Hayden Panettiere, the actress many viewers grew up watching in ‘Heroes‘ and ‘Nashville‘, has died at 36. Her representative confirmed the heartbreaking news on Sunday evening, ending a career spanning more than three decades.
Panettiere began acting before she could even walk and later became one of television’s most recognizable stars. Panettiere’s journey took her from commercials and daytime soaps to major films, award nominations and two career-defining roles fans will never forget.
Hayden Panettiere’s Representative Confirms Her Death
A representative for Panettiere confirmed her death to ABC News on Sunday evening. No cause of death was immediately announced. Panettiere’s family also requested privacy while dealing with the devastating loss.
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“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,” Panettiere’s rep said in a statement.
Fans knew Panettiere best as Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. She also appeared in Scream 4, Ice Princess and I Love You, Beth Cooper. Nashville earned her two Golden Globe nominations and allowed audiences to experience both her acting and singing skills.
Hayden Panettiere Began Acting Before Turning One
Born Hayden Lesley Panettiere on Aug. 21, 1989, she grew up in Palisades, New York. Entertainment became part of her life almost instantly. Panettiere’s mother, Loving actress Lesley Vogel, helped her enter the industry, and the future star began appearing in commercials at only 11 months old.
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She landed her first major television role in 1994 as Sarah Roberts on ‘One Life to Live‘. Panettiere played the recurring character for three years before joining Guiding Light as Lizzie Spaulding from 1996 to 2000.
More roles soon arrived. Panettiere appeared in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘ and played Maddie Harrington, the long-lost daughter of Calista Flockhart’s character, during Ally McBeal’s final season. Panettiere also appeared in ‘Remember the Titans‘, ‘Ice Princess‘ and ‘A Bug’s Life‘.
Panettiere later secured her major breakthrough as the seemingly indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in ‘Heroes‘ before delivering another career-defining performance as Juliette Barnes in ‘Nashville‘.
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