‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ star dies at 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, PA Media/dpa reported Monday.

A representative for the actress confirmed her death to ABC News on Sunday, saying that her family would remember her for her “incredible light,” which brought “immeasurable love and joy to everyone who knew her,” CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

“With profound sadness, we share the passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to everyone who knew her and to the millions of people who watched her on screen,” her father, Skip, said in a statement.

He also asked for privacy for the family, saying they “need time to process this unimaginable loss.”

No cause of death has been announced.

Panettiere began acting as a child but became known for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember the Titans, alongside Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in the 1998 animated film A Bug’s Life.

She later rose to fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes, before starring as country music singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons in the hit TV series Nashville.

Her film credits include the 2006 movie Bring It On: All or Nothing, the tragicomedy Raising Helen, as well as appearances in Scream 4 and Scream VI as Kirby Reed.

After her rapid rise to fame, the pressures of the entertainment industry began to take a toll on Panettiere. The actress revealed that she struggled with addiction in her 20s.

In a memoir published earlier this year, Panettiere spoke openly about her mental health struggles, the loss of her younger brother Jansen, and her decision to grant full custody of her daughter to her former partner, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

Photo: Instagram/ haydenpanettiere