Actor Anton Yelchin, perhaps best known for playing Chekov in the Star Trek films, has died, his publicist confirmed. He was 27.
According to TMZ, Yelchin’s body was found early Sunday morning pinned between his car and a brick mailbox in the driveway of his San Fernando Valley home.
The car’s engine was reportedly still running when law enforcement arrived on scene. The driveway reportedly has a steep incline, and it appears the actor got out to check something and was accidentally struck by his own car. Police have reportedly ruled out foul play.
“Actor Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning,” a rep for the actor said in a statement. “His family requests you respect their privacy at this time.”
Yelchin began his career with bit parts in several television shows in the early 2000s, including in ER, The Practice and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He starred alongside Anthony Hopkins in the 2001 film Hearts in Atlantis.
His breakout roles came in 2006 and 2007, when he was cast opposite Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake in the crime drama Alpha Dog and took on the starring role opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the drama Charlie Bartlett.
He is perhaps best known for playing Chekov in the series of rebooted Star Trek films. The latest entry in the franchise, Star Trek Beyond, is due out in theaters July 22.
Yelchin’s co-star in the series, John Cho, posted his condolences to the actor on social media, calling him “a great pal and a great son.”
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
Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum
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