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Remember the Titans star Ethan Suplee made a confession about his heroin use while paying tribute to his late costar Hayden Panettiere.
“September 23, 2000, was the night of the Remember the Titans premiere at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,” Suplee, 50, wrote in an essay shared via his Substack page on Monday, August 17. “On the red carpet, Hayden Panettiere, the 10-year-old girl from the movie, ran up to me, leapt into my arms, and gave me a big hug. Holding her, I was lighter, some of her energy and innocence washed over me, and for a moment my smile was genuine.”
Suplee added, “I went from the press line to the bathroom and smoked heroin.”
The actor then recalled smoking heroin in the bathroom as the movie played. He felt better when he ran into Panettiere at the end of the premiere.
“I saw Hayden one last time, as we made our way out of the stadium. Once again, she leapt into my arms, and once again I felt some relief,” he wrote. “I didn’t die of an accidental overdose that night. But I went to bed believing I wouldn’t wake up, and that didn’t seem so bad. Better than whatever a new day offered.”
Suplee concluded by citing the deaths of Panettiere and actor Harold Pruett, who died of an accidental drug overdose in February 2002 at age 32.
“I feel a tremendous sense of loss today, I don’t know what they were going through at the end. I only know that for them, the battle is over. And I’m sad,” he wrote. “The miracle of my life wasn’t just asking for help, it was finding the courage to accept it. Something that seemed impossible.”
Remember the Titans, which is based on a true story, follows coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) as he attempts to integrate the T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Suplee played team member Louie Lastik, while Panettiere played Cheryl Yoast, the daughter of assistant coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). The sports drama also starred Ryan Hurst, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Kate Bosworth and Ryan Gosling.
Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death to Us on Sunday, August 16. She was 36.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” he said in a statement. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.”
Authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, confirmed on Monday that officers responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence, later identified as Hayden, and a possible “drug overdose.” (Hayden struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years prior to her death.)
“The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” authorities said in a statement. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.”
An autopsy found that “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” the Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Monday. The cause and manner of Panettiere’s death “remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies.”
“On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest,” the coroner’s office said in a statement. “First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.”
The statement concluded, “This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
