Hayden Panettiere, who starred in the television series ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ dies at 36

Aug. 17, 2026, 3:48 AM EDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hayden Panettiere, star of popular television series including “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died. She was 36. Panettiere’s father, Skip, announced the actor’s death in a statement provided to ABC News on Sunday. “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,” his statement said. No cause of death was announced, and a publicist for Hayden Panettiere did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press. Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Friday, began her career as a child actor in commercials and soap operas. Her role as a cheerleader w