American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in hit television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.
Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement provided to ABC News on Sunday, describing his daughter as an “incredible light and a force of nature” who brought joy to both those who knew her personally and millions who watched her on screen.
No cause of death has been disclosed. Panettiere’s publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
The actress, who would have turned 37 on Friday, began working in the entertainment industry as a child, appearing in commercials before securing roles in television soap operas.
Her breakthrough came in 2006 with the NBC series Heroes, in which she played Claire Bennet, a high-school cheerleader with regenerative abilities.
The character became central to the show’s first season and its memorable phrase, “Save the cheerleader, save the world,” helping propel Panettiere to international recognition.
She later became widely known for starring in the musical drama Nashville, further establishing herself as a prominent television actress.