Hayden Panettiere: Hollywood Reacts To Death Of Heroes And Nashville Star

Hollywood is paying tribute to the late Hayden Panettiere, who died Sunday at the age of 36. 

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father Skip Panettiere said in a statement to ABC News. "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 former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shared 11-year-old daughter Kaya, also mourned her passing.

"Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," he wrote. "The announcement of Hayden's tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.

"She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry," Klitschko continued. "Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives. To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was."

Klitschko extended his condolences to Panettiere's parents, friends, and fans, before asking that his family's privacy be respected: "For now, this is all I wish to say. Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace."

Panettiere's "Heroes" co-star Sendhil Ramamurthy shared a lengthy remembrance, recalling that the actress was "already a pro" when they first met at his final screen test for the NBC drama. "I learned a lot from her," he wrote. "She stuck up for background actors when they were mistreated, knew every crew member's name, and was so generous with her time." He remembered Panettiere as "a kind, joyful, professional, sh*t-talker," adding: "RIP Hayd. You will be missed."

Fellow "Heroes" alum Masi Oka also eulogized Panettiere on X, writing: "Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Hayden. I had the privilege of working closely with her, and I'll always remember her for her beautiful spirit, immense talent, and the joyful energy she brought to everything she did and the people around her. She was way wiser beyond her years and now gone too soon."

"Heroes" vet Greg Grunberg wrote: "This doesn't make any sense. So talented, so kind, so loving, so funny, so fearless, so professional, so caring, so young, and will be so missed by so many. I remember when I first worked with her, preparing myself for a diva. Man, did she shatter that expectation. I learned so much from her. Watching how she carried herself on and off the set. She was wise and kind beyond her years."

Another "Heroes" co-star, James Kyson, remembered Panettiere as "a fierce protector of animal rights and a 'cheerleader' for kindness, justice, and people being treated fairly." He also encouraged his followers to "send some love out to the world, our loved ones, and to those who need it most today."

And Jack Coleman, who played Panettiere's on-screen dad Noah Bennet on "Heroes," recalled the first time he met her. "I've loved Hayden since day one of the pilot of 'Heroes,' 20 years ago, when she introduced herself by shouting "daddy" and throwing her arms around me. From that day on, she called me daddio. She was Haydini, because she was a magician."

Connie Britton, who starred opposite Panettiere on the ABC-turned-CMT country music drama "Nashville," shared a carousel of photos with the caption: "This was Hayden. Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now."

Britton's "Nashville" co-star Charles Esten shared his own tribute to Panettiere on Instagram: "We became fast friends, working very hard to play those two troubled Nashvillians, but always having fun and laughing a whole lot along the way. She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette. What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend."

"Nashville" alum Sam Palladio shared his own lengthy remembrance, recalling that he was "spellbound" by Panettiere's talent long before he was cast opposite her on the ABC drama. "I sat and watched your skill on set that had been keenly perfected after years of hard work and hoped one day to shine as brightly as you did," he wrote. "It's not lost on me that myself and all my 'Nashville' castmates are here in no small part because of your shine, and your magnetism on and off screen.... For now, I'm sending love to you sweet Hayden. I know we'll all come together in the following days to pay beautiful tribute. Rest now and be free."

Jonathan Jackson, who played Avery opposite Panettiere's Juliette in "Nashville," posted on Instagram that his former co-star was "an absolute joy to work with. Focused, spontaneous and brilliant." He continued: "My prayer for her every day we worked together was that she would know how loved she is, and that she would find the peace that she was looking for. It's not possible to express the shock and grief that so many of us feel right now.

Viola Davis, who appeared with Panettiere in the films "Architect" (2006) and "Custody" (2016), remembered her as "an old, wise soul with such a deep heart. I wish the world had more time with you because I had a burning curiosity about who you were becoming. I saw this beautiful Phoenix rising from the ashes. Your tests became your testimony, and your testimony became your legacy. You will be remembered. Rest well, Hayden. Sending healing prayers to your family, your daughter, and all who loved you. May they always speak your name."

Panettiere's "Scream 4" co-stars David Arquette and Emma Roberts also paid tribute. Arquette wrote on Instagram, "Sending my love to Hayden and her family. She was such a brave and brilliant soul," while Roberts wrote, "Rest in peace my sweet friend. You are so loved and you will be forever missed."

"Scream 6" co-star Melissa Barrera also paid her respects, writing: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden."

Kim Cattrall, who played mother to Panettiere's Gen Harwood in the film "Ice Princess," wrote: "Rest in peace sweet Hayden. Gone far too soon."

Bethany Joy Lenz, who starred opposite Panettiere on the CBS soap opera "Guiding Light," shared a lengthy tribute reflecting on their connection over the ensuing 27 years.

"There is nothing that posting pictures on the internet can do. I avoid it usually in moments like this. But I'm here with my head in my hands and I don't know what else to do aside from praying for her soul, which I have done and will continue," Lenz's statement began. "I'm crushed. I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? 10? I was 18. She ran through the Screen Gem studio hallways at 222 E44th St. laughing and playing games in between blocking and camera rehearsals. Long, unruly curls trailing behind her.

"She knew her lines and everyone else's. Her intelligence was astonishing," Lenz continued. "She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I'd ever seen on camera. And she'd sit with you for a great conversation, then giggle and go play. We'd connect on and off over the years, like the cousin in the family reunion who got famous and life moved her away — but I always felt such joy seeing her when we were lucky enough to cross paths. We'd make a pact to talk soon. Lunch. Dinner. Somewhere we could curl up into a corner — but we never quite made it happen. I mostly stayed up to date through mutual friends.

"I don't understand how this is real. Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming back to life, wasn't she? It's too young and there's still so much more life. And her daughter.... Hayden, you are surrounded by love," she wrote. "I'm sorry for every moment I didn't reach out or check in. This can't be real."