Jonathan Jackson is paying a heartfelt tribute to Hayden Panettiere following her passing at the age of 36 on Sunday, August 16. Jackson took to social media to share a moving message alongside a collection of photos featuring himself and Panettiere over the years.
Key Takeaways
- Jackson remembered Panettiere as a close friend.
- The two worked together on Nashville.
- He praised her talent, humor and compassion.
- Panettiere died at 36 on August 16.
Jonathan Jackson Remembers Hayden Panettiere
“I have no words to express the loss of our beloved Hayden. She had such a bright light within her,” Jackson shared.
“She was a sensitive soul. Incredibly funny and witty. Amazingly gifted, with a great sense of empathy and compassion. We both grew up in the industry, although she started even younger than me, but we shared that. A silent knowing of how intense the struggles can be. She was an absolute joy to work with. Focused, spontaneous and brilliant,” he penned.
Jackson recalls, “The most important thing between friends and coworkers is trust, and we had this. Elisa and I both love and cherish her deeply, like our own sister. She holds that place in our hearts. My prayer for her every day we worked together was that she would know how loved she is, and that she would find the peace that she was looking for. It’s not possible to express the shock and grief that so many of us feel right now. Our humble prayers are with her family. May God’s angels carry you to your place of rest and true peace. We love you Hayden. You will always be in our hearts. Always.”
An Unforgettable On-Screen Connection
On the hit musical drama Nashville, Jackson played Avery Barkley, an aspiring musician with a bad-boy streak. While his character started out in a relationship with Scarlett, he eventually formed a deep, tumultuous, on-again, off-again romance with country superstar Juliette Barnes, played by Panettiere. The two characters shared a daughter on the show, and their undeniable chemistry made them one of the series’ most beloved couples throughout its run.
Shared Roots in Daytime Television
Beyond their time together in Music City, both actors shared a deep history in daytime television. Panettiere famously got her start on soap operas as a child actress, playing Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live and Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light.
Meanwhile, Jackson is legendary among soap fans for his celebrated, on-and-off run as Lucky Spencer on General Hospital. His powerful portrayal of Lucky has earned him six Daytime Emmy Awards over the course of his career.
What was your favorite moment between Jonathan Jackson and Hayden Panettiere on Nashville? Leave your thoughts and condolences in the comments below.
Photo: Jackson’s Instagram.
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