Anton Yelchin, who was best known as Chekov in the new Star Trek series of movies, died Sunday afternoon at the age of 27 following a “freak” car accident at his Los Angeles home.
Yelchin, who recently wrapped the third Star Trek film in J.J. Abrams’s rebooted series, was killed when his car, which rolled backwards downhill, pinned him against a brick mailbox and a security fence. Authorities say Yelchin had “momentarily left his car,” when it trapped him. His car, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, had been recalled for a roll-away risk.
Yelchin was due at rehearsals Sunday morning for a new film. When co-stars realized he was late, they tracked him down and found him at his home.
Yelchin, the son of two stars of the Leningrad Ice Ballet, was born in 1989 and emigrated with his parents to the US when he was just six months old. He remained mostly under the radar, with bit roles on television’s E.R., until being cast in cult favorite Alpha Dog several years ago.
Fans of the Star Trek series, including celebrities and his Star Trek cast mates, as well as Star Trek legends, took to social media to mourn Yelchin’s passing.
His work was excellent and there is no question that he will be very much missed.