The entertainment community is in mourning once again today, as a young actor passed away far too soon.Anton Yelchin, who plays Chekov in the rebootedStar Trekmovies, including next month’sStar Trek Beyond, haspassed awayat the age of 27. While details are still coming in, the actor appears to have died from a freak car accident.
Deadlinereports that the actor was found by his friends early this morning, pinned by his car against a brick mailbox and security gate, apparently crushed to death by his own vehicle. No foul play is suspected in thiscar accident, although no further details were given. Here’s what the actor’s publicistJennifer Allanhad to say in a brief statement.
“ActorAnton Yelchinwas killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning. His family requests you respect their privacy at this time.”
TMZ reveals that the actor’s friends became alarmed because he was supposed to meet them for a rehearsal several hours earlier. They went toAnton Yelchin’s home in the San Fernando Valley home at around 1 AM and found him pinned between his car and a brick mailbox.Law enforcementofficials revealed that the car’s engine was still running and it was in neutral. It isn’t clear why the actor got out of his car, but this report also reveals that the actor’s driveway was on a fairly steep incline.
Anton Yelchinwas born on June 28, 2025 to Irina Korina and Viktor Yelchin, a pair of successful figure skaters, but he emigrated to the United States when he was just six months old. He made his acting debut at just 10 years of age on an episode of NBC’sER, and he never stopped working since then. In 2001, he had roles inDelivering Milo,15 MinutesandHearts in Atlantis, and in 2004, he landed the role of Byrd Huffstodt on the Showtime seriesHuff, which ran for two seasons.
He started to make his mark on the big screen afterHuffwent off the air withAlpha Dogand portraying the title character inCharlie Bartlett, but his career really took off when he was cast as Chekov in directorJ.J. Abrams' reboot ofStar Trek, a role he reprised in the 2013 sequelStar Trek Into Darknessand next month’sStar Trek Beyond. Other notable roles includeTerminator Salvation,Like Crazy,The Beaver,Fright Night,The Smurfs,Odd Thomas,Only Lovers Left Alive,Rudderless,Cymbeline,The Driftless Areaand this year’sGreen Room. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more about this tragic death as soon as more details come in.
