US actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere, best known for her roles in US TV shows "Heroes" and "Nashville," has died aged 36, US media reports said.

"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," Panettiere's father, Skip, was quoted by ABC news as saying.

The cause of Panettiere's death has not yet been announced. Her father has urged for privacy.

Panettiere began her career as a child actor, featuring in commercials and soap operas.

She gained ‌widespread recognition as the voice of Dot, the young princess ant in Pixar's 1998 animated success "A ​Bug's Life."

She earned a Grammy nomination for the film's children's spoken word album recorded a few years after its release.

Panettiere catapulted to fame with her role as Claire Bennett — a high school cheerleader ​with super powers —  on NBC's television series "Heroes," which debuted in 2006 and went on to be a hit.

She also starred as up-and-coming country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on the musical drama "Nashville."