According to Deadline, the cast of NBC’s Heroes reunited to celebrate the life of their departed costar, Hayden Panettiere (Sleepwalker, A Breed Apart). The actress died on Saturday August 15, 2026 in South Carolina.
Actor and Heroes costar Jimmy Jean-Louis (Tu Viens D’où, Disney Jr.’s Ariel) posted photos of the cast together on Threads: “A HEROES reunion to celebrate the life of HAYDEN was deeply emotional. 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.”
According to Deadline, Jack Coeman (Chicago P.D., Leverage: Redemption), the actor who played Panettiere’s father, issued this statement regarding her passing: “I love you, Hayden. I’ll miss you. I’m so sorry you suffered. I’ll remember how happy you were on set and on the European press tour; how you championed Tess when she was being bullied; your commitment to animal welfare and the courage to put yourself in harm’s way to protect them. I only wish you had been given that same protection.”
Heroes aired from 2006 to 2010, and followed ordinary people that discovered they possessed extraordinary powers. Panettiere played Claire Bennett, a young teen central to the overall plot of “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World.” The cast consists of Jean-Louis, Coleman, Milo Ventimiglia (I Will Find You, I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario), Masi Oka (Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, Blue Eye Samurai), Greg Grunberg (Duster, The Holiday Junkie), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Welcome to the Gishbowl, One Piece), James Kyson (Wylde Pak, Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake), Zachary Quinto (The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Brilliant Minds), Adrian Pasdar (Sabre: A Fencer’s Story, The Exorcism), Ali Larter (Landman, Spin the Bottle), Cristine Rose (Sharp Objects, How to Get Away with Murder), Ashley Crow (The Cleaning Lady, The Other People), and Noah Gray-Cabey (Fog City, The Codes of War).
Panettiere will be missed but her work will never be forgotten. Heroes is currently streaming on Netflix and Tubi.
View on Threads