Devastating news: Anton Yelchin – the star of Green Room and Star Trek – has been killed in a car collision.
The Russian-born actor had been working steadily in film and television since 2000, and emerged from child acting roles in Hearts in Atlantis and Along Came a Spider into a charming, funny leading man in films ranging from the teen comedy Charlie Bartlett to the acclaimed independent drama Like Crazy, to the underrated horror remake Fright Night. His most recent thriller, Green Room, proved to be one of his most celebrated motion pictures.
But of course, mainstream audiences know Anton Yelchin best as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and the upcoming sequel Star Trek Beyond, which is scheduled to premiere in just one month.
Variety reports that Anton Yelchin was discovered at his home by friends after he didn’t show up to a rehearsal. He was pinned by his own car, which was still running, and in neutral. The unusual incident has yet to be fully explained.
Our hearts go out to Anton Yelchin’s friends and family in this tragic time. Anton Yelchin was a fine actor and, based on the occasions when I was fortunate enough to meet and interview him, a very sweet young man. He will be missed.
Our Favorite Anton Yelchin Movies:
Photo by Paul Redmond/FilmMagic
William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon, and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved, Rapid Reviews and What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
Our Favorite Anton Yelchin Movies
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Like Crazy (2011)
We called Drake Doremus's Like Crazy "gut-wrenchingly honest" when we declared it one of the 50 most romantic movies ever made. Anton Yelchin stars alongside Felicity Jones as starcross'd lovers fighting immigration laws to stay together.
Photo: Paramount Vintage
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Fright Night (2011)
One of the rare horror remakes that holds up to the classic original, Fright Night stars Yelchin as a teenager who suspects that his next door neighbor is a vampire. A spry screenplay, exciting action sequences and a uniformly excellent cast makes Fright Night frightfully good.
Photo: Walt Disney Studios
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The Beaver (2011)
Overshadowed by the Mel Gibson scandal at the time of its release, Jodie Foster's family drama The Beaver features heartfelt performances in service of an unusual plot: a man who overcomes his anxiety by only speaking through a hand-puppet, confusing his loved ones in the process. Anton Yelchin plays Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster's son, in the throws of adolescence, awkwardly romancing Jennifer Lawrence.
Photo: Summit Entertainment
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Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Jim Jarmusch's deeply poetic vampire story stars Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as ethereal, immortal creatures whose love spans centuries. Anton Yelchin plays one of the humans who falls into their spiderweb, but a nice, endearing one who unknowingly earns the respect and friendship of godlike creatures.
Photo: Sony Classics
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Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Anton Yelchin took over the iconic role of Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek franchise, and although he was only a part of the ensemble, his boyish enthusiasm made him a standout presence. His Russian accent may have been used as a cheap gag, but Yelchin brought a genuineness to his performance.
Photo: Paramount Pictures
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Green Room (2016)
Anton Yelchin runs afoul of neo-nazis, led by the great Sir Patrick Stewart, in this shocking and creepy thriller about a punk rock band trapped in their green room. Jeremy Saulnier's film never shies away from the brutality of the situation, making Green Room a powerful, squirmy, impressive thriller.
Photo: A24
