of.
Chatwin, who worked alongside Panettiere on the psychological thriller “Sleepwalker” released in January—where Panettiere starred as grieving mother Sarah Pangborn and served as an executive producer—argued that performers face severe pressures without adequate backing.
“They get the work, they sell the product,” Chatwin said, adding that “there’s just a lot of people in our industry that are dying from … inability to feel pain or heal trauma.” He noted that there is “not enough support or awareness around these issues” before affirming, “Yeah, I’m grieving.”
The actor also observed that the underlying struggles extend beyond the entertainment sector, describing trauma and addiction as a widespread national crisis. “It’s not just her,” Chatwin said. “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.”
## Final Collaboration and Reflections on Set
Recalling their time together, Chatwin shared that after wrapping “Sleepwalker,” the two went out to dinner, cementing an impression of Panettiere as “one of the top five, top 10 favorite people that I’ve ever worked with.”
At the same time, Chatwin sensed underlying difficulties. “I could sense a lot of pain that she had dealt with, from her family to her daughter,” he said. “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 addressed her personal challenges openly, detailing her experiences with addiction and other obstacles in her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” Chatwin, who first met her when she starred in “Heroes” in her 20s, noted a distinct shift when they reunited years later. “Life had taken a toll on her, and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents,” he said.
Describing the emotional hazards of the profession, Chatwin pointed to the sharp contrast between working on a collaborative set and returning home to isolation. “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,” he said. “It’s a really lonely career.”
He also offered a caution to fellow actors regarding script choices. “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 said.
## Investigation and Ongoing Developments
Representatives for those close to the late actress have addressed the public. Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, addressed the star’s passing through his lawyer, Sloan Ellis of the Ellis Hinton law firm.
“Hayden’s death remains under investigation and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed,” Ellis stated. “As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones and the ongoing investigation, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Police confirmed that Hickerson, 37, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the Greenville apartment when emergency responders arrived. A Greenville police officer reported being met by the brothers before observing paramedics performing CPR. Dispatch audio indicated that emergency personnel treated the situation as a suspected cardiac arrest, and sources told TMZ that Narcan was found at the property. The Greenville Police Department reiterated that the preliminary investigation has revealed no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Panettiere’s death follows the passing of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 from an enlarged heart and aortic valve complications.
Despite the hardships she faced, Chatwin remembered his co-star for her warmth and dedication. Asked what Panettiere had shared about her future aspirations during their final conversations, Chatwin said her ambitions were straightforward.
“I think the only focus was to be happy,” he said.
