Star Trek's Anton Yelchin Dead at Age 27: Co-Stars and Other Celebs Mourn Actor

The 27-year-old actor, who played Chekov in the new movies, died in a car accident in his own driveway

By Corinne Heller Jun 19, 2016 7:23 PMTags
Anton Yelchin, Star TrekParamount Pictures

Anton Yelchin will be dearly missed by his Star Trek family, other co-stars and fans.

The 27-year-old actor, who played Chekov in the new movies, died in a car accident in his own driveway early Sunday. Several of his Star Trek co-stars took to social media to pay tribute to their friend.

"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," Zachary Quinto wrote on Instagram. "All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief."

The actor plays main character Spock in the films, including the upcoming sequel Star Trek Beyond, which has already completed production and is set for release in July.

"I loved Anton Yelchin so much," John Cho, who plays Sulu, wrote on Twitter, minutes after the news broke. "He was a true artist—curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins."

Yelchin, an only child of Russian descent, is survived by his parents.

"Please send your love to Anton's family right now. They need it," Cho said.

"I can't believe it , I'm f--kn hurting bad!" tweeted Karl Urban, who plays gruff doctor Bones in the Star Trek films.

Zoe Saldana, who plays Uhura, had just landed in Cuba when she heard about Yelchin's passing.

"She is beyond devastated and first and foremost her heart and prayers are with the Yelchin family during this time," he rep said in a statement to E! News.

Susan Sarandon, who co-starred with Yelchin in the 2008 film Middle of Nowhere, took to Facebook to write: "Anton Yelchin was an original. One of the most curious, funny, sweet people I've ever known. He was a searcher, an incredible talent and a loyal and loving son. Any time would be too soon for his departure from this plane, but this is an unforgivable and unbearable loss. My heart and prayers goes out to his family. I can't even imagine what they are feeling."

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Anton Yelchin, Star Trek's Chekov, Dies in a Car Accident at Age 27

Star Trek Beyond director Justin Lin wrote, "Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you."

Paramount Pictures, the film's studio, said in a statement to E! News, "All of us at Paramount join the world in mourning the untimely passing of Antony 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."

A tribute to Yelchin was also posted on the official Star Trek website.

"Please join StarTrek.com in offering our condolences to Yelchin's family, friends, colleagues and fans," the message read.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

LeVar Burton, who played Geordi La Forge on the show Star Trek: The Next Generation and its movies, also commented about the sad news.

"OMG... Nooooo!" Burton tweeted.

"I was hoping this wasn't true. Such a talented young actor taken way too soon. Very sad," wrote Michael Dorn, who played Worf.

"Oh my God," wrote Wil Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher.

Chris Doohan, who played a Starfleet officer in the first two new Star Trek films and stars in the fan-created series Star Trek Continues, tweeted, "I am so saddened by the death of Anton Yelchin. He was an amazing person. He always made me feel at home on the set. :(."

Adam Nimoy, whose father, original Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy died in 2015, tweeted, "Heartbreaking to hear the news today about Anton. An incredible talent, lost much too soon. He will be missed."

Justin Timberlake tweeted, "Anton Yelchin. Genius actor. Amazing human being. Gone WAY too soon.May he rest in peace."

Rest in peace Anton ????????

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

Kat Dennings, who starred with Yelchin in the 2007 movie Charlie Bartlett, said on Twitter, "Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can't say anything that conveys what this feels like."

"Devastated to hear about the brilliant Anton Yelchin," tweeted Captain America star Chris Evans, who starred with the actor in the 2005 movie Fierce People. "He was thoughtful, kind, and gifted. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Tom Hiddleston, who starred with Yelchin in the in the 2013 film Only Lovers Left Alive, tweeted. "Absolutely devastated to hear about Anton Yelchin. He was such a gifted, natural actor & a deeply kind man. My thoughts are with his family."

Olivia Wilde, who worked with Yelchin on the 2006 film Alpha Dog, said on Twitter, "Anton Yelchin was a bright, brilliant talent, and a truly kind person. I was so taken by him, and won't ever forget his sweet smile. RIP."

Other celebs who never worked with Yelchin also paid tribute to the actor.

"Anton Yelchin just died in a car wreck. So damn sad," tweeted Mallrats and Clerks director Kevin Smith. "I met him and his Mom on a plane once. They were very sweet.

Anna Kendrick called the actor's death "unreal."

"Anton Yelchin is such a talent," she wrote on Twitter. "Such a huge loss."

—Additional reporting by Maria Menounos and Noelia Murphy-Devaney

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