Hayden Panettiere Dies: “Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’ & ‘Scream’ Star Was 36

Hayden Panettiere Storm Santos Hayden Panettiere, who is best known for playing the superpowered cheerleader on NBC’s Heroes, has died at the age of 36. Her rep confirmed the news to ABC. “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,” her rep said in a statement. Panettiere was a child star who appeared in commercials and had a four-year run as Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live (1994 to 1997), and then on The Guiding Light as Lizzie Spaulding. She made her big screen debut at the age of 9 in A Bug’s Life. The same year she also appeared in The Object of My Affection. In 2000, she played the daughter of a coach in the Denzel Washington starrer Remember the Titans. In 2004, Panettiere landed her first starring roles a the daughter of actor Bill Pullman’s character in Tiger Cruise on The Disney Channel. More… Watch on Deadline Must Read Stories Read More About: Subscribe to Deadline Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Sign Up