A Walking Dead Star Has Died
The Walking Dead star Jansen Panettiere, brother to actress Hayden Panettiere, has passed away at 28.
Jansen Panettiere died on February 19 in New York, according to Deadline. The actor, who was just 28 years old, played Casper in the episode “The Calm Before” on the hit series The Walking Dead in 2019. There is no word yet on the cause of death, as fans mourn the loss of the longtime actor, but police noted that foul play is not suspected.
Despite being only 28 years old, the actor already had a long list of credits to his name. The brother of actress Hayden Panettiere, the star followed his big sister into the limelight when he was just 8 years old, taking the role of Kupchack’s son in the episode “The Big Splash” on Even Stevens. Jansen Panettiere’s breakout role came in 2004 when he played Joey alongside his sister who starred as Maddie Dolan in the Disney Channel original movie Tiger Cruise.
The two worked together again on the film Racing Stripes, although Jansen served as a voice actor while his sister appeared onscreen. Growing up in the industry together, Jansen Panettiere and his sister had a close relationship and posted pictures on Instagram with each other often.
In addition to his time on The Walking Dead, Jansen Panettiere has appeared on a number of other wildly popular shows and movies, including an episode of the kid’s series Blue’s Clues. Getting his start as primarily a voice actor, Jansen took on more onscreen roles later in his career.
Last year, he played the role of Robin in the 2022 film, Love and Love Not. The actor had numerous projects in the works, with many in the post-production stage. Fans can expect to see the beloved star in the upcoming films American Game and Aaah! Roach! Jansen Panettiere also was slated for roles in Horse which is in pre-production, and Justice Angel, still in development.
Despite his young age, the star has an acting career that spans over 10 years. Recently, he showed signs of shifting his focus to other projects. His sister is known for her multi-talented career. She has been known to work as an actor, singer, and model.
Recently, Jansen Panettiere branched out into the visual arts, taking the time to post stunning paintings on his Instagram. Much of his work is abstract and colorful, vibrant and full of life. He painted with a graffiti-like style that is busy and captivating, creating a sense of chaos in an already bustling world.
His canvases included jackets and shoes that he turned from plain garments into stunning works of art. Jansen Panettiere even set up a website so loyal fans could buy copies of his gorgeous works for themselves, plastered on shirts and shoes.
In the wake of his death, fans can enjoy Jansen Panettiere’s legacy both on the big screen and through his artistic work. The star can be remembered for his lengthy acting career and his lineup of impressive credits as well as his unique painting abilities. The Walking Dead actor will be missed by many.
