Heroes Creator Tim Kring Pays Tribute to Hayden Panettiere in Variety

Tim Kring, creator of NBC's Heroes (2006–2010), published a Variety tribute on 18 August 2026 recalling Hayden Panettiere's audition at age 16 for the role of Claire Bennet. Panettiere, who died on 16 August in Greenville, South Carolina, at age 36, was the face behind the tagline "Save the cheerleader, save the world." Police reported no signs of foul play; a cause of death had not been determined.