The impact of Anton Yelchin’s tragic death is being felt throughout the Star Trek universe. The 27-year-old actor died in a freak car accident in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 19, and his costars and colleagues are mourning the loss.
“Anton — you were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented,” Star Trek director J.J. Abrams wrote in a touching note he posted to Twitter. “And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing you …”
Yelchin’s costar Zachary Quinto took to Instagram to write a poignant remembrance of his “dear 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,” he captioned a snapshot of the actor. “wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.”
Zoe Saldana‘s rep tells Us Weekly that the actress had just landed in Cuba when she “learned of this tragic news.” “She is beyond devastated and, first and foremost, her heart and prayers are with the Yelchin family during this time.”
See what other members of the Star Trek family had to say.
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016
our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people… https://t.co/zgTxXmyrbD
— Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) June 19, 2016
I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist – curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I’m in ruins.
— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) June 19, 2016
So sad to hear this news… pic.twitter.com/fyQajch5kN
— Michael Giacchino (@m_giacchino) June 19, 2016
OMG… Nooooo! RT @TrekMovie: Breaking News: Anton Yelchin dead at age 27 – https://t.co/bICL4CawJK pic.twitter.com/8ZosMVPeKZ
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) June 19, 2016
I can’t believe it , I m fckn hurting bad !
— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) June 19, 2016
I was hoping this wasn’t true. Such a talented young actor taken way too soon. Very sad. https://t.co/uaRRTJIq2w
— Michael Dorn (@akaWorf) June 19, 2016
Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.
— Justin Lin (@justinlin) June 19, 2016
As previously reported, police tell Us Weekly that the accident happened in L.A.’s Studio City at about 1:10 a.m. on Sunday, when Yelchin’s car rolled backward down his steep driveway, pinning him against his brick mailbox pillar and security fence.
The Like Crazy actor was on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal, and when he didn’t show up, his worried pals went to his home and found him by his car. According to authorities, it looked as though he had momentarily exited the car, left it in the driveway and was behind the vehicle when it rolled backward, pinning him.
In addition to his role as Chekov in the new Star Trek films, Yelchin also had roles in several smaller indie films, including Like Crazy and Charlie Bartlett. He also starred opposite Justin Timberlake in 2006’s Alpha Dog.
The third Star Trek film, Star Trek Beyond, is set for release in July.
