Anton Yelchin was a talented American actor, renowned for his captivating performances in a wide range of films and television shows. Born in Leningrad, Russia, to a Jewish family, he was a six-month-old baby when he immigrated to the United States with his parents, Irina Korina and Viktor Yelchin, who were both successful professional figure skaters. His grandfather was also a skilled sportsman, a soccer player.
As a young boy, Anton demonstrated a strong sense of self-awareness and confidence, declining his parents' offer to train him in figure skating to pursue his true passion for acting. He began attending acting classes in Los Angeles, where he was eventually discovered by casting agents.
At the tender age of 10, Anton made his television debut in the medical drama ER, and at 11, he co-starred alongside Anthony Hopkins in the critically acclaimed film Hearts in Atlantis, earning himself the 2002 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film as Leading Young Actor. Throughout his illustrious career, Anton has appeared in over 20 feature films and television productions, including the highly successful Star Trek reboot and its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness.
Anton was a multifaceted individual with a wide range of interests and hobbies. He was an avid reader and enjoyed playing chess. He was also a talented musician, writing music and performing with a band, where he played piano and guitar.
Tragically, Anton's life was cut short on the evening of June 19, 2016, when his parked Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backward on his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick pillar and security fence. The investigation revealed that the accident was caused by a faulty shifter that indicated park when it was actually in neutral, leading to a recall of the affected model.
