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29 March 2024

'Star Trek' actor Anton Yelchin dies in freak car accident

FILE - In this June 11, 2015, file photo, Anton Yelchin arrives at a special screening of "Burying the Ex" held at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. Yelchin, a charismatic and rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new 'Star Trek' films, has died at the age of 27. (AP)

Published
By Bindu Rai with Agencies

In an outpouring of grief, friends and celebrity co-workers paid emotional tributes to actor Anton Yelchin, who was killed in a freak accident on Sunday.

The ‘Star Trek’ actor, who was in Dubai last year for the filming of the next installment of the sci-fi franchise, was killed when his car rolled backward down his driveway and pinned him against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence at his home in Studio City.

The 27-year-old actor was en route to meet friends at a rehearsal, according to Los Angeles police Officer Jenny Hosier, as reported by AFP. When he didn’t show, the group reached Yelchin’s home and found him dead.

Fellow ‘Star Trek’ cast members posted emotional messages over the loss of their ‘dear friend’, with fellow actor Karl Urban saying: “I can’t believe it. I’m hurting bad!”


Reuters

Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the franchise, wrote: “Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know.

“So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.”

Justin Lin, who directed Yelchin, said: “Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.”


In Dubai

After news broke on Sunday afternoon, celebrities quickly took to social media to mourn the late actor. John Cho, who co-starred with him in the 'Star Trek' reboot, called him "curious, beautiful, courageous." "I'm in ruins," he added.

Guillermo del Toro, who was set to direct Yelchin as part of the voice cast for the upcoming 'Trollhunters,' called Yelchin "a great creative partner and artist."

"Our hearts are heavy with this tragic news and Anton's family and friends are in our thoughts," said 'Trollhunters' producers Netflix and DreamWorks Animation in a statement."

Yelchin, a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new ‘Star Trek’ films.

Son of professional figure skaters, Yelchin began his acting career as a child, doing small roles in various television shows such as ‘The Practice’, ‘ER’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’.

His breakout big-screen role came opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001’s ‘Hearts in Atlantis’.


Reuters

He transitioned into teenage roles in films such as the crime thriller ‘Alpha Dog’ and the teen comedy ‘Charlie Bartlett’. He also played a young Kyle Reese in 2009's ‘Terminator Salvation’.

“I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff. There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing,” Yelchin told The Associated Press in 2011 while promoting the romantic drama ‘Like Crazy’.

His biggest role to date has been in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ films as the heavily accented navigator Chekov, for which he was able to draw on his Russian roots.


Reutuers

The third film in the series, ‘Star Trek Beyond’, comes out in July, which has extensively been filmed in Dubai.

During the press meet for the film in Dubai, held last October, the shy and reserved Yelchin spoke briefly about his excitement of being in Dubai and working as one of the youngest cast members amoongst his co-stars that included Simon Pegg, Chris Pine and Idris Elba.

The actor's publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed his death and said his family requests privacy.