Anton Yelchin, actor in 'Star Trek' films, dies in freak car accident at age 27

LOS ANGELES - Actor Anton Yelchin, perhaps best known for his role in the new "Star Trek" films, died early Sunday after his vehicle rolled down his Los Angeles driveway and trapped the actor against a brick post, authorities confirmed.

Friends went to the 27-year-old actor's gated hillside home in the Studio City section shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, when he didn't show up for a rehearsal as expected, Los Angeles Police Officer Jenny Houser told the Los Angeles Times.

Authorities believe Yelchin's vehicle rolled backward down the steep driveway, Houser said, pinning him against a brick column and security gate.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials confirmed Yelchin's death. Selena Barros, an investigator with the coroner's office, said there were "no obvious suspicious circumstances involved."

Former classmates and local media gathered Sunday afternoon outside Yelchin's English-style three-bedroom home, which is partly shielded by mature trees and tucked below a winding hillside street above Ventura Boulevard.

The black metal gate that blocked the home's sloping driveway appeared bent and damaged.

Publicist Jennifer Allen also confirmed Yelchin's death and said the actor's family has asked for privacy.

Yelchin was born in Russia, the only son of two professional figure skaters, and began acting as a child, picking up roles on television shows and independent films. He starred in the 2007 crime thriller "Alpha Dog" and was in the teen comedy "Charlie Bartlett."

But his biggest role to date was in the rebooted "Star Trek" films as the character Chekov. The third installment in the series, "Star Trek Beyond," comes out in July.

Yelchin came to the U.S. as a young child and attended a public magnet school in the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, from fourth through 12th grade, according to two former classmates who paid tribute Sunday afternoon outside Yelchin's home.

"He didn't really like the business, but he loved acting," said one of the classmates, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Yelchin, he said, admired global cinema and valued intellectually stimulating discussions on politics and philosophy.

"It was not about celebrity. He was about acting," the friend said.

Drake Doremus, who directed Yelchin in the 2011 film "Like Crazy," praised the late actor for his humor and charm and offered condolences to his family.

"Anton was one of a kind. Such an old soul who was one of the most sincere but also funniest people I have ever met," Doremus said in a statement. "He taught me what being a humble and hard working artist is all about."

Doremus added: "His laugh was the best sound in the world, it was so contagious and comforting. He was always up to something to make you laugh especially if you were getting frustrated or being too serious."

Justin Lin, director of "Star Trek Beyond,"tweeted: "Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you."

J.J. Abrams, who directed Yelchin in 2009's "Star Trek" and 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness," tweeted a photo of a handwritten note that read: "You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell. And you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you, JJ."

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(Tre'vell Anderson contributed to this report.)

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