Remembering Hayden Panettiere: The Voice of Kingdom Hearts and Gaming Icon Passes Away at 36
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Hayden Panettiere, beloved actor and the voice behind Kingdom Hearts character Kairi and Until Dawn's Sam, has passed away at 36. Her family confirmed the news, prompting tributes from fans across the gaming and television communities.
Hayden Panettiere, an actor who left an indelible mark on both television and video games, has passed away at the age of 36. Her family confirmed the tragic news in a statement, remembering her as a force of nature who brought joy to millions worldwide. While she won over global audiences through television hits like Heroes and Nashville, millions of players knew her best for her iconic voice acting roles across several defining titles.
Gamers will fondly remember Panettiere as the voice of Kairi and Xion throughout Square Enix's sprawling Kingdom Hearts franchise, where she helped shape the emotional core of one of gaming's most beloved series. Beyond her journey through Disney and Final Fantasy worlds, she also brought her talent to interactive horror as Sam in Supermassive Games' Until Dawn, helping cement that title as a modern classic for streaming communities and horror fans alike. Her career in the medium spanned decades, bridging traditional Hollywood and interactive entertainment long before cross-medium storytelling became the industry standard.
Polygon originally reported the news of her passing following the family statement. Panettiere's contribution to digital worlds and television will be deeply missed by fans, creators, and players who grew up watching and playing her characters. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Tags: Kingdom Hearts, Until Dawn, Gaming News, Square Enix, Voice Acting
Original article: Polygon