Who is Hayden Panettiere? 5 facts about the late actress

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Hayden Panettiere, whose death was announced by her family on Monday.

The 36-year-old actress had a long film and television career, including leading roles in "Heroes" and "Scream."

Panettiere was candid about her personal struggles even as she was celebrated for her talent.

Below, we look back at five facts about the late actress and her journey.

Hayden was a child actor

Hayden started her career at 11 months old, according to Forbes. She first appeared in a Playskool toy train commercial.

She then appeared in soap operas "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light," the latter of which she portrayed a child with leukemia and received widespread recognition.

At nine years old, she voiced Princess Dot in the Disney animated movie "A Bug's Life." Hayden was nominated for Best Spoken Word Album for Children at the Grammy Awards for the role, and was one of the youngest nominees at the time.

She was bisexual

Hayden is part of the LGBT+ community and identifies as bisexual, she revealed in May this year.

She exclusively came out to Us Weekly ahead of the release of her memoir titled, "This Is Me: A Reckoning."

"Now that I know that this book is coming out, and that I've chosen to share it with the world, I'm comfortable saying I'm bisexual," she told the magazine. "I'm comfortable to confidently say that, yes, I am bisexual. I said it!"

TV career

Hayden has had a memorable TV career. Her first lead role was in the superhero drama series "Heroes" as Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader who can spontaneously regenerate.

Another starring role was in "Nashville" as Juliette Barnes a former teen pop sensation turned bubblegum country pop singer who is determined to be a top country music star.

Film career

Hayden likewise had a colorful film career.

She has starred in "Bring It On: All or Nothing," "Scream 4," "Raising Helen," "Tiger Cruise," "Ice Princess," and "I Love You, Beth Cooper."

Her last film appearance was in "Sleepwalker," a psychological thriller film released in January. Hayden also served as an executive producer on the film.

Struggles with fame

Like many child stars, Hayden has had her share of struggles with being in the spotlight.

She told The Hollywood Reporter that she was "groomed" to become "a little soldier" and that "no was never an option."

"It was just, here are your scenes, here's your dialogue, memorize it, hit the marks, do what your director tells you to do. I took my marching orders," Hayden told the publication.

She also told People Magazine that at 15 years old, someone on her team would give her "happy pills" before red carpet events.

"They were to make me peppy during interviews," Hayden said. "I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction."

Hayden also became reliant on alcohol and opiates and struggled with postpartum depression after giving birth to her child, Kaya. —MGP, GMA News