Anton Yelchin, Star Trek actor, dies at 27 in freak car accident

Jun 20 2016, 3:50 am

Anton Yelchin, the actor best known for playing Chekov in the new Star Trek movies, has died at the age of 27 after being pinned down by his own car, according to reports.

Jenny Houser, an LAPD spokesperson, told the The Hollywood Reporter the car accident happened in the actor’s own driveway in Los Angeles on Sunday.

“It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death,” she said.

Yelchin came to prominence playing Pavel Chekov in director JJ Abrams’ new Star Trek films; a third film, Star Trek: Beyond, which was shot in Vancouver, is due out in July.

Among Yelchin’s other film credits are Terminator: Salvation, Like Crazy, and recent horror movie Green Room, alongside original Star Trek cast member Patrick Stewart.

According to reports, Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the Star Trek movies, released a statement Sunday upon learning of Yelchin’s death.

“All of us at Paramount join the world in morning the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin. As a member of the Star Trek family, he was beloved by so many and he will missed by all.

“We share our deepest condolences with his mother, father and family.”

JJ Abrams posted a handwritten note on the Twitter account of his production company Bad Robot, reacting to news of Yelchin’s death:

The rest of Hollywood also took to social media to express their condolences. Here’s a selection of messages:

Jenni SheppardJenni Sheppard

+ News
ADVERTISEMENT