Anton Yelchin, of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Films and TV's Huff, Dead at 27

Matt Webb Mitovich
Updated

Anton Yelchin, who plays Chekov in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek film franchise and on TV played son to Hank Azaria’s Huff, was found dead on Sunday after getting pinned between his car and his home’s security gate. He was 27.

According to TMZ, which first reported the news (since confirmed by the Associated Press), Yelchin’s body was found by friends at 1 am in the morning, after he was a no-show for a rehearsal. His body was pinned between the car, its engine in neutral and still running, and a mailbox attached to his San Fernando Valley home’s security gate, which was at the bottom of a steep incline.

“Devastated about Anton Yelchin,” Azaria shared on Twitter Sunday afternoon. “He was a very sweet kid. My heart goes out to his family.” Paget Brewster, who played Yelchin’s Huff mom, later shared, “My love and prayers go out to Irina and Viktor Yelchin,” the actor’s parents.

In addition to his run as teenage Byrd Huffstodt on Showtime’s Huff, Yelchin’s TV credits included the alien abduction miniseries Taken, The Practice and episodes of Criminal Minds, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and NYPD Blue. His film resume meanwhile also featured Odd Thomas, Fright Night, Like Crazy, Charlie Bartlett and Alpha Dog.

Yelchin was set to star as Mr. Mercedes in AT&T Audience Network’s 10-episode adaptation of the Stephen King novel. He also was announced this week as part of the voice cast for Guillermo del Toro upcoming Netflix series Trollhunters. King and Del Toro in turn reacted to the tragic news on Twitter:

Yelchin’s Star Trek family has also taken to social media to express their grief, including producer J.J. Abrams:

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