Rhiannon Ingle
The Disney and Nickelodeon star, Jansen Panettiere, has sadly passed away at the age of 28 on Sunday (19 February) in New York.
Jansen, who is the younger brother of actress Hayden Panettiere, made appearances in hit television shows and films like Even Stevens, Blue’s Clues, Ice Age: The Meltdown and The Walking Dead.
According to Deadline, Jansen's rep confirmed the news of his passing but did not provide a cause of death or other details.
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Jansen first rose to fame back in the early 2000s as a voice actor before making his debut appearance as the character Kupchack's Son on Disney Channel’s Even Stevens back in 2002.
The American comedy television series went on for three seasons and an impressive 65 episodes with the likes of Shia LaBeouf, Steven Anthony Lawrence and A.J. Trauth also joining the young actor.
The next year, Jansen went on to act in the family sitcom Hope & Faith as well as the crime drama series, Third Watch.
His first acting role in a movie followed shortly after in 2004 with Tiger Cruise when he landed the part of Joey acting alongside his big sister Hayden Panettiere, who starred as Madeline 'Maddie' Dolan.
Following some years of voice acting on projects like Blue's Clues, Racing Stripes and Robots - the young actor landed a role in a huge franchise in 2006.
Voicing the character called Shovelmouth Boy, Jansen starred in the 2006 blockbuster hit Ice Age: The Meltdown.
In 2006, Jansen also made an appearance on Everybody Hates Chris as Peter.
Flash-forward some years to 2019 and Jansen landed the part of Casper in the American horror drama series, The Walking Dead.
Jansen's character was seen in season nine, episode 15 of the show, titled 'The Calm Before'.
The actor was also an artist and regularly posted pictures of his artwork on Instagram and on his website.
The news has devastated many fans and actors alike who had worked with Jansen.
Actor Charles Heimlich paid tribute to him on Facebook: "I just learned of the Passing of Jansen Panettiere. I am at a loss of words this is so sad My Heart goes out to Him And his family My sincere condolences and Prayers."
Additionally, actress Leslie K Nelson shared a picture of Jansen and his sister Hayden writing: "Kinda quiet, such a cutie, with a mischievous smirk. RIP young one. Jansen Charz Panettiere."