Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died early this morning after being involved in a freak car accident at his Los Angeles home.
The Russian-born star’s publicist has confirmed the sad news, releasing a statement saying the 27-year-old was “killed in a fatal traffic collision”.
“His family requests you respect their privacy at this time,” the publicist said.
Anton at a 2009 Star Trek premiere with his co-stars Bruce Greenwood, John Cho, Zachary Quinto and Eric Bana. Photo: Getty
TMZ reported that the young star’s friends became concerned when he failed to show up to a rehearsal.
The friends went to check on the 27-year-old at his home in the San Fernando Valley at about 1 am (US time) and found him pinned between his car and a brick mailbox attached to a gate.
Police say the engine was still running and the car had been in neutral and rolled down the steep incline.
They also say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.
Meanwhile, stars have already started tweeting their condolences for the bright young actor.
“This is unreal,” Anna Kendrick said. “Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss.”
See Anton discuss how nervous he was to meet the original Chekov from Star Trek. Post continues below.
Actor Josh Gad, from the new live action Beauty and the Beast film, tweeted: “In absolute shock over the loss of Anton Yelchin. Absolutely horrible.”
Director Drake Doremus, who worked with Anton on the 2011 independent hit Like Crazy, paid tribute to the actor’s sense of humour and work ethic in a statement provided to Variety.
“Anton was one a of a kind. Such an old soul who was one of the most sincere but also funniest people I have ever met,” he told the publication.
“He taught me what being a humble and hard working artist is all about. His laugh was the best sound in the world, it was so contagious and comforting. He was always up to something to make you laugh especially if you were getting frustrated or being too serious. Anton changed my life in so many ways and I’ll never forget him,” he said.
Anton was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, but moved to the United States with his parents Viktor and Irina when he was just six months old. He began his career in Hollywood as a child actor, in films such as Along Came a Spider and the television miniseries Taken, which was produced by Steven Spielberg.
As an adult, he rose to fame in the Star Trek films and also appeared in Fright Night, Charlie Bartlett and Alpha Dog. He had already filmed his role in the next Star Trek film, which is due for release later this year, before his untimely death.
Star Trek director J.J Abrams has since taken to Twitter to remember the actor in a touching note, writing, “Anton – you were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing you … JJ.”
Anton with director Drake Doremus and actress Felicity Jones, who he worked with on the 2011 film Like Crazy. Photo: Getty
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