New Delhi, Aug. 25 -- Hayden Panettiere, star of popular television series including "Heroes" and "Nashville," has died. She was 36.

Panettiere's father, Skip, announced the actor's death in a statement provided to ABC News on Sunday.

"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," his statement said.

No cause of death was announced, and a publicist for Hayden Panettiere did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press.

Panettiere, who would have turned 37 on Friday, began her career as a child actor in commercials and soap ope...