‘Heroes’ Star Jack Coleman Defends Hayden Panettiere, Calls Out “Predatory” Paparazzi Who “Hunted” Her as a Teen

Jack Coleman is remembering his former “Heroes” co-star Hayden Panettiere after her death at 36, while also speaking openly about the intense pressure and unwanted attention she faced as a young actor.

Coleman, who played Claire Bennet’s father Noah Bennet on NBC’s “Heroes,” shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. He posted several photos of himself with Panettiere from their years working together and described their connection as one that began from the very first day on set.

“I’m heartbroken. I couldn’t begin to put my thoughts into words until now, and they will be inadequate,” Coleman wrote.

He recalled meeting Panettiere during the pilot for “Heroes,” which premiered in 2006. According to Coleman, she immediately treated him like a father figure, shouting “daddy” and running toward him with her arms open. From then on, he said, she called him “daddio.”

Coleman also remembered calling her “Haydini,” a nickname inspired by her ability to bring something special to her work.

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But his tribute was not only about their friendship. Coleman used the post to talk about what Panettiere experienced as a teenager while becoming one of the most recognizable young stars on television.

He pointed to the way reporters treated her when she was still very young. By the time she was 17, Panettiere had become one of the biggest names associated with “Heroes,” and Coleman said she was repeatedly asked questions about whether she would eventually lose control of her life or career.

“By 17 she was #1 on IMDB Pro. She was routinely asked obnoxious questions, mostly some version of ‘when are you going to go off the rails?’” he wrote. “Today, we’d recognize those questions for the misogynistic provocations they were.”

Coleman also described the paparazzi attention surrounding Panettiere as especially aggressive. He said photographers followed her closely and used powerful camera lenses to capture images that could make normal moments appear suspicious or controversial.

“She was hunted. Everywhere she went, there were photographers with 300 millimeter lenses — the kind that can make even the most innocent activity look sinister,” Coleman wrote.

He recalled one particularly disturbing incident in which paparazzi allegedly hid near his home when Panettiere visited, even driving onto neighbors’ lawns.

“They were predatory. No one, especially a teenager, should be targeted that way,” he added.

Coleman’s comments come as other members of the “Heroes” cast and creative team have shared memories of Panettiere. “Heroes” creator Tim Kring previously described her as a uniquely talented performer who brought both emotional depth and humor to the series. Other co-stars have also remembered her kindness toward crew members and fellow performers.

Panettiere died on Aug. 17 at age 36, five days before her 37th birthday. Her representative confirmed her death to ABC News, while a cause of death was not immediately known. Police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.

For Coleman, however, the focus remains on remembering the person behind the fame. He ended his tribute by describing Panettiere as someone who was deeply sensitive and vulnerable, qualities he believed made her such a powerful actor.

“She was vulnerable. She felt everything. It made her a remarkable actor and susceptible to the heartache and thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to,” Coleman wrote.

His tribute offers both a personal farewell and a pointed reminder of what Panettiere endured while growing up in the public eye.