One of Hayden Panettiere’s final acts was a selfless one, standing up for animals in an ad filmed “weeks” before her tragic death.
The campaign for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) features the “Nashville” actress stripped down and laying in a bathtub as she advocates against dolphins and whales being kept “in tiny tanks at marine amusement parks.”
“Imagine spending your entire life in a bathtub,” she says, comparing what the aquatic mammals must feel like in captivity not free to swim in their “ocean homes” where they’re “free to be with family and other pod members.”
“We can end this. You and me,” she pleads with the viewers. “Can you imagine their frustration, their trauma, their depression? All that’s important and crucial for their well-being is ripped away.”
The ad ends with Panettiere asking those watching to “vow today never to go to a marine park” that keeps these animals in “extreme captivity,” adding, “Together, we can end this cruelty. Thank you.”
A representative for PETA confirmed to Page Six the campaign was shot July 22 and that the “Scream 4” actress was “wonderful” on the set.
Panettiere’s advocacy for marine animals stretches back to October 2007 when she — at just 18 years old — and other activists confronted dolphin hunters off the coast of Taiji, Wakayama, Japan.
These events were filmed for the 2009 documentary “The Cove,” which went on to win the Oscar for best documentary feature at the 82nd Academy Awards.
Panettiere credited the success of “Heroes” for putting her “in a place to speak for things that I’m passionate about” in a 2008 Teen Vogue interview.
Following the actress’ death from an apparent “overdose” in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, PETA issued a statement mourning her loss.
“Hayden Panettiere became a household name playing a hero on TV, but to animals, she was the real deal,” PETA senior vice president Lisa Lange said in part. “The world has lost a kind soul and the animals a fierce ally, and everyone at PETA holds her memory close.”
Panettiere was also a frequent collaborator with the Whaleman Foundation, a “non-profit research, education, conservation, and wildlife film production organization dedicated to preserving and protecting our ocean world,” per its website.
A statement on Whaleman’s homepage reads, “It’s with broken hearts that we share the very sad news that Hayden Panettiere has passed away. Hayden was a very passionate Ambassador to dolphins and whales as she lent her voice to those beautiful beings who had no voice of their own.”
It concluded, “She will be sorely missed.”
Panettiere was reportedly found unresponsive by Zach Hickerson, the brother of Brian Hickerson, with whom the actress had a tumultuous relationship as they dated on and off for years. Brian was allegedly asleep in another room at the time.
The brothers called 911 and first responders attempted to revive Panettiere at the scene, but were unsuccessful and the “Bring It On: All or Nothing” star was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. local time.
Panettiere was 36.
Autopsy results stated that there were no “signs of trauma” at the time of Panettiere’s death.
TMZ reported that Narcan — a medication used for its reversal effects on an opioid overdose — was found at the scene, but it’s unclear if the actress received the dose.
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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