Justin Chatwin recently expressed his frustration over Hollywood’s culture following the death of his “Sleepwalker” co-star, Hayden Panettiere. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he shared that his mourning had shifted to anger due to the entertainment industry’s lack of support for those facing trauma and addiction.
“I’m a man, so I process things by getting pissed off,” said Chatwin. “And so I’m kind of angry that this is the culture, this is the industry, that people aren’t taken care of.”
Chatwin, who appeared in two films with Panettiere, deeply felt her loss. “They get the work, they sell the product,” he added, highlighting that many in the industry struggle with pain and trauma. He noted a deficiency in support and awareness surrounding these issues.
Panettiere passed away on August 16 at 36 years old. She was found in cardiac arrest at her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Although emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, she was pronounced dead. The autopsy indicated there were no trauma signs contributing to her death, though her official cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Chatwin emphasized that the struggles he saw were not exclusive to Hollywood. “It’s not just her,” he said. “We’ve lost a lot of people, and not just in Hollywood, in all of America. It’s an epidemic that needs to be addressed.”
He shared his final memories with Panettiere, recalling a dinner after they finished filming “Sleepwalker.” “She was super sweet, one of my top favorite people to work with,” he remembered, noting her kindness.
Despite her charm, Chatwin sensed that Panettiere struggled with significant personal pain. “I could sense a lot of pain she had dealt with, from her family to her daughter,” he said. He recognized the difficulty that years in Hollywood and personal challenges had on her.
Panettiere publicly discussed her battles with addiction and other issues. She revealed these experiences in her 2026 memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.”
Chatwin first met Panettiere when she was in her 20s, starring on “Heroes.” They later collaborated on “Sleepwalker,” a psychological thriller released in January. Panettiere played Sarah Pangborn, a grieving mother, and served as an executive producer on the film.
“She’s just got one of the biggest hearts,” Chatwin said of working with Panettiere. Yet, he noted changes in her demeanor when they reunited for the project, acknowledging life’s toll on her.
Chatwin also spoke about the loneliness behind Hollywood’s glamour, mentioning how isolating the industry can be. “Sometimes the pain is unbearable,” he reflected, describing the transition from the excitement of a movie set to solitude at home.
Despite challenges, Chatwin fondly recalled Panettiere as “super fun” on set. He treasured their deeper conversations, which allowed for genuine connection.
Reflecting on Panettiere’s journey during “Sleepwalker,” Chatwin cautioned fellow performers about choosing roles that might revisit unresolved trauma. “Actors need to consider what roles they play,” he stated, referencing the challenges of opening up vulnerable emotional spaces.
Panettiere gained fame as a child actor and earned recognition for her role on NBC’s “Heroes.” She also starred in “Nashville” and appeared in the “Scream” franchise.
Her passing came shortly after her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 from heart-related complications. Panettiere openly shared her feelings of loss and profound grief following his death.
Despite witnessing her struggles, Chatwin’s description of how he hopes Panettiere will be remembered was simple. “She was a unicorn,” he stated.
When discussing Panettiere’s aspirations for returning to acting, Chatwin shared her primary focus: “The only focus was to be happy,” he noted.