Anton Yelchin, 1989 - 2016
Anton Yelchin, the Russian-born actor who played Chekov in the JJ Abrams Star Trek movies, has been killed in an accident at his home in Los Angeles. Details remain unclear, but it appears that the car rolled backwards down his driveway, pinning him against a brick postbox and security fence.
Yelchin was born to a pair of professional Figure Skaters in Leningrad. They brought him to America when he was still a baby, and he grew up there. His first role was in the TV series ER when he was only 11, and he acted consistently ever since. He was noted for his appearances in the series Huff, Fright Night, and Green Room amongst many others. Readers of this site will of course know him best as Chekov. Fellow actor John Cho, who played Sulu in the movies, tweeted, "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."
Yelchin was 27. Too young. Too damn young by far.
