Hayden Panettiere has died: The Heroes & Nashville star passed away at age 36
She began acting at a young age
Hayden Panettiere has passed away. The actress was known for her roles in the series "Heroes" and "Nashville," among others. No further details about her death have been released so far, according to multiple media reports.
Among others, ABC News has published a statement from her father, Skip Panettiere. It reads:
"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."
In light of this loss, her father asked for privacy for the grieving family.
Panettiere was known to a global audience through Heroes and Nashville
Most viewers are likely to remember Hayden Panettiere primarily from the two series "Heroes" and "Nashville". In "Heroes", she portrayed Claire Bennet, a cheerleader who played a central role in the story. Like most of the other main actors in the ensemble cast – including Milo Ventimiglia and Zachary Quinto – she played a character with superpowers; in her case, she had the ability to heal even the most severe injuries in a very short amount of time. In "Nashville," she also took on a leading role as Juliette Barnes. Alongside Connie Britton, she portrayed an up-and-coming country singer. Her performance in the role also garnered attention at award ceremonies; among other honors, she received nominations at the Critics' Choice Television Awards, Golden Globes, People's Choice Awards, and Teen Choice Awards.
These two roles likely contributed the most to her international fame. However, over the course of her decades-long career, she has also appeared in numerous other series and films. Among her best-known film projects in recent years was the horror movie sequel "Scream VI."
Acting from a young age
Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Hayden Panettiere began acting at a young age. Her filmography includes various roles dating back to 1998. Panettiere's memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," was published just this past May, in which she discussed, among other things, growing up in the spotlight as a child star. About three years ago, she told Entertainment Tonight:
"My introduction to acting was actually at 11 months old. Playskool Toy Train was my first commercial, but, I don't know if that would really be an introduction to acting, because I don't think acting was involved at that point. I didn't have lines, I was just playing."
In addition to acting, she also made headlines for her relationship with Wladimir Klitschko. She was in a relationship with the famous boxer from 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2018. In 2014, the couple had a daughter named Kaya.