Celebrity Smackdown

The father of "Heroes" teen star Hayden Panettiere was charged on Thursday with assaulting his wife at their home in West Hollywood last month.

Alan Panettiere, 49, was charged with misdemeanor battery and could face up to a year in jail if convicted, Los Angeles prosecutors said.

Lesley Panettiere called authorities saying that her husband hit her on the cheek after the couple came home from a charity event hosted by their daughter on August 10, police said at the time.

The couple put on a united front after he was released from custody several hours after his arrest.

Hayden Panettiere, 19, who plays a cheerleader with healing powers on the TV drama, told reporters last month that the incident had been blown out of proportion and that her family "is wonderful -- so very happy".

Alan Panettiere is expected to make his first court appearance in October.


'Heroes' teen star has said her family is 'wonderful -- so very happy'


Isn't this that midget skank that's dating her co-star who is in his mid-thirties?

Yeah, what a WONDERFUL family! Keep up the good work. This is like Lohan-lite.