Anton Yelchin, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek movie franchise — including the upcoming Star Trek Beyond — has died at the age of 27.
According to The Associated Press and his publicist, the Russian-born actor died in a traffic collision. TMZ reported that he was found by friends at his home early in the morning after he was late to a rehearsal, pinned by his own car in his California driveway. Authorities say foul play is not suspected.
The actor’s fresh face and enthusiastic portrayal of the wet-behind-the-ears Chekov was a highlight in the often-divisive new take on Trek. It’s another sad day in fandom.
Terrible… God speed Yelchin