Justin Chatwin says the loss of his co-star Hayden Panettiere has left him with grief, frustration, and anger toward an entertainment industry he believes often fails to provide enough support for people facing trauma and addiction.
The actor, who worked alongside Panettiere in what became her final film, “Sleepwalker,” said her death has forced him to reflect on the struggles many performers face behind the public image of fame and success.
Justin Chatwin Expresses Anger Over Industry Support For Struggles
Chatwin said his emotions after Panettiere’s death have shifted from sadness toward frustration as he considers what he sees as a broader problem within Hollywood culture.
“I’m a man, so I process things by getting p—– off,” Chatwin said. “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.
“They get the work, they sell the product,” he continued, “and there’s just a lot of people in our industry that are dying from … inability to feel pain or heal trauma.”
The actor added that many people in entertainment continue to struggle without enough resources or awareness surrounding mental health, trauma, and addiction.
Chatwin said, “there’s not enough support or awareness around these issues,” before adding, “Yeah, I’m grieving.”
Hayden Panettiere’s Death Leaves Friends And Fans Mourning
Panettiere died Aug. 16 at the age of 36, leaving behind a career that began in childhood and grew into major roles in television and film.
The “Heroes” and “Nashville” star was found in cardiac arrest at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. Emergency responders attempted life-saving efforts before she was pronounced dead.
An autopsy found no signs of trauma contributing to her death. However, officials have not yet announced the official cause and manner of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Chatwin Says Panettiere’s Story Represents A Larger Crisis
While reflecting on Panettiere’s passing, Chatwin emphasized that the challenges surrounding trauma and addiction extend beyond Hollywood.
“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.”
The actor said he hopes conversations surrounding emotional struggles and addiction become more open, especially for people who may feel isolated while dealing with personal pain.
A Final Dinner After ‘Sleepwalker’ Remained A Meaningful Memory
Chatwin recalled his final moments with Panettiere after the two completed filming “Sleepwalker,” describing their time together away from the set as something he deeply valued.
“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.”
However, Chatwin said he also noticed that Panettiere carried emotional struggles from years of difficult experiences.
“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.”
Justin Chatwin Remembers Hayden Panettiere As A Unique Talent
Chatwin said his connection with Panettiere went beyond their work together on screen, describing her as someone whose kindness and personality stood out among the many people he had worked with throughout his career.
Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her battles with addiction and personal struggles. She later shared many details of her experiences in her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
The actress first met Chatwin years earlier when she was already gaining attention as a young performer starring in “Heroes.” Their professional paths crossed again when they reunited for “Sleepwalker,” a psychological thriller released in January.
In the film, Panettiere played Sarah Pangborn, a grieving mother, while also taking on the role of executive producer.
Chatwin Praises Panettiere’s Heart And Personality
Despite the challenges Panettiere faced, Chatwin said he remembered her warmth and compassion above everything else.
“She’s just got one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I’ve worked with,” Chatwin said. “And she’s super sweet.”
However, when the two reunited years after first meeting, Chatwin said he noticed that life had changed her in significant ways.
“Life had taken a toll on her, and she had a lot of unfortunate incidents,” he said.
The actor explained that he could recognize the emotional weight she carried after years in the spotlight and through difficult personal experiences.
The Hidden Loneliness Behind Hollywood Fame
Chatwin also discussed what he described as the loneliness that can exist behind the entertainment industry’s glamorous public image.
He said performers can experience a dramatic emotional shift when they leave a supportive film set and return to their personal lives.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Chatwin remembered Panettiere’s presence on set as positive and engaging, saying their conversations often went beyond surface-level discussions.
“I really love having deep conversations with her,” Chatwin said.
Chatwin Warns Actors About Emotionally Heavy Roles
Reflecting on Panettiere’s experience while making “Sleepwalker,” Chatwin shared concerns about actors taking on roles that may reopen unresolved emotional wounds.
“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.
The actor suggested that performers should think carefully about the emotional impact certain characters and stories may have, particularly when they involve painful and personal themes.
Hayden Panettiere’s Legacy Across Television And Film
Panettiere built a successful career after entering the entertainment industry as a child actor.
She became widely recognized for playing cheerleader Claire Bennett on “Heroes” before later starring as country singer Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” a role that earned her two Golden Globe nominations.
She also appeared as Kirby Reed in the “Scream” franchise, further expanding her reputation as a versatile performer across television and film.
Her death came just over three years after the passing of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, who died in 2023 at age 28 from an enlarged heart coupled with aortic valve complications.
Panettiere had previously spoken openly about the deep grief she experienced following her brother’s death.
Chatwin Says Hayden Panettiere Was One Of A Kind
Despite the struggles and pain he witnessed, Chatwin said he hopes people remember Panettiere for the extraordinary person she was.
“She was a unicorn.”
When asked about Panettiere’s thoughts on returning to acting and what she hoped to pursue next, Chatwin said her priorities had changed.
“I think the only focus was to be happy,” he said.
