Hayden Panettiere, 'Heroes' star, dies at 36, father confirms

Hayden Panettiere, best known for playing Claire Bennet on NBC's superhero drama 'Heroes' and Juliette Barnes on ABC's 'Nashville,' has died at the age of 36. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed the tragic news in a statement to ABC News on Sunday, saying, '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.' No cause of death was provided, and her publicist did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Panettiere's career began early, with appearances in commercials and soap operas as a child actor. Her breakout role came in 2006 when she was cast as Claire Bennet in 'Heroes,' a series built around the famous mantra, 'Save the cheerleader, save the world.' The role made her a household name and earned her critical acclaim. She later starred as Juliette Barnes in 'Nashville' from 2012 to 2018, further cementing her status as a television star. She would have turned 37 on Friday, just days after her passing. Fans and colleagues have begun paying tribute to the actress, remembering her as both a talented performer and a compassionate advocate for mental health and animal rights.