Hayden Panettiere died in my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday. She would have turned 37 years old today. I remember Panettiere most from the NBC series Heroes, which debuted on September 25, 2006. Panettiere played Claire Bennet, who answered the previously never asked question, “What if Wolverine were a high school cheerleader?”
Panettiere had an impressive career in TV and film but she was also a passionate political activist, advocating for humane treatment of marine life and supporting the Ronald McDonald House charities.
Unfortunately, Panettiere was saddled with a predator posing as a mother who treated her like a steady paycheck instead of a daughter. It’s an all-too common story in Hollywood. Panettiere signed over custody of her own daughter, Kaya, now 11, to her ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, while struggling with post-partum depression and addiction. (Despite what fools like Matt Walsh might say, the former very much exists.)
It’s tragic to consider that Panettiere’s daughter will now connect with her the same way as all of us — through the body of work she leaves behind.
August is almost over, but my special summer subscription sale is still in effect — 40 percent off the usual annual paid subscriber rate. That’s just $30 a year. Thanks to all who have upgraded to paid subscriber status recently.
This week, I wrote about the Wisconsin governor’s race and how polls can prove misleading.
I explained why I think Marvel won’t make Magneto — the racial supremacist super villain — a Holocaust survivor in the new X-Men movies.
I stayed up later than I’d planned and wrote about Angie Nixon’s upset victory over Alex Vindman in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary.
Author and activist Maya Contreras is back for part two of our discussion about Democratic primary politics and the extent of the party’s “big tent.”
That’s it for this week. See you on Monday.
What a terribly sad story. I didn't follow her career but she seems to have been very successful despite predatory relationships and serious mental health issues. Rest easy, Hayden.
RIP Hayden Panettiere.