According to the Associated Press, actor Anton Yelchin has died at the age of 27 in a car accident.
According to TMZ, friends noticed Yelchin was missing around 1 am after he was late to a rehearsal. The actor was discovered pinned to his mailbox by his car at the bottom of a steep driveway at his San Fernando Valley home. The car was in neutral and the engine was still running, according to TMZ. Foul play is not suspected.
Los Angles Police Department spokesperson Jenny Hauser released a statement, confirming some details of his death:
“On Sunday, June 19 at 1:10 in the morning, a fatal traffic collision occurred. It was the result of the victim’s own car rolling backwards down his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence. The victim was on his way to meet his friends for rehearsal. And when he didn’t show up, his friends went to his house, where they found him deceased by his car. It appeared he had momentarily exited his car leaving it in the driveway.”
Yelchin was born in Russia in 1989, and immigrated to the United States as an infant. His first role was in E.R. in 2000, and he had worked as an actor in a number of additional television shows over the following years. He rose to national attention with his role in the film Alpha Dog, before he was cast as Chekov in J.J. Abram’s rebooted Star Trek franchise.
Since Star Trek, he had appeared in films such as Terminator Salvation, Odd Thomas, The Smurfs, and others. He is slated to appear in Rememory, We Don’t Belong Here and this year’s Star Trek Beyond. He was also cast in the upcoming Stephen King adaptation, Mr. Mercedes.
Some of Yelchin’s costars have reacted to the news on Twitter:
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016
I can’t believe it , I m fckn hurting bad !
— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) June 19, 2016
I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist – curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I’m in ruins.
— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) June 19, 2016
our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people… https://t.co/zgTxXmyrbD
— Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) June 19, 2016
Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.
— Justin Lin (@trailingjohnson) June 19, 2016
We’re saddened to report the passing of Anton Yelchin, best known as Chekov @StarTrekMovie https://t.co/dgpY0gSuem pic.twitter.com/EXMCAJsKgx
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) June 19, 2016
So sad to hear this news… pic.twitter.com/fyQajch5kN
— Michael Giacchino (@m_giacchino) June 19, 2016
Other Star Trek alumni and fellow actors have weighed in as well:
Saddened by the tragic loss of a talented, well-loved young actor. Peace to Anton and comfort to his loved ones.
— Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) June 19, 2016
OMG… Nooooo! RT @TrekMovie: Breaking News: Anton Yelchin dead at age 27 – https://t.co/bICL4CawJK pic.twitter.com/8ZosMVPeKZ
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) June 19, 2016
Devastated. Had the pleasure of working with #AntonYelchin what a huge talent yet delightful, sweet and so humble. Heartfelt condolences
— Henry Ian Cusick (@hicusick) June 19, 2016
The sweetest, most humble, delightful, talented guy you’d ever meet. Worked together for about a year. Shocked. https://t.co/uyg2NlmhqP
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) June 19, 2016
This is unreal. Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss.
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) June 19, 2016
Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can’t say anything that conveys what this feels like
— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) June 19, 2016
Terrible news about Anton Yelchin, crazily talented actor gone too soon.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 19, 2016
More as we have it.