The cast of “Heroes” got together to celebrate the life of their co-star Hayden Panettiere, who died on Aug. 16 at 36 years old.
“A ‘HEROES’ reunion to celebrate the life of HAYDEN was deeply emotional,” series star Jimmy Jean-Louis wrote on X, sharing photos of himself with his former castmates. “There was sadness in our hearts, but also so much love, gratitude and warmth as we remembered the beautiful moments shared and the lasting impact of a life that touched so many. Au revoir Hayden.”
Panettiere’s death was announced via a statement from her father, Skip Panettiere, 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.”
Several members of the “Heroes” family spoke out after news broke of Panettiere’s death. Jack Coleman, who played her father on the NBC drama, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“I’m heartbroken. I couldn’t begin to put my thoughts into words until now, and they will be inadequate,” Coleman wrote. “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.”
“Heroes” creator Tim Kring penned a guest essay for Variety about Panettiere after her death. In it, he wrote, “Hayden was a true team player, which was important for a show with a large ensemble cast. She was levelheaded beyond her years as a person and singularly talented as an actor, with an almost savant-like quality about her work. It wasn’t just that Hayden could learn lines with ease — it was her rare ability to find and explore the nuances of drama and humor and pathos in any scene she was in.”