Hayden Panettiere’s 'Guiding Light' dad remembers her on 37th birthday: 'Pure, infectious joy'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Hayden Panettiere died at 36, just five days before her 37th birthday. Following her sudden passing, several celebrities have opened up about their memories of Panettiere and the impact she had on their lives and careers.
Panettiere’s 'Guiding Light' co-star Grant Aleksander recently opened up about his memories of the actress, recalling her as a free-spirited teenager.
Hayden Panettiere’s 'Guiding Light' dad Grant Aleksander remembers her
Aleksander spoke with 'The Locher Room' podcast's Alan Locher to share a touching tribute. “When I think of Hayden, the first image that comes is of her running down the hall in the studio with a huge, toothy grin on her face,” he began.
Reflecting on his time with Panettiere, who played his on-screen daughter Lizzie Spaulding between 1996 and 2000 in the series, the actor shared that she was always “Pure, infectious joy.”
“And that’s what she gave to us. Pure, infectious joy. That and a talent that belied her years. She was a natural with an instinctive understanding of acting that most adult actors can only dream of possessing,” he continued.
“But that’s not what I’ll remember most about her. It’s that sunshine she brought to all of us that were lucky enough to be in her orbit that will stay with me.” He couldn’t stop praising his on-screen daughter.
“I’ll always cherish the years I got to be her TV Dad. I wish I could have seen her one more time just to tell her how proud I was of her. She’s left us way too soon. We can only hope that she’s finally found the peace that eluded her in her short life. Rest in peace Princess!” he concluded.
Hayden Panettiere’s co-stars pay tribute following sudden death
Several of Panettiere’s former co-stars have come forward to remember the actress following her sudden death. Her 'Heroes' co-star Jack Coleman shared a lengthy tribute, recalling their first meeting and how their bond grew as they played an on-screen father and daughter.
"I’ve loved Hayden since day one of the pilot of Heroes, 20 years ago, when she introduced herself by shouting “daddy” and throwing her arms around me. From that day on, she called me daddio. She was Haydini, because she was a magician," he wrote.
Jonathan Jackson, who co-starred with Panettiere on 'Nashville' for all six seasons, remembered the late actress as a “sensitive soul” who was “incredibly funny and witty.”
Beyond the tributes, Panettiere’s death has also raised questions about how young actors are treated in Hollywood, particularly by the paparazzi. Her passing has brought renewed attention to her journey in the entertainment industry, from her early days on 'Guiding Light' to her later roles in 'Heroes' and 'Nashville'.
