Hayden Panettiere visits "Late Show with David Letterman" in NY

Actress Hayden Panettiere leaves a taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York, Monday, July 6, 2009.

Hayden Panettiere's dad gets probation for assault

The father of "Heroes" teen star Hayden Panettiere pleaded no contest to assaulting his wife and was sentenced to two years' probation, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Thursday.

Alan Panettiere, 49, could have been sentenced to up to one year in jail for the misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an August 2008, assault on his wife, Lesley.

He was not charged with a felony, which is a more serious category of crime.

As well as sentencing Panettiere to probation, Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel imposed on him a year of domestic violence counseling and $400 in fines.

She also ordered Panettiere to not harm or annoy his wife.

Hayden Panettiere, 19, plays a cheerleader with healing powers on the television drama "Heroes."

Hayden Panettiere stars in 'Got Milk' campaign

Teenage actress Hayden Panettiere's fame is clearly on the rise, as the Heroes star has been accorded one of the celebrity world's highest accolades - as the latest milk-mustachioed face of the "Got Milk?" advertising campaign in the US.

The actress - who plays Claire Bennet in the hit series which is being shown on BBC2 - will appear in new print ads next month, which were shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Hayden Panettiere is the latest in a long line of celebrities to becomethe face of the Got Milk? advertising campaign in the US

Save the cheerleader: Hayden plays cheerleader and student Claire Bennetin the hit US show which is broadcast on BBC2

Panettiere, who celebrated her 18th birthday last week, wears a red dress and the famous milk moustache in the commercials, which show her holding an exploding glass of milk, accompanied by the slogan: "You don't have to be a hero to feel invincible. That's why I drink milk."

She joins an elite list of celebrities including Britney Spears, David Beckham, and Beyonce who have fronted the campaign to encourage youngsters to drink three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk a day.