Anton Yelchin, 27, Has Died
Anton Yelchin, known for playing Chekov in the latest series of Star Trek films, has died, according to multiple news reports. He was 27.
Los Angeles Times reports that the actor was trapped against a brick mailbox and security gate by his vehicle after it rolled down the steep driveway of his home in Studio City, California.
Yelchin made his television debut at the age of 10 on the medical series E.R. in 2000 and his career was off and running. The following year he gained notice from his appearance in Hearts of Atlantis with Anthony Hopkins, based on a book by Stephen King. A few years later, he stood out as a hapless victim surrounded by vicious criminals in Alpha Dog and gave a charismatic performance opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Charlie Bartlett.
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Yelchin landed two iconic roles in blockbusters that were released within weeks of each other in May 2009: Chekov in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek and Kyle Reese in McG’s Terminator Salvation. The former proved to be more popular and the actor reprised his role in Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond.
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In between those blockbusters, Yelchin acted in a series of praiseworthy independent movies, such as the romantic drama Like Crazy, Jodie Foster’s The Beaver with Mel Gibson, the somewhat goofy yet endearing thriller Odd Thomas, Jim Jarmusch’s vampire drama Only Lovers Left Alive, Joe Dante’s horror comedy Burying the Ex, and the superb thriller Green Room, which came out earlier this year and earned rave reviews.
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Yelchin expertly walked a thin line between comedy and drama, navigating the differences between suspense and terror with skill and authenticity. While still a young man, he had already accomplished quite a bit in a career that still held promise for many more good things to come.
We point back nearly five years to an interview that our own Peter Hall conducted with Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Dave Franco in connection with the release of Fright Night in August 2011. The actors are relaxed and comfortable with each other in the interview setting.
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What is, perhaps, most telling is when our interviewer asks the actors for their favorite improvisation in the movie and Yelchin wants to answer first, not to promote himself, but to share his memories of what Mintz-Plasse and Franco did.
Anton Yelchin can be seen in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond, which will open in theaters on July 22.
