Actress Hayden Panettiere, star of US TV shows Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36, BBC reports.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement to the BBC and other media.
"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."
The details surrounding her death were not immediately available.
Panettiere played a cheerleader with superpowers in Heroes and had other memorable roles, including in films Remember the Titans and Raising Helen.
Skip Panettiere has asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss", in a statement issued through her representative. Beginning her career as a child actor, Panettiere was just four years old when she was cast on the popular US soap opera One Life to Live.
She voiced Dot in Pixar's A Bug's Life before gaining wider recognition when she starred alongside Denzel Washington in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans.
She later rose to wider fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in cult sci-fi series Heroes, which ran from 2006 to 2010.
Her role as up-and-coming country singer Juliette Barnes in TV series Nashville earned her two Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress.
Panettiere's Scream co-star Melissa Barrera has paid tribute to the actress in an Instagram story, writing "Rest in peace sweet Hayden", alongside a broken heart emoji.
On her Instagram stories, Singer JoJo wrote: "This is such devastating news. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Oh My God."
Actress Selma Blair commented under Panettiere's latest social media with: "I love you. Don't be gone. Don't be gone. Please. Please."
Actors' union Sag-Aftra, of which the actress had been a member since 1994, also paid tribute.
"Our hearts are with her daughter, family, friends & fans."
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