Star Trek's Anton Yelchin, 27, dead after accident on his driveway
Actor was on his way to a rehearsal when the accident occurred on his driveway, police say
Anton Yelchin, who starred in the Star Trek reboot franchise, died Sunday in Los Angeles after being struck by his own car on the steep driveway of his home.
The Los Angeles Police Department told CBC News that Yelchin was found pinned against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence.
"It appears he momentarily exited the car, leaving it in the driveway," said Jenny Houser, a public information officer with the LAPD. "He was behind the car at the time of the death."
Yelchin was on his way to a rehearsal when the accident happened. Friends found him after going to his Studio City home when he didn't show up after several hours.
Co-stars are shocked at the news.
Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the new Star Trek films, called Yelchin "one of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know."
Others who knew him called the actor "such a talent" and a "sweetheart."
Anton was a sweetheart. Absolutely a great creative partner and artist.
—@RealGDTThis is unreal. Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss.
—@AnnaKendrick47Yelchin played Chekov in the film Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). He will also appear in Star Trek Beyond, set to be released next month.
The Chekov in the first Star Trek series was played by Walter Koenig. Still acting, he is now 79.
Born in Russia, Yelchin began acting in the 1990s, appearing in several television and film roles. His credits also include the Steven Spielberg miniseries Taken and Only Lovers Left Alive.
Watch Yelchin's 2013 interview with CBC about Only Lovers Left Alive and how he chooses his roles below.
