‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ star Hayden Panettiere dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, the former child star who gained international recognition for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," passed away at the age of 36, according to a statement from her representative. Her father, Skip Panettiere, expressed profound sadness over her untimely death, describing her as an "incredible light" who brought immense joy to those around her.

Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age, appearing in commercials and television shows. She gained widespread fame in 2006 when she starred as Claire Bennet on the popular NBC series "Heroes." Her portrayal of the character earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

Later in her career, Panettiere took on the role of Juliette Barnes in the musical drama "Nashville," which ran from 2012 to 2018 and also earned her two Golden Globe nominations. In addition to her acting career, Panettiere was involved in various projects, including singing for "Nashville" and receiving a Grammy nomination. She also lent her voice to animated films and video games.

In her later years, Panettiere opened up about her struggles with addiction, postpartum depression, trauma, and recovery, which she shared in her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning." The book detailed her career, which began before her first birthday, and the challenges she faced while growing up in the public eye. Panettiere had one daughter, Kaya, with former boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Her death occurred just months after the publication of her memoir, marking one of her most open and detailed accounts of her life, from her early days in commercials to becoming one of the most recognizable young television stars of her generation.