Anton Yelchin, A Look Back

By Reggie's Take on June 20, 2016

Anton Yelchin who passed away at the young age of 27 early Sunday morning enjoyed a brief, but successful film career as we look back on the roles he’ll be best remembered for.

Anton Yelchin who will be remembered best for his role as ensign Pavel Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek films, died early Sunday morning when his own car rolled backward down his driveway pinning Yelchin against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence.

Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters and later moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was just a baby.

One of Hollywood’s younger actors with plenty of talent and an even brighter future still a head had already landed many roles that included film as well as television before he became “Chekov” in 2009.

Having landed television roles that included ER, Curb Your Enthusiasm, NYPD Blue, Huff, Criminal Minds and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Yelchin’s film roles before 2009 included such movies as Along Came a Spider, Alpha Dog, Hearts in Atlantis, Charlie Bartlett just to name a few.

After having landed the role of “Chekov” in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, Yelchin appeared in such films as Terminator Salvation, Star Trek Into Darkness, Green Room.

Even with his tragic passing on Sunday we will still be seeing Yelchin up on the big screen a few more times. Most notably will be his reprisal of the role of “Chekov” in Star Trek Beyond due in theaters this July.

Other films yet to be released that are either completed or in post production include, Rememory, We Don’t Belong Here, Porto, and Thoroughbred.

In 2011 Yelchin was asked by StarTrek.com if he thought his version of Chekov was a bridge to the one played by Walter Koenig’s. Yelchin had this to say.

“I don’t know if it builds to Walter’s Chekov, that if we make more films then suddenly it’ll totally become that guy. I just think that I tried to capture as close as possible all of the great qualities that Walter brought to his Chekov. So I hope there’s a continuity. I don’t know if it’s necessarily an evolution, but I hope there’s a continuity where you can say, ‘Oh, yeah, I buy that person being that age.”

Yelchin’s passing drew comments on social media from the Star Trek family.

https://t.co/q8VBJBVPK3—
Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

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All of us at Paramount join the world in mourning the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin. As a member of the Star Trek family, he was beloved by so many and he will be missed by all. We share our deepest condolences with his mother, father and family.

A post shared by Star Trek Beyond (@startrekmovie) on Jun 19, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT

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our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.

A post shared by Zachary Quinto (@zacharyquinto) on Jun 19, 2016 at 12:31pm PDT

Sad news for such a talented young man. Condolences to the family of Anton Yelchin.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 20, 2016

I can't believe it , I m fckn hurting bad !

— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) June 19, 2016

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

Below is an interview with Yelchin talking about his role and the film it self for Star Trek Into Darkness.

Just a few of the movie posters and the movies that Anton Yelchin will be most remembered for during his short movie career tragically cut short.