Hayden Panettiere remembered for iconic ‘Heroes’ role

Following the recent death of actress Hayden Panettiere at age 36, colleagues and fans are reflecting on her breakout role in the NBC series ‘Heroes’. The show’s pilot, which aired on September 26, 2006, featured Panettiere as Claire Bennet, an indestructible teenager.

Executive producer Tim Kring praised Panettiere’s acting ability, noting her extraordinary gift for emotional range. He recalled how she could transition instantly from personal activities, such as texting, to delivering intense, sobbing performances the moment the camera rolled.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office in South Carolina recently ruled Panettiere’s death as accidental. Her performance in ‘Heroes’ remains a significant milestone in genre television, helping the series reach 14 million viewers during its first season.